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How to become a licensed clinical social worker in Connecticut. Clinical license: LCSW. ASWB Clinical exam required. Supervised hours: 3,000. Total initial fees: LMSW: approximately $450 (application $220 + exam $230); LCSW: approximately $575 (application $315 + exam $260). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Social Worker (LCSW)
Governing Authority
Connecticut Department of Public Health -- Social Worker Licensure
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
88% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 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
3,000
Supervised Hours
15 hours per annual renewal period (first renewal exempt) hrs
CE Hours
LMSW: approximately $450 (application $220 + exam $230); LCSW: approximately $575 (application $315 + exam $260)
Total Initial Fees
Member
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Licensed Master Social Worker
Abbreviation
LMSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Master's Examination (required for applicants who earned MSW on or after January 1, 2026; exam was suspended for those who earned MSW before that date)
Supervision
No supervised experience required for initial LMSW licensure
Scope
Non-clinical social work practice including case management, program development, assessments, and social work services under general supervision; cannot practice clinical social work independently
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program plus 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination
Supervision
Independent practice -- no supervision required after licensure
Scope
Independent clinical practice including psychotherapy, diagnosis, clinical assessment, treatment planning, and private practice
Education & Training
VerifiedBachelor's Degree
Not applicable -- Connecticut requires a master's degree for social work licensure
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
VerifiedNot Required
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 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
3,000
Total Hours
Not separately specified; 3,000 total hours of post-master's social work experience required
Direct Client Hours
Minimum 2 years post-master's
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Certified Independent Social Worker
Supervision Ratio
Minimum 100 hours of face-to-face supervision over the 3,000-hour experience period
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 | LMSW: $220; LCSW: $315 (includes application and licensure fee) |
ASWB Exam Fee | $230 (Master's) or $260 (Clinical) |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Supervision Registration Fee | No separate fee |
Renewal Fee | LMSW: $125; LCSW: $200 (annual) |
Total Initial Fees | LMSW: approximately $450 (application $220 + exam $230); LCSW: approximately $575 (application $315 + exam $260) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (annually during licensee's birth month)
Renewal Period
15 hours per annual renewal period (first renewal exempt) hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
LMSW: $125; LCSW: $200
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
Connecticut has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. Multistate licenses are expected to become available in 2026. License by endorsement is also available; applicants may substitute three years of licensed clinical social work experience in another state in lieu of supervision requirements.
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
VerifiedConnecticut protects the titles LMSW and LCSW. Using these titles without proper licensure is a violation of Connecticut law. Connecticut does not have a bachelor's-level title.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedInterstate Telehealth Allowed
Telehealth permitted within state. Connecticut is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact, which will facilitate interstate telehealth practice once multistate licenses become available in 2026.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Connecticut 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.
Connecticut has an annual (not biennial) renewal cycle for social work licenses, which is less common nationally. The ASWB Master's exam requirement for LMSW was temporarily suspended and reinstated effective January 1, 2026. Connecticut requires at least 5 of 15 annual CE hours to be completed in-person or live synchronous format. Applicants can substitute 3 years of licensed out-of-state clinical experience for supervision requirements.
Connecticut has only two license levels: LMSW and LCSW. There is no bachelor's-level license.
The ASWB Master's Examination requirement for LMSW was suspended and reinstated effective January 1, 2026 for new MSW graduates.
Connecticut has an annual renewal cycle rather than biennial, with 15 CE hours required per year.
No application fee is charged separately -- the fee includes both application and licensure.
Applicants may substitute 3 years of licensed clinical social work experience in another state in lieu of Connecticut's supervision requirements.
Connecticut has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact.
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 Connecticut.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#30 of 51
Cost
#35 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
$50,630
25th percentile
Median
$68,510
-1% vs. national avg ($69,480)Experienced
$85,210
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
530 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+15% salary growth potential
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Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
$68,510
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$78,820
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$68,510
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
$78,820
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: Connecticut Department of Public Health -- Social Worker Licensure — Licensing Requirements
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health -- Social Worker Licensure — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the ASWB licensing exams.
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ASWB exam prep, supervised experience requirements, state-by-state LCSW paths, interstate compact details, and career resources for social workers.
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Connecticut offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 3,000 hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Connecticut Department of Public Health -- Social Worker Licensure.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.