Licensure Requirements for a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)

An applicant may be granted a license as a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) if he or she submits to the Board a properly-completed application for such licensure, accompanied by all of the following: (1) Satisfactory written or electronic documentation that he or she holds a master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or a degree from a foreign educational institution which is equivalent to a master’s or doctoral degree in social work as determined by the Council on Social Work Education; (2) Satisfactory written or electronic documentation that he or she has passed the Intermediate licensure examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards, or an equivalent examination as determined by the Board, not more than two years prior to the date of his or her application; (3) A minimum of three professional references, on forms furnished for that purpose by the Board or its agent, from persons familiar with the applicant’s professional experience in the field of social work, attesting that the applicant is of good moral character and has demonstrated that he or she will conduct his or her activities as a social worker in accordance with generally accepted standards of professional social work practice. One such reference shall be from the applicant’s most recent field placement supervisor, a person who is licensed by the Board as a Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, or a person who is eligible for such licensure pursuant to 258 CMR 9.03, 258 CMR 9.04 or 258 CMR 9.07; and (4) Payment of the licensure fees prescribed by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7, § 3B.