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How to become a licensed clinical social worker in Indiana. Clinical license: LCSW. ASWB Clinical exam required. Supervised hours: 2 years of post-degree clinical social work experience in a clinical setting. Total initial fees: LBSW: approximately $280 (application $50 + Bachelor's exam $230); LSW: approximately $280 (application $50 + Master's exam $230); LCSW: approximately $310 (application $50 + Clinical exam $260). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Social Worker (LCSW)
Most information on this page has been verified.
82% of data points are verified against official sources. 10 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
2 years of post-degree clinical social work experience in a clinical setting
Supervised Hours
40 hours per biennial renewal period (20 Category I and 20 Category II per renewal year) hrs
CE Hours
LBSW: approximately $280 (application $50 + Bachelor's exam $230); LSW: approximately $280 (application $50 + Master's exam $230); LCSW: approximately $310 (application $50 + Clinical exam $260)
Total Initial Fees
No
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
Title
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
Abbreviation
LBSW
Education
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Bachelor's Examination
Supervision
No supervised experience required for initial LBSW licensure
Scope
Basic non-clinical social work services including case management, intake assessments, referrals, and community outreach
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Licensed Social Worker
Abbreviation
LSW
Education
BSW from CSWE-accredited program (note: Indiana uniquely requires BSW holders to pass the Master's-level exam for LSW)
Exam Required
ASWB Master's Examination
Supervision
No supervised experience required for initial LSW licensure
Scope
Advanced generalist social work including assessment, treatment planning, program development, and non-clinical social work services; can begin accumulating supervised clinical hours toward LCSW
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program plus 2 years of post-degree supervised clinical experience
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination
Supervision
Independent practice -- no supervision required after licensure
Scope
Independent clinical practice including psychotherapy, mental health diagnosis, treatment planning, clinical assessment, and private practice
Education & Training
VerifiedBachelor's Degree
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
Master's Degree
MSW from CSWE-accredited program (required for LCSW; BSW sufficient for LBSW and LSW)
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 and Master's; $260 for Clinical
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a 90-day waiting period.
Post-Master's Supervision Requirements
VerifiedSupervised experience required for clinical license
2 years of post-degree clinical social work experience in a clinical setting
Total Hours
Not specified as separate hourly requirement; 2 years of experience in clinical social work counseling of clients in a clinical setting
Direct Client Hours
Minimum 2 years (24 months)
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Supervision Ratio
At least 4 hours of face-to-face supervision per month from an LCSW, occurring over no less than 24 months
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 | $50 |
ASWB Exam Fee | $230 for Bachelor's and Master's; $260 for Clinical |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Supervision Registration Fee | Included in application |
Renewal Fee | $50 (biennial) |
Total Initial Fees | LBSW: approximately $280 (application $50 + Bachelor's exam $230); LSW: approximately $280 (application $50 + Master's exam $230); LCSW: approximately $310 (application $50 + Clinical exam $260) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (expires April 1 of even-numbered years; renew by March 31)
Renewal Period
40 hours per biennial renewal period (20 Category I and 20 Category II per renewal year) hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$50
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 reciprocity/endorsement
Transfer Details
Indiana offers license by reciprocity for out-of-state LBSW, LSW, and LCSW holders. ASWB exam scores are accepted from other states. Indiana is NOT a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
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
VerifiedIndiana protects the titles LBSW, LSW, and LCSW. Using these titles without proper licensure is a violation of Indiana state law.
Telehealth Rules
Mostly verifiedInterstate Telehealth Not Allowed
Telehealth permitted within state. Indiana is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact; out-of-state providers generally need Indiana licensure to serve Indiana clients via telehealth.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Indiana 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.
Indiana has a unique structure where BSW holders can obtain the LSW credential by passing the ASWB Master's-level exam rather than the Bachelor's exam -- a distinction from most states where LSW requires only the Bachelor's exam. Indiana's LCSW supervision is time-based (2 years) rather than hours-based (3,000 hours typical in other states), with a monthly supervision minimum of 4 hours face-to-face. Indiana also divides CE into Category I (formal education) and Category II (self-directed learning), requiring 20 hours of each type per renewal cycle. SEA 216 (2025) now allows BSW students to apply and test before graduation.
Indiana has three license levels: LBSW, LSW, and LCSW.
Indiana uniquely requires BSW holders to pass the ASWB Master's-level exam (not the Bachelor's exam) for the LSW license.
LCSW requires 2 years of post-MSW supervised clinical experience (time-based, not hours-based like many states).
At least 4 hours of face-to-face LCSW supervision per month is required during the supervision period.
If clinical hours are earned in Indiana, they must occur while holding an active LSW license or Temporary LSW Permit.
SEA 216 (effective July 1, 2025) allows BSW students in their last semester to complete their application and take the ASWB exam prior to graduation.
CE requires 40 hours per biennial period: 20 Category I (formal) and 20 Category II (self-directed), with 2 hours of Category I ethics.
Licenses expire April 1 of even-numbered years (next renewal: April 1, 2026).
Indiana is NOT a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Indiana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#18 of 51
Cost
#3 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
$62,150
25th percentile
Median
$80,410
+16% vs. national avg ($69,480)Experienced
$94,310
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
510 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)
$80,410
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$54,410
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$80,410
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
$54,410
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: Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board — Licensing Requirements
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board — 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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Indiana offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 2 years of post-degree clinical social work experience in a clinical setting hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.