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How to become a licensed clinical social worker in New York. Clinical license: LCSW. ASWB Clinical exam required. Supervised hours: 2,000 client contact hours over 3 years (not to exceed 6 calendar years). Total initial fees: Approximately $554-$624 (application + exam + optional limited permit). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Social Worker (LCSW)
Governing Authority
New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions
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79% of data points are verified against official sources. 12 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
2,000 client contact hours over 3 years (not to exceed 6 calendar years)
Supervised Hours
36 hours per 3-year registration period (exemption for first registration period after licensure) hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $554-$624 (application + exam + optional limited permit)
Total Initial Fees
No
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
Supervision
No supervised experience required for LMSW; supervision begins for LCSW track
Scope
Social work practice including assessment, treatment planning, and program development; clinical practice requires LCSW or supervision by an LCSW
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program with at least 12 semester hours of clinical coursework acceptable to the Department, plus 3 years supervised clinical experience with 2,000 client contact hours
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination
Supervision
Independent practice -- no supervision required after licensure
Scope
Independent clinical practice including psychotherapy, diagnosis, treatment planning, and private practice
Education & Training
VerifiedBachelor's Degree
N/A (no bachelor's-level license available in NY)
Master's Degree
MSW from CSWE-accredited program; 12 semester hours of clinical coursework required for LCSW
Required
CSWE Accredited
900
Field Placement Hours
60 graduate credit hours for MSW; 12 semester hours clinical coursework 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
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 (Master's); $260 (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
2,000 client contact hours over 3 years (not to exceed 6 calendar years)
Total Hours
2,000
Direct Client Hours
3 years minimum, 6 years maximum
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
LCSW or equivalent; at least 100 hours of in-person individual or group clinical supervision distributed over the supervision period
Supervision Ratio
100 hours of in-person individual or group clinical supervision across the entire supervision 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 | $294 (licensure and first registration for both LMSW and LCSW) |
ASWB Exam Fee | $230-$260 |
License Fee | Included in $294 application fee |
Supervision Registration Fee | $70 (limited permit fee, optional) |
Renewal Fee | $148 |
Total Initial Fees | Approximately $554-$624 (application + exam + optional limited permit) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years (triennial registration)
Renewal Period
36 hours per 3-year registration period (exemption for first registration period after licensure) hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$65 (triennial)
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
Mostly verifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Not a Member of Interstate Compact
Reciprocity Type
License by endorsement
Transfer Details
New York offers license by endorsement for out-of-state social workers who meet equivalent requirements. New York has not enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact as of 2025.
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
VerifiedNew York protects the titles LMSW and LCSW. Only licensed individuals may use these titles or practice clinical social work. New York does not have a bachelor's-level social work license.
Telehealth Rules
Mostly verifiedInterstate Telehealth Allowed
Telehealth permitted within state; New York licensure required for serving NY residents. New York is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in New York 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 York specifies LCSW supervision in client contact hours (2,000) rather than total practice hours, making it appear lower but potentially equally rigorous. The $294 initial fee is among the highest nationally. New York uses a 3-year renewal cycle with 36 CE hours. Importantly, 12 semester hours of clinical coursework must be documented within the MSW degree.
New York has only two license levels: LMSW and LCSW. No bachelor's-level license exists.
LCSW requires 2,000 client contact hours over 3 years (lower total hours than most states but measured differently).
New York uses triennial (3-year) renewal with 36 CE hours (not biennial like most states).
CE exemption for the first registration period after initial licensure.
The $294 application fee is one of the highest in the country and includes first registration.
Limited permit ($70) available for supervised practice during LCSW training.
12 semester hours of clinical coursework required within the MSW for LCSW eligibility.
New York is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New York.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#22 of 51
Cost
#46 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
$61,910
25th percentile
Median
$75,020
+8% vs. national avg ($69,480)Experienced
$88,960
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,190 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+7% salary growth potential
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Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
$75,020
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$80,230
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$75,020
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
$80,230
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: New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions — Licensing Requirements
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions — 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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New York offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 2,000 client contact hours over 3 years (not to exceed 6 calendar years) hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of the Professions.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.