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How to become a licensed clinical social worker in Rhode Island. Clinical license: LICSW. ASWB Clinical exam required. Supervised hours: 3,000. Total initial fees: $355. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Social Worker (LCSW)
Governing Authority
Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (under Department of Health)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
65% of data points are verified against official sources. 20 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
LICSW
Clinical License
Required
ASWB Exam
3,000
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
CE Hours
$355
Total Initial Fees
Member
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Master's Examination
Supervision
Must work under supervision for clinical licensure track
Scope
Advanced generalist social work including clinical assessment, treatment planning, and program development
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LICSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program plus supervised clinical experience
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
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
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.
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/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
3,000
Total Hours
1,500 hours direct clinical services
Direct Client Hours
24 to 72 months (2-6 years)
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
LICSW with at least 2 years post-licensure experience
Supervision Ratio
At least 100 hours of direct 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 | $70 |
ASWB Exam Fee | $230 |
License Fee | $75 |
Supervision Registration Fee | $0 |
Renewal Fee | $120 (biennial) |
Total Initial Fees | $355 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (by May 1 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$120
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
Rhode Island offers license by endorsement for out-of-state social workers who meet equivalent requirements. ASWB exam scores are accepted from other states.
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
Mostly verifiedRhode Island protects the titles LSW, LICSW — using these titles without proper licensure is a violation of state law.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedInterstate Telehealth Allowed
Telehealth permitted. Compact member.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island uses LICSW title. Splits CE into 22 contact and 8 non-contact hours. Requires 3 hours cross-cultural practice CE. Compact member.
Rhode Island uses LICSW as clinical-level title.
30 CE per biennium: 22 contact hours + 8 non-contact.
3 hours ethics + 3 hours cross-cultural practice.
Compact member.
Social Work Compact enacted and commission activated (April 2024) but NOT yet issuing multistate licenses as of March 2026.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Rhode Island.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#4 of 51
Cost
#16 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
$90,690
25th percentile
Median
$106,910
+54% vs. national avg ($69,480)Experienced
$114,670
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
100 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)
$106,910
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$60,490
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$106,910
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
$60,490
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: Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (under Department of Health) — Licensing Requirements
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (under Department of Health) — 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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Rhode Island offers the LICSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 3,000 hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (under Department of Health).
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.