Loading...
Loading...
How to become a licensed clinical social worker in Arkansas. Clinical license: LCSW. ASWB Clinical exam required. Supervised hours: 4,000. Total initial fees: Approximately $370-$435 (application + exam + background check). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Social Worker (LCSW)
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
78% of data points are verified against official sources. 13 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
LCSW
Clinical License
Required
ASWB Exam
4,000
Supervised Hours
48 hours per renewal period for all license levels hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $370-$435 (application + exam + background check)
Total Initial Fees
Member
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
Title
Licensed Social Worker
Abbreviation
LSW
Education
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Bachelor's Examination
Supervision
Must work under supervision of a licensed social worker
Scope
Case management and supportive social work services under supervision
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Licensed Master Social Worker
Abbreviation
LMSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Master's Examination
Supervision
No supervised experience required for initial LMSW; must accumulate supervised hours if pursuing LCSW
Scope
Advanced generalist social work including case management, counseling, and specialized practice areas with greater independence
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Certified Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program plus 4,000 hours post-graduate supervised clinical experience
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination
Supervision
Independent practice -- no supervision required after licensure
Scope
Independent clinical practice including psychotherapy, diagnosis, treatment planning, and private practice
Education & Training
VerifiedBachelor's Degree
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
Master's Degree
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Required
CSWE Accredited
900
Field Placement Hours
60 graduate credit hours for MSW
Credit Hours
Social work education must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW is required for clinical licensure (LCSW). Field placement provides supervised clinical experience integral to social work training.
ASWB Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Bachelor's Exam
Required
Master's Exam
Required
Clinical Exam
Exam Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Available ASWB Exam Levels
Exam Details
170
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
ASWB Exam Fee
$230 for Bachelor's exam; $230 for Master's exam; $260 for Clinical exam
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a 90-day waiting period.
Post-Master's Supervision Requirements
VerifiedSupervised experience required for clinical license
4,000
Total Hours
Not separately specified; 4,000 hours of supervised clinical work required
Direct Client Hours
Minimum 2 years (no fewer than 24 months)
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
Board-approved LCSW with at least 3 years of full licensure
Supervision Ratio
1 hour of supervision per week; 100 direct supervision hours total over the 24-month period; 50% may be group supervision (max 4 per group); no more than 2 hours of supervision per week
Clinical social work licensure (LCSW) requires post-master's supervised experience under a qualified clinical supervisor. Supervision must include both direct client contact hours and face-to-face supervision meetings.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $100 ($105.50 online with processing fee) |
ASWB Exam Fee | $230 for Bachelor's/Master's; $260 for Clinical |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Supervision Registration Fee | Supervision Plan form required within 60 days of starting; no separate fee |
Renewal Fee | $80 biennial renewal |
Total Initial Fees | Approximately $370-$435 (application + exam + background check) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
48 hours per renewal period for all license levels hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$80
Regulatory Board
Social worker licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering topics such as ethics, cultural competency, suicide prevention, and clinical practice updates. Some states have specific mandatory CE topics that must be completed each renewal cycle.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Interstate Compact Member
Reciprocity Type
Interstate compact and endorsement
Transfer Details
Arkansas has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. License by endorsement is also available for practitioners from non-compact states who hold an equivalent active license in good standing.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
The Social Work Licensure Compact allows eligible social workers to practice across member states. States not in the compact may offer license by endorsement for out-of-state applicants with equivalent credentials and experience.
Title Protection
VerifiedArkansas protects the titles LSW, LMSW, and LCSW. Using these titles without proper licensure is a violation of state law.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedInterstate Telehealth Allowed
Telehealth permitted within state. Arkansas is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact, facilitating interstate practice once the compact is fully operational in 2026.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Arkansas are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, neglect, and elder abuse. Failure to report can result in disciplinary action and criminal penalties.
Social work scope of practice includes title protection, telehealth regulations, and mandatory reporting obligations. Clinical social workers (LCSWs) can independently diagnose and treat mental health conditions in most states.
Arkansas uses 'Licensed Certified Social Worker' (LCSW) rather than 'Licensed Clinical Social Worker' as its clinical-level designation. The state requires 4,000 supervised clinical hours -- 1,000 more than the common 3,000-hour standard. Arkansas also has a notably high CE requirement of 48 hours per biennial renewal. Supervision plans must be filed within 60 days, and group supervision is capped at 50% of total supervisory time with a maximum of 4 persons per group.
Arkansas uses 'Licensed Certified Social Worker' (LCSW) rather than 'Licensed Clinical Social Worker' for its clinical-level title.
Arkansas requires 4,000 supervised clinical hours for LCSW (higher than the national average of 3,000).
Arkansas is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
A Supervision Plan form must be submitted to the Board within 60 days of starting supervised work.
Group supervision is limited to groups of 4 or fewer and cannot exceed 50% of total supervisory time.
CE requirement of 48 hours per renewal is among the highest nationally.
The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board operates under the Arkansas Department of Health.
Social Work Compact enacted and commission activated (April 2024) but NOT yet issuing multistate licenses as of March 2026.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arkansas.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#50 of 51
Cost
#22 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Social Workers, All Other (SOC 21-1029)
Entry Level
$41,710
25th percentile
Median
$46,210
-33% vs. national avg ($69,480)Experienced
$97,360
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
680 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Social Workers, All Other" covers social workers not classified under more specific categories. Clinical social workers (LCSW) may earn differently.
Source: BLS OEWS – Social Workers, All Other (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+8.5%
High DemandNew Jobs
+7,700
over 10 years
Annual Openings
10,100
per year (avg.)
91,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Social Work Career Ladder+8% salary growth potential
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
$46,210
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$49,820
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$46,210
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
$49,820
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 420–450 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board — Licensing Requirements
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the ASWB licensing exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
ASWB exam prep, supervised experience requirements, state-by-state LCSW paths, interstate compact details, and career resources for social workers.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
Arkansas offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 4,000 hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.