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Social Worker (LCSW)
Total cost: Approximately $570 (application + exam + license + supervision registration)
Governing Authority
New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
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.
LICSW
Clinical License
Required
ASWB Exam
3
Supervised Hours
30-40 hours per 2-year cycle (sources vary; some say 30, others say 40) hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $570 (application + exam + license + supervision registration)
Total Initial Fees
Member
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
MSW-Level (LMSW)
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) — confirmed as the clinical-level license
Abbreviation
LICSW
Education
Master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, plus 3,000 hours post-master's supervised clinical experience over minimum 2 years
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination
Supervision
2 years full-time OR 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice; background check required
Scope
Independent clinical practice including psychotherapy, mental health practice, diagnosis, treatment planning, and private practice
Education & Training
VerifiedBachelor's Degree
N/A (no bachelor's-level license available)
Master's Degree
MSW or DSW/PhD from CSWE-accredited program (2-year program required)
Required
CSWE Accredited
900
Field Placement Hours
60 graduate credit hours for MSW (2-year program)
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)
Available ASWB Exam Levels
Exam Details
170
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
ASWB Exam Fee
$230 for Master's; $260 for Clinical
Retake Policy
90-day waiting period between attempts
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
Browse study guides
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)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $230 for Master's; $260 for ClinicalInvest 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 clinical hours
Direct Client Hours
2 to 4 years
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
Board-approved LICSW supervisor
Supervision Ratio
100 hours supervision with at least 1 hour/week individual face-to-face
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 | $150 |
ASWB Exam Fee | $260 for Clinical |
License Fee | $135 (upon approval) |
Supervision Registration Fee | $25 (Supervisory Agreement Form fee) |
Renewal Fee | $275-$298 (biennial) |
Total Initial Fees | Approximately $570 (application + exam + license + supervision registration) |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual renewal, but 36 CE hours every 2 years (despite annual renewal)
Renewal Period
30-40 hours per 2-year cycle (sources vary; some say 30, others say 40) hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$275-$298
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
New Hampshire has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. License by endorsement is also available for practitioners from non-compact states who meet substantially similar 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.
See all Social Work Licensure Compact member states & eligibility details →
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New Hampshire with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Title Protection
VerifiedNew Hampshire protects the LICSW title under RSA 330-A. It is the only social work license available in the state. Using the title without proper licensure is a violation of state law.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedInterstate Telehealth Allowed
Telehealth permitted. New Hampshire is a compact member state.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire licenses social workers through the Board of Mental Health Practice rather than a standalone board. Uses LICSW title. Requires weekly individual face-to-face supervision during the experience period. Compact member.
New Hampshire uses LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) as its clinical-level title.
Social work licensing is under the Board of Mental Health Practice, not a standalone social work board.
40 CE hours per biennium with 6 in ethics and 3 in suicide prevention.
At least 20 of 40 CE hours must be Category A (workshops, seminars, courses).
New Hampshire is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
Social Work Compact enacted and commission activated (April 2024) but NOT yet issuing multistate licenses as of March 2026.
License types may include CSW (bachelor's, non-clinical) and LSW (master's) in addition to LICSW — verify against current Board rules
Annual renewal but CE on 2-year cycle
CSW holders cannot practice clinically
Social Worker requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire (you) | Approximately $570 (application + exam + license + supervision registration) | 420–450 wks | |
| Massachusetts | Approximately $312-$342 (application + exam for LICSW track) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Maine | Approximately $346-$376 (application + license + background check + exam fee) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Vermont | Approximately $360 (application $100 + exam $260) | 420–450 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in New Hampshire
See how New Hampshire compares: Social Worker License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ SW Compact Compact State — New Hampshire is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Licensed social workers from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
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Social Worker Schools in New Hampshire
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to New Hampshire? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Social Worker license to New Hampshire →
Transfer your Social Worker license from New Hampshire to: Maine → | Massachusetts → | Vermont →
New Hampshire offers the LICSW 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 New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC).
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.