⚠️ Important: This comparison is based on published state licensing requirements and may not reflect recent changes. Reciprocity and transfer rules change frequently and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by state licensing boards. This tool is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always contact Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) directly to confirm current transfer requirements before submitting any applications or fees.

Transfer Your Social Worker License: Arkansas → Louisiana

Everything you need to know about transferring your social worker license from Arkansas to Louisiana

Reciprocity Available

Louisiana has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, facilitating interstate practice. License by endorsement is also available for practitioners from non-compact states who meet equivalent requirements. Social worker licensed 5+ years in another state with 6,000+ hours in behavioral health may qualify for reciprocal license.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Arkansas (AR)	Louisiana (LA)
Education Requirements	Not available	Not available
Exam Requirements	Not available	Not available
Experience Requirements	Not available	Not available
Fees	application fee: $100 ($105.50 online with processing fee); aswb exam fee: $230 for Bachelor's/Master's; $260 for Clinical; license fee: Included in application fee; background check fee: Arkansas State Police fingerprint check ($37.75); supervision registration fee: Supervision Plan must be submitted on Board-approved form within 60 days; no fee specified in fee schedule for supervision plan submission.; renewal fee: $80 (cashier's check or money order only — no personal checks); total initial fees: Approximately $370-$435 (application + exam + background check); confidence: high; sources: https://socialworksupervisor.com/social-work-license/ar-lcsw-lmsw-lsw/; https://careersinpsychology.org/how-to-become-a-social-worker-in-arkansas/	application fee: $75; aswb exam fee: $260 for Clinical; license fee: Included in application fee; supervision registration fee: Included in application; background check fee: $39.25; renewal fee: $75 (annual, by August 31; $150 if late); total initial fees: Approximately $372-$402 for LCSW (application + background check + exam fee); confidence: high; sources: https://www.labswe.org/; https://www.labswe.org/renewal-instructions/
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: 2 years; CE hours: 48 hours per renewal period for all license levels; Fee: $80 (cashier's check or money order only — no personal checks)	Period: Annual renewal; credentials lapse August 31 if not renewed; cancelled if not renewed by February 28; CE hours: 20; Fee: RSW: $25; CSW/LMSW: $50; LCSW/LCSW-BACS: $75 (annually)

Data verified as of 2026-03-24. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Louisiana accepts out-of-state social worker licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.
Renewal differs: Arkansas — Period: 2 years; CE hours: 48 hours per renewal period for all license levels; Fee: $80 (cashier's check or money order only — no personal checks); Louisiana — Period: Annual renewal; credentials lapse August 31 if not renewed; cancelled if not renewed by February 28; CE hours: 20; Fee: RSW: $25; CSW/LMSW: $50; LCSW/LCSW-BACS: $75 (annually).

Next Steps

1
Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) →
2
Request credential verification from Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Arkansas board →
3
Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).
4
Submit your application to Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Louisiana Licensing Board

Board: Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE)
Website: https://www.labswe.org/
Phone: (225) 756-3470

Contact Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) to confirm current transfer requirements →

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GetLicenseMap is a research tool and does not provide legal, financial, or professional licensing advice. Licensing requirements vary by state and change frequently. Verify all information directly with your state licensing board before making licensing decisions.

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Arkansas (AR)	Louisiana (LA)
Education Requirements	Not available	Not available
Exam Requirements	Not available	Not available
Experience Requirements	Not available	Not available
Fees	application fee: $100 ($105.50 online with processing fee); aswb exam fee: $230 for Bachelor's/Master's; $260 for Clinical; license fee: Included in application fee; background check fee: Arkansas State Police fingerprint check ($37.75); supervision registration fee: Supervision Plan must be submitted on Board-approved form within 60 days; no fee specified in fee schedule for supervision plan submission.; renewal fee: $80 (cashier's check or money order only — no personal checks); total initial fees: Approximately $370-$435 (application + exam + background check); confidence: high; sources: https://socialworksupervisor.com/social-work-license/ar-lcsw-lmsw-lsw/; https://careersinpsychology.org/how-to-become-a-social-worker-in-arkansas/	application fee: $75; aswb exam fee: $260 for Clinical; license fee: Included in application fee; supervision registration fee: Included in application; background check fee: $39.25; renewal fee: $75 (annual, by August 31; $150 if late); total initial fees: Approximately $372-$402 for LCSW (application + background check + exam fee); confidence: high; sources: https://www.labswe.org/; https://www.labswe.org/renewal-instructions/
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: 2 years; CE hours: 48 hours per renewal period for all license levels; Fee: $80 (cashier's check or money order only — no personal checks)	Period: Annual renewal; credentials lapse August 31 if not renewed; cancelled if not renewed by February 28; CE hours: 20; Fee: RSW: $25; CSW/LMSW: $50; LCSW/LCSW-BACS: $75 (annually)

Data verified as of 2026-03-24. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Louisiana accepts out-of-state social worker licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.

Renewal differs: Arkansas — Period: 2 years; CE hours: 48 hours per renewal period for all license levels; Fee: $80 (cashier's check or money order only — no personal checks); Louisiana — Period: Annual renewal; credentials lapse August 31 if not renewed; cancelled if not renewed by February 28; CE hours: 20; Fee: RSW: $25; CSW/LMSW: $50; LCSW/LCSW-BACS: $75 (annually).

Next Steps

Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) →

Request credential verification from Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Arkansas board →

Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).

Submit your application to Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Transfer Your Social Worker License: Arkansas → Louisiana

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Louisiana Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages

Transfer Your Social Worker License: Arkansas → Louisiana

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Louisiana Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages