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How to become a licensed clinical social worker in Florida. Clinical license: LCSW. ASWB Clinical exam required. Supervised hours: At least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients over no fewer than 100 weeks. Total initial fees: LCSW path: approximately $615 (RCSWI $150 + LCSW application $100 + license $105 + ASWB Clinical exam $260). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Social Worker (LCSW)
Governing Authority
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
89% 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
At least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients over no fewer than 100 weeks
Supervised Hours
30 hours per biennial renewal period (first-time renewals exempt for initial 3 years) hrs
CE Hours
LCSW path: approximately $615 (RCSWI $150 + LCSW application $100 + license $105 + ASWB Clinical exam $260)
Total Initial Fees
No
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Certified Master Social Worker
Abbreviation
CMSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
No ASWB exam required for CMSW
Supervision
No supervised experience required for initial CMSW certification
Scope
Non-clinical social work practice; cannot provide clinical services or psychotherapy independently. CMSW is a certification, not a clinical license.
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program with at least 24 semester hours of clinically oriented coursework including psychopathology, plus supervised clinical internship 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; can bill insurance directly
Education & Training
VerifiedBachelor's Degree
Not applicable -- Florida requires a master's degree for social work licensure/certification
Master's Degree
MSW from CSWE-accredited program with at least 24 semester hours of clinically oriented coursework including psychopathology
Required
CSWE Accredited
900
Field Placement Hours
60 graduate credit hours for MSW; minimum 24 semester hours of clinically oriented coursework required for LCSW
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
Not 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 Associate/Bachelors/Masters level; $260 for Advanced Generalist/Clinical level
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a 90-day waiting period.
Post-Master's Supervision Requirements
VerifiedSupervised experience required for clinical license
At least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients over no fewer than 100 weeks
Total Hours
1,500
Direct Client Hours
Minimum 100 weeks (approximately 2 years)
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
Board-approved qualified LCSW supervisor; must complete supervisor training. Supervisor and intern may use face-to-face electronic methods for up to 50% of sessions but must have in-person contact for at least 50% of interactions.
Supervision Ratio
At least 100 hours of supervision over 1,500 hours of psychotherapy; minimum 1 hour of supervision per 15 hours of client contact; at least 1 hour of supervision every 2 weeks. Group supervision must alternate with individual supervision.
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 | $230 |
ASWB Exam Fee | $260 (Clinical exam for LCSW only) |
License Fee | $105 (LCSW initial license fee) |
Supervision Registration Fee | RCSWI registration: $150 (included in RCSWI application fee) |
Renewal Fee | $105 |
Total Initial Fees | LCSW path: approximately $615 (RCSWI $150 + LCSW application $100 + license $105 + ASWB Clinical exam $260) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (LCSW expires March 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Period
30 hours per biennial renewal period (first-time renewals exempt for initial 3 years) hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
LCSW: $130; CMSW: $130
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
Transfer Details
Florida has not yet enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact as of March 2026, though HB 27 (2025) was introduced to join. License by endorsement is available for out-of-state LCSWs who meet equivalent 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
VerifiedFlorida protects the titles CMSW, RCSWI, and LCSW under Florida Statute 491. Using these titles or practicing clinical social work without proper licensure or registration is a violation of Florida law.
Telehealth Rules
Mostly verifiedInterstate Telehealth Not Allowed
Telehealth permitted within Florida. Florida has not enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, so out-of-state practitioners serving Florida residents must hold a Florida license. Supervision sessions may use telehealth for up to 50% of required interactions.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Florida are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, neglect, and elder abuse under Florida Statute 39 and 415. 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.
Florida uses the unique CMSW (Certified Master Social Worker) certification for non-clinical master's-level practice, which does not require an ASWB exam. The RCSWI (Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern) registration expires after 5 years with no option to renew. Florida requires 24 semester hours of clinically oriented coursework including psychopathology -- more specific than most states. The board jointly regulates social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling. CE is tracked through the CE Broker system.
Florida does not have a bachelor's-level social work license. The two main credentials are CMSW (non-clinical certification) and LCSW (clinical license).
Florida uses the Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern (RCSWI) registration for the supervised practice period. RCSWI expires after 5 years and cannot be renewed.
The CMSW certification does not require an ASWB exam.
Florida requires 24 semester hours of clinically oriented coursework (including psychopathology) in the MSW program for LCSW eligibility.
New LCSWs must complete HIV/AIDS (3 hours) and domestic violence (2 hours) courses within 6 months of initial licensure.
Florida's board regulates social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling together.
Florida has not yet enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (HB 27 was introduced in 2025).
CE is tracked through CE Broker system.
Supervision may use face-to-face electronic methods for up to 50% of sessions.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Florida.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#45 of 51
Cost
#50 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
$50,000
25th percentile
Median
$57,200
-18% vs. national avg ($69,480)Experienced
$85,970
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
5,070 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
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
$57,200
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$50,860
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$57,200
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
$50,860
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.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
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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Florida offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. At least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients over no fewer than 100 weeks hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.