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Social Worker (LCSW)
Total cost: LMSW: approximately $450 (application $220 + exam $230); LCSW: approximately $575 (application $315 + exam $260)
Governing Authority
Connecticut Department of Public Health -- Social Worker Licensure (Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section)
Official website →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
15 hours per year; at least 2 hours in mental health treatment of veterans; at least 1 hour in cultural competency; retain certificates for minimum 3 years (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 until January 1, 2026 -- check if reinstated for post-Jan 2026 applicants)
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 social work experience, including 100 hours under supervision by LCSW or certified independent social worker
Exam Required
Clinical Level Examination of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
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.
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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.
Overall licensing difficulty: 34/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam
Browse study guides
Social Work Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $230 for Master's exam; $260 for Clinical examInvest 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
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 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) |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (annually during licensee's birth month)
Renewal Period
15 hours per year; at least 2 hours in mental health treatment of veterans; at least 1 hour in cultural competency; retain certificates for minimum 3 years (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; 3 years of independent clinical experience may substitute for 3,000 supervised hours.
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 Connecticut with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
LMSW is a relatively new license type
ASWB Masters exam was suspended until Jan 1, 2026
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.
Annual renewal ($195) -- higher frequency than most states
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.
Temporary employment for 120 days while completing exam requirement (if fail exam, permit void)
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.
Social Worker requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut (you) | LMSW: approximately $450 (application $220 + exam $230); LCSW: approximately $575 (application $315 + exam $260) | 420–450 wks | |
| Massachusetts | Approximately $312-$342 (application + exam for LICSW track) | 420–450 wks | → |
| New York | Approximately $554-$624 (application + exam + optional limited permit) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Rhode Island | $355 | 420–450 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Connecticut
See how Connecticut compares: Social Worker License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ SW Compact Compact State — Connecticut is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Licensed social workers from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
Compare social worker requirements across all states →
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How does Connecticut compare to other states for social worker? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your social worker license →
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Social Worker Schools in Connecticut
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Connecticut? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Social Worker license to Connecticut →
Transfer your Social Worker license from Connecticut to: Massachusetts → | New York → | Rhode Island →
Connecticut 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 Connecticut Department of Public Health -- Social Worker Licensure (Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section).
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.