How to Become an LSW or LCSW

Do you enjoy working with children and families? Are you passionate about social justice and systems change? Becoming a social worker is a rewarding career choice. Social workers have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on children and families by providing support, guidance and resources that help people overcome obstacles and help improve their quality of life.

Here are the basic steps to building a career in social work:

1. Earn a degree from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program, like the MSW program at Erikson Institute.
2. Follow your state’s requirements for licensing, which may include an exam, a specific number of hours of supervised practice, license renewal and continuing education.

Read on to learn more about licensure and how an Erikson Master of Social Work (MSW) can help you on your career journey.

Q: What is an LSW and LSCW license, and how do I get one?

A social work license allows a social worker to call themselves a licensed social worker and can authorize an individual to practice social work in their state. In the state of Illinois, there are two types of licenses: a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). You can apply for your LSW, which includes a fee upon graduation from a CSWE-accredited program. Testing is no longer required in Illinois to obtain your LSW. To obtain your LCSW, you must accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised practice, pass an exam, and pay a fee. To keep your license, you must renew it every two years, pay another fee and prove that you have completed 30 hours of approved continuing education. Each state has its own requirements for levels of social work licensure, so be sure to check on your state’s requirements.

Q: What kind of work can an LSW and LCSW do?

In Illinois, an LSW is able to provide services that include case management, community organizing and group work. An individual with an LSW can also work in macro-level settings like policy and advocacy organizations or government entities. An LSW can provide clinical services, such as psychotherapy, under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (information via https://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/illinois/).

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) can provide therapy services independently, as well as offer supervision to LSWs. LCSWs can bill insurance to pay for their services.

Social workers can also specialize in areas such as child well-being, healthcare, school counseling, substance abuse treatment, or community development. This allows individuals to find a career path that aligns with their passions and interests.

Q: What is the difference between an LCPC and an LCSW?

The Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LPC) and LCSW are both mental health professionals who have earned a master’s degree. An MSW program typically educates students on the social context (community, institutional barriers or supports) that have impacted a person’s mental health in addition to mental health conditions and treatment approaches. Erikson does not offer a program that leads to LCPC licensure.

Q: How will Erikson’s MSW program prepare me to get a license?

Erikson’s MSW program offers students the required education and practicum experience and to prepare for licensure. Our program is accredited (by the Council on Social Work Education) which is one of the criteria for licensure. The coursework that students take at Erikson provides a well-rounded education to prepare graduates to take on a variety of social work roles. This education includes foundational knowledge and skills that are measured by the licensing exam.

Erikson does not offer the clinical licensing exam, which occurs two years post-graduation and is offered through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDPR). However, Erikson’s Career Services department is available to support you in applying for your license. The Director of Career Services walks our MSW students through the steps of applying for an LSW and LCSW in the state of Illinois. If you do not reside in the state of Illinois, the Career Services department will also provide assistance and guidance with obtaining licensure in your state.

Q: Do I need a license if I’m not planning to be a mental health therapist?

No, you do not need a license if you are not planning to be a mental health therapist. However, individual employers may require an LSW or LCSW, so it is a good idea to explore the need for licensure in the area you want to work. Many employers may offer a pay raise for obtaining your LCSW and some may offer to pay the fees for taking the exam, they may allow you to take the exam during company time, or they may have other ways and means of supporting their employees, like paying for license renewal and continuing education.

Q: Do I need a license to start working right after graduation?

Depending on the job requirements, an employer may want you to obtain your license as soon as possible after you graduate. Most employers understand that after graduation you need to complete your paperwork and wait for the state to review and approve your application which can take some time. In Illinois, there is no exam for LSW, so social workers can apply immediately after graduation. For the LCSW, a social worker needs 3,000 hours of supervised practice before they can sit for the exam. In Illinois, they do not need their LSW in order to apply for LCSW (but that may be changing soon).

Q: How do I get a license?

The steps for applying for your social work license will differ depending on the state in which you practice. It is important to research your state’s licensing requirements and ensure that you complete all of the necessary steps needed as well as submit all of the requested supporting documentation. This information can usually be found on your state’s licensing department’s website. Some licenses may require you to submit your application, pay a fee and take an exam before receiving your social work license. If you have additional questions, you can always reach out via phone or email to your state’s licensing department. Erikson Career Services department is also here to support Erikson alumni on their career journey.

Learn more about Erikson’s master’s degree in social work program.