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Social Worker (LCSW)
Total cost: Approximately $860 (ASW registration $150 + LCSW application $250 + ASWB exam $260 + initial license $200)
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
LCSW
Clinical License
Required
ASWB Exam
3
Supervised Hours
36 hours per biennial renewal for LCSW; 7 hours HIV/AIDS, 7 hours child abuse, 15 hours alcoholism/chemical dependency; one-time: suicide risk assessment, telehealth courses; first renewal: only 18 hours required hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $860 (ASW registration $150 + LCSW application $250 + ASWB exam $260 + initial license $200)
Total Initial Fees
No
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Associate Social Worker
Abbreviation
ASW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
No exam required for ASW registration
Supervision
Must work under supervision of a BBS-approved supervisor while gaining supervised experience toward LCSW
Scope
Clinical social work services under supervision, including assessment, treatment planning, and psychotherapy while accruing hours toward LCSW
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program with specified coursework (66 semester hours for California graduates; 81 hours for out-of-state graduates)
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination and California Law and Ethics 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
No bachelor's-level social work license available in California
Master's Degree
MSW from CSWE-accredited program; 66 semester hours for California graduates (81 for out-of-state)
Required
CSWE Accredited
900
Field Placement Hours
66 hours of specific coursework (81 for out-of-state) covering: human sexuality, child abuse assessment/reporting, alcohol/chemical dependency, spousal/partner abuse, aging/long-term care, suicide risk assessment, CA law and ethics
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.
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ASWB Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Bachelor's Exam
Not Required
Master's Exam
Required
Clinical Exam
Exam Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Available ASWB Exam Levels
Exam Details
170
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
ASWB Exam Fee
$230 for Associate/Bachelors/Masters level; $260 for Advanced Generalist/Clinical level
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a 90-day waiting period.
Overall licensing difficulty: 37/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam
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Social Work Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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ASWB Social Work Exam
Questions
170 questions
Time Limit
240 minutes
Administered By
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $230 for Associate/Bachelors/Masters level; $260 for Advanced Generalist/Clinical levelInvest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the ASWB Social Work Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam
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Study guides for the ASWB licensing exams.
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Post-Master's Supervision Requirements
VerifiedSupervised experience required for clinical license
3
Total Hours
3,000 hours over minimum 104 weeks (~2 years): at least 2,000 hours clinical duties (diagnosis, assessment, treatment); at least 750 hours face-to-face individual and group psychotherapy; no more than 1,000 hours nonclinical; at least 1,200 hours client advocacy/consultation/evaluation/research; 104 weeks of supervision — 52 weeks must be face-to-face individual (at least 13 weeks with an LCSW)
Direct Client Hours
Minimum 104 weeks
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
LCSW, LMFT, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist (all must complete 15-hour supervision course)
Supervision Ratio
1 hour of individual or 2 hours of group supervision per week for each work setting
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 | Application: $250; Initial license: $200 (must request within 1 year of passing Clinical exam); Total estimated: ~$450+ in board fees alone |
ASWB Exam Fee | $260 for ASWB Clinical exam |
License Fee | $200 initial LCSW license issuance fee |
Supervision Registration Fee | Included in ASW registration ($150) |
Renewal Fee | $200 |
Total Initial Fees | Approximately $860 (ASW registration $150 + LCSW application $250 + ASWB exam $260 + initial license $200) |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedLCSW: 2-year renewal period; ASW: 1-year renewal period (confirmed via CE page language referencing 'one-year period' for registrants and 'two-year period' for licensees)
Renewal Period
36 hours per biennial renewal for LCSW; 7 hours HIV/AIDS, 7 hours child abuse, 15 hours alcoholism/chemical dependency; one-time: suicide risk assessment, telehealth courses; first renewal: only 18 hours required hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$220 (includes $20 Mental Health Practitioner Education Fund)
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
Not a Member of Interstate Compact
Reciprocity Type
License by endorsement only (not compact member)
Transfer Details
No formal reciprocity; Out-of-state via Path B — must meet all CA requirements including 66-81 coursework hours; must pass CA Law and Ethics Exam + ASWB Clinical exam; out-of-state ASWB passing scores accepted (any age)
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.
See all Social Work Licensure Compact member states & eligibility details →
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare California with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Title Protection
VerifiedCalifornia protects the titles ASW (Associate Social Worker) and LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). Using these titles without proper registration or licensure is a violation of state law.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedInterstate Telehealth Not Allowed
Telehealth permitted within state. California is NOT a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact; out-of-state telehealth requires California licensure. Effective July 1, 2023, 3 hours of telehealth CE are required for license renewal.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in California are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, neglect, and elder/dependent adult abuse under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act. Failure to report can result in misdemeanor criminal charges, fines, and disciplinary action.
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.
California has no bachelor's-level social work license and uses ASW (Associate Social Worker) registration rather than a master's-level license. ASW registration has a strict 6-year time limit. California requires a state-specific Law and Ethics Examination in addition to the ASWB Clinical exam. Out-of-state applicants face higher education requirements (81 vs. 66 semester hours) and must complete a 12-hour California Law and Ethics course. California is one of the most populous states that has NOT joined the Social Work Licensure Compact.
California does NOT have a bachelor's-level social work license.
California requires ASW (Associate Social Worker) registration before gaining supervised experience -- this is a registration, not a license.
ASW registration expires annually and has a total 6-year time limit to complete licensure requirements.
California requires TWO exams: the ASWB Clinical Examination AND a California Law and Ethics Examination.
Out-of-state applicants must complete 81 semester hours (15 more than California graduates) and a 12-hour California Law and Ethics course.
California is NOT a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
3 hours of telehealth CE are required starting with the first renewal after July 1, 2023.
Of the 3,000 required supervised hours, 2,000 must be clinical services and 750 must be face-to-face psychotherapy.
The BBS also oversees LMFTs and LPCCs.
ASW must register within 90 days of graduation to count fieldwork hours.
Subsequent ASW registrations cannot work in private practice.
Initial license must be requested within 1 year of passing Clinical exam.
Social Worker requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California (you) | Approximately $860 (ASW registration $150 + LCSW application $250 + ASWB exam $260 + initial license $200) | 420–450 wks | |
| Arizona | Approximately $520-$550 (application $250 + fingerprint $40 + exam $230-$260) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Nevada | Approximately $435 (application $50 + license $125 + exam $260) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Oregon | $520 (application + ASWB exam) | 420–450 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in California
See how California compares: Social Worker License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
California is not currently a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Social Worker licensees must apply through standard reciprocity or endorsement. See which states are in the SW Compact →
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Social Worker Schools in California
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to California? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Social Worker license to California →
California offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 3 hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.