Minnesota Social Work License Requirements

Social Work Licensure Resources, Minnesota

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LSW LGSW LISW Licsw

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The Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW) issues four types of social work credentials:

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) – This allows you to practice social work with your initial two years of practice under supervision, however you are not permitted to practice clinical social work.

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Steps Towards Social Work Licensure in Minnesota

To qualify for any of these credentials you’ll need:

A Social Work degree from a school that’s approved by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

To pass an exam sponsored by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

You can apply for any of the licenses online, or by mail using the forms listed below and sending them to the Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW). The application fee for all licenses is $93.25 and there is an additional $75 license fee.

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Application process:

Step One – Submit an application to the BOSW; include official transcripts from an ASWB-accredited bachelor’s of Social Work program.
Step Two – The BOSW will notify the ASWB that you can register for its exam.
Step Three – Register with the ASWB for their Bachelors exam. After you take it your scores are automatically forwarded to the BOSW.
Step Four – Pay your license fee and the BOSW will issue your license.

Renewal:

Your license expires every two years on the last day in your birth month
You can renew your license online by mail using this form; $110 fee
You need to complete 40 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle
During your first 4,000 hours of practice you must work under supervision, and confirm this by submitting a supervision verification form with your license renewal

Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)

Application process:

Step One – Submit an application to the BOSW; include official transcripts from an ASWB-accredited master’s of Social Work program.
Step Two – The BOSW will notify the ASWB that you can register for its exam.
Step Three – Register with the ASWB for their Masters exam. After you take it your scores are automatically forwarded to the BOSW.
Step Four – Pay your license fee and the BOSW will issue your license.

Renewal:

Your license expires every two years on the last day in your birth month
You can renew your license online by mail using this form; $195 fee
You need to complete 40 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle
During your first 4,000 hours of practice you must work under supervision; you must confirm this by submitting this form if you receive your supervision in non-clinical social work, and this form if you receive your supervision in clinical social work

Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

Application process:

Step One – Complete 4,000 hours of supervised non-clinical practice, as documented on this form, and submit this with your application.
Step Two – Submit an application to the BOSW; include official transcripts from an ASWB-accredited master’s of Social Work program.
Step Three – The BOSW will notify the ASWB that you can register for its exam.
Step Four – Register with the ASWB for their Advanced Generalist exam. After you take it your scores are automatically forwarded to the BOSW.
Step Five – Pay your license fee and the BOSW will issue your license.

Renewal:

Your license expires every two years on the last day in your birth month
You can renew your license online by mail using this form; $295 fee
You need to complete 40 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

Application process:

Step One – Complete 4,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, as documented on this form, and submit this with your application.
Step Two – Complete an ASWB-accredited master’s of Social Work program that includes 360 clinical clock hours in six clinical knowledge areas, as detailed on this form. Submit this and an official college transcript with your application.
Step Three – Submit a complete application to the BOSW.
Step Four – The BOSW will notify the ASWB that you can register for its exam.
Step Five – Register with the ASWB for their Clinical exam. After you take it your scores are automatically forwarded to the BOSW.
Step Six – Pay your license fee and the BOSW will issue your license.

Renewal:

Your license expires every two years on the last day in your birth month
You can renew your license online by mail using this form; $325 fee
You need to complete 40 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle

Temporary Social Work Licensure

You can apply for a temporary license for any of these credentials if you fall into one of the following categories:

You’ve graduated from a social work program (or have candidacy status) and are not licensed to practice in any state, have applied for normal licensure in Minnesota, and have completed the appropriate education and examination requirements
You’re currently a licensed social worker in another state and have applied for licensure in Minnesota
You’re currently a licensed social worker in another state and will provide services during emergency situations in Minnesota
There is a $83.25 application fee and a $50 license fee

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FAQ: How Long Does it Take to Become a Social Worker in Minnesota?

You can start practicing entry-level social work four years out of high school. It will take you a minimum of 10 years to be eligible for the highest level of social work licensure. Here is a timeline breakdown by license type:

LSW – Four years; the amount of time to earn a BSW degree
LGSW – Six years; the amount of time to earn your BSW and MSW degrees
LISW – Eight years; BSW plus MSW plus two years of supervised experience as an LGSW
LICSW – Ten years; BSW plus MSW plus two years of supervised experience to become an LISW, and as an LISW you’re qualified to complete two additional years of supervised clinical experience to be eligible for the LICSW

Social Work Degrees, Minnesota

To qualify for licensure in Minnesota you need a degree in Social Work from a school that’s accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). There are 29 such schools in Minnesota that offer a range of programs throughout the state including online and on-campus options.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)

Minnesota is home to 17 CSWE-accredited BSW programs. These typically take four years to complete and total 120 semester credits. Each CSWE-accredited BSW program includes a 400-hour field education segment where you can gain valuable experience.

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)

There are 12 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Minnesota. You can expect to invest at least two years to earn an MSW, which typically totals at least 30 semester credits at the graduate level. Part of being CSWE-accredited means every MSW program includes 900 hours of field education which allows you to see what applied classroom knowledge looks and feels like.

Doctoral Degree in Social Work

While not required for licensure, holding the highest academic degree possible in this field is advantageous. It demonstrates a strong commitment to your profession, and doctoral programs often offer specialized study in niche fields within the wider profession of social work. Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs tend to be more practice-oriented and often have a clinical component. PhDs in Social Work tend to take longer to complete and can focus more on research.

Reciprocity

You can apply for Minnesota licensure via endorsement if you have an equivalent valid social worker license in another state and meet Minnesota’s exam and experience requirements. When applying for the LICSW by endorsement, 360 clinical clock hours of education are not required. You can apply online or by mail with an application and verification of out-of-state license form.

Minnesota Social Worker Salaries

The US Department of Labor keeps tabs on the average annual salaries for the following social work career trajectories, reported here for Minnesota in 2020:

Social and Community Service Manager – $78,720
Healthcare Social Worker – $58,030
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker – $60,090
Child, Family, and School Social Worker – $56,900
Social Work Teachers, Post-secondary – $75,730
Social Worker, All Other – $62,890

Social Work Resources, Minnesota

You can find more information about licensing plus networking and career opportunities with the following organizations:

Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA) – With roots dating back over a century to 1893, today the MSSA’s 3,100-strong members work to support the wider social work and social services professions through education and advocacy.

Minnesota School Social Workers Association (MSSWA) – The goal of this agency is to remove barriers to academic success, and it recognizes that school social workers do this best by partnering with administrators, supporting teachers, engaging families, serving students, and collaborating with partner agencies.

Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-MN) – With a member base of around 2,000 social workers and students, this agency works with community partners to advocate for positive developments and promote policies and practices that advance the social work profession.

Association of Macro Practice Social Workers (AMPSW) – This agency strives to be the hub for Minnesota macro social work practitioners who want to network, compare notes, find relevant continuing education opportunities, and develop a community of support.

Minnesota Society for Clinical Social Work – This group of professionals use professional development, advocacy for ethical practices, community involvement, and legislative lobbying to advance the practice of clinical social work.

Minnesota Nursing Home Social Workers Association (MNHSWA) – A non-profit corporation that began as a small gathering of Twin City social workers in 1972, today this organization is 400-plus members strong with 10 chapters. It’s dedicated to using advocacy, support, leadership, and education to enhance total person care.

Career Opportunities in Minnesota

Some of the largest employers of social workers in Minnesota include:

Children’s Minnesota – A pediatric health system that’s one of the largest of its kind in the nation, this organization includes 12 primary care clinics, nine specialty care sites, six rehabilitation facilities, and two hospitals. It’s been an independent not-for-profit system since 1924.

Minnesota Department of Human Services – As a state-level agency, this department implements programs throughout Minnesota as well as working with local partners. It provides services related to everything from mental health assistance and substance abuse to housing, nutrition, and family wellness.

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