At a Glance
Georgia licenses social workers at two levels: the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Both require a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) and passing an ASWB licensing exam. The LCSW path adds three years of supervised post-MSW experience before you qualify for the clinical exam.
Georgia is one of a small group of states that require at least a master’s degree for all social work licensure. Estimates typically place that number around nine, though exact counts shift as state licensure structures change. There’s no bachelor’s-level license here. Every licensed social worker in the state holds an MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and has passed a national exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists, operating under the Secretary of State, sets and enforces all licensing requirements. Here’s what each path looks like and what you’ll need to get there.
Two Types of Georgia Social Work Licenses
Georgia issues two social work licenses, and the difference between them lies in their clinical scope. The LMSW allows you to provide counseling and community services, but independent clinical psychotherapy requires continued supervision until you’ve met the experience threshold for the LCSW. The LCSW removes that restriction and authorizes fully independent practice in clinical settings.
| License |
Post-MSW Experience Required |
Independent Clinical Practice |
| LMSW — Licensed Master Social Worker. ASWB Master’s exam. |
First 2 years under supervision. Psychotherapy is restricted until the LCSW threshold is met. |
No — clinical psychotherapy requires supervision |
| LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker. ASWB Clinical exam. |
3 years of supervised experience required before applying |
Yes — full independent practice authorized |
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
With an LMSW, you can provide evaluation, prevention, and intervention services to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Your first two years of practice must be completed under the direction and supervision of a qualified supervisor. After that, you can practice independently in most settings, with one exception. If your practice includes counseling or psychotherapy techniques, you must continue working under supervision until you’ve met the full experience requirements to qualify for the LCSW exam. Georgia’s Board rules distinguish between directed experience (the first two years) and the broader supervised experience period, so it’s worth reviewing the specific regulatory language if psychotherapy is central to your intended practice.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is authorized to practice the full scope of social work in Georgia. You can provide psychosocial evaluations, diagnose and treat mental, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral conditions, and practice independently in private practice, healthcare, schools, and community mental health settings. LCSWs can also supervise LMSWs who are working toward their own clinical experience requirements.
How to Get Your Georgia Social Work License
Both licenses start with the same requirements: a CSWE-accredited MSW and an application through Georgia’s online licensing portal. The LMSW takes three steps. The LCSW adds three more after that.
Getting Your LMSW
Step 1: Complete a CSWE-Accredited MSW Program
Both Georgia licenses require a Master of Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Georgia currently has seven CSWE-accredited MSW programs. Standard programs take two years full-time. Advanced standing options are available for applicants with a CSWE-accredited BSW and may allow you to finish in as little as one year.
Step 2: Apply Through the Georgia GOALS Portal
Once you’ve completed your MSW, submit your LMSW application through Georgia’s GOALS online portal. Georgia no longer accepts paper applications. All applications must be submitted digitally. The fee is $100. Complete applications are reviewed at the next scheduled Board meeting; applications must be received at least 15 days before a meeting date to be added to that agenda.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Master’s Exam
After the Georgia Board approves your application, they’ll notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test. You’ll then register with ASWB to schedule the Masters-level licensing exam. Once you pass and the Board receives your results, your LMSW license is issued.
Getting Your LCSW
The LCSW requires completing all three LMSW steps first. Then you’ll add supervised experience before you can sit for the clinical exam.
Step 4: Complete Three Years of Supervised Experience
You’ll need three years of full-time post-MSW supervised experience in the practice of social work. Georgia’s rules distinguish between directed experience (the first two years, which must be under the direct supervision of a qualified employer or supervisor) and the broader supervised experience requirement for the full three-year period. A doctoral degree in social work, a closely related field, or child and family development may substitute for one year of the required experience. At least one year of qualifying experience must have occurred within the two years immediately preceding your LCSW application. Because the regulatory language around supervision periods is detailed, review Georgia Board Rule 135-5 directly to confirm your experience qualifies.
Step 5: Submit Your LCSW Application
Submit a completed, signed, and notarized LCSW application through the GOALS portal along with the $100 fee and documentation of your supervised experience. The Board reviews complete applications at scheduled Board meetings. Once approved, they’ll clear you to sit for the ASWB Clinical exam.
Step 6: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
Register with ASWB to schedule the Clinical-level exam. Passing this exam is the final step. Once the Georgia Board receives your score, your LCSW license is issued.
Social Work Degrees in Georgia
Both Georgia social work licenses require a master’s degree, but the path you take to get there can vary. Georgia has accredited programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
Georgia has 10 CSWE-accredited undergraduate Social Work programs. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) requires at least 400 hours of field education and builds a foundation in human behavior, social policy, and social welfare systems. A BSW isn’t a prerequisite for the MSW. Any bachelor’s degree can meet basic admission requirements, but a CSWE-accredited BSW often qualifies you for advanced standing admission, which can cut your MSW timeline by a year.
Master’s Degree in Social Work
Georgia has seven CSWE-accredited MSW programs. This is the minimum educational requirement for both state licenses. MSW programs require at least 900 hours of practicum experience, and the field placement is one of the strongest networking opportunities available to new social workers entering the Georgia job market. Standard programs run for two years. Advanced standing programs typically take one year for BSW graduates.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
A doctoral degree in social work (either a PhD, which is typically more research-focused, or a Doctor of Social Work (DSW), which tends to be more practice-oriented) isn’t required for licensure in Georgia. However, a doctoral degree in social work, a closely related field, or child and family development can substitute for one year of the three-year supervised experience requirement for the LCSW. The CSWE doesn’t accredit doctoral programs.
How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed in Georgia?
The fastest path to an LMSW is roughly six years: four years of undergraduate study followed by two years for the MSW. Getting the LCSW adds three more years of supervised practice, bringing the total to roughly nine years from starting college on a standard timeline. Choosing an advanced standing MSW program after a CSWE-accredited BSW can reduce that by a year.
Renewing Your Georgia Social Work License
Both the LMSW and LCSW expire on September 30th of even-numbered years, on a two-year cycle. To renew, you’ll need to complete 35 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. At least five of those hours must be in professional ethics. The renewal fee is $100. Late renewals cost $150 and are accepted only through October 31st of even-numbered years. Licenses that lapse after October 31st require formal reinstatement rather than standard renewal.
Out-of-State Licensees
Georgia doesn’t offer social work licensure by reciprocity or endorsement. There’s no automatic pathway based on holding a license in another state. That said, if you’ve already passed the appropriate ASWB exam, Georgia does allow you to apply by exam waiver, which functions similarly to endorsement in practice: you skip retaking the exam but still submit a full application, pay the $100 fee, provide two professional reference letters, and pass a background check. LCSW exam waiver applicants must also submit a post-graduate directed experience verification form. The key difference from true reciprocity is that Georgia evaluates each application independently against its own requirements. Holding a license elsewhere doesn’t guarantee approval.
Social Worker Salaries in Georgia
Social worker pay in Georgia varies by specialty, license level, and setting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national median annual wage for all social workers was $61,330 as of May 2024. Healthcare social workers consistently earn above that baseline, while child, family, and school roles tend to fall below it. The BLS projects overall employment of social workers to grow by 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 74,000 annual openings projected over the decade.
| Social Work Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage (May 2024) |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$68,090 |
| All Social Workers |
$61,330 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$59,200 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$53,940 |
Figures are national medians from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Georgia wages may differ. For state-specific data, the Georgia OEWS wage estimates provide occupation-level breakdowns by state.
Georgia Social Work Organizations
These organizations support Georgia social work professionals through advocacy, professional development, and continuing education:
Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-GA) — Made up of four regional chapters across the state, NASW-GA focuses on social justice advocacy, policy work, and professional development. Its committees address legislative issues, political action, and chapter leadership development.
Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work (GSCSW) — Founded in 1980, GSCSW supports the clinical social work community through continuing education, networking, and an annual psychodynamic-focused lecture series.
School Social Workers Association of Georgia (SSWAG) — Focused on the school-based practice community, SSWAG works to remove barriers to learning and improve student services across the state.
Georgia Social Work Oncology Group (GA-SWOG) — Founded in 1997, GA-SWOG provides professional support, continuing education, and mentorship specifically for oncology social workers in Georgia.
Career Opportunities in Georgia
Social workers in Georgia are employed across a wide range of settings: state agencies, school districts, healthcare systems, and specialty treatment organizations. These are some of the largest employers in the field statewide. If you’re also considering the counseling path, see our guide to Georgia counseling licensure requirements for a side-by-side comparison of the two credential tracks.
Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) — DHS coordinates social services across the state, covering child welfare, elder care, fatherhood support, and career services. It’s one of Georgia’s primary public-sector employers of licensed social workers and works with local partner agencies across all regions.
Atlanta Public Schools — APS operates 91 learning sites serving approximately 52,000 students across nine high school clusters. School social workers here serve one of the largest urban student populations in the Southeast.
Emory Healthcare — With 11 hospitals and more than 250 locations throughout greater Atlanta, Emory is Georgia’s largest healthcare system. It’s a major employer of healthcare and medical social workers, particularly those specializing in complex care coordination and discharge planning.
Georgia Addiction Treatment Center — Based in Peachtree City near Atlanta, this center provides partial hospitalization, outpatient treatment, and community housing for people working through alcohol and substance use recovery. Clinical social workers are a core part of their care team. For more on this career path, see our guide to Georgia substance abuse counseling certification.
Richmond County School System — Serving approximately 31,000 students in the Augusta area, RCSS is one of the largest school districts in Georgia and a significant employer of school-based social workers.
Fulton County Human Services — Covering the Atlanta metro area, this agency administers services in fair housing, financial education, homelessness, neighborhood stabilization, and community health programs with a focus on youth services.
Ray of Hope Counseling Services — Operating eight locations across Georgia, Ray of Hope serves individuals, couples, and families through traditional counseling, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychological testing, and equine therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LMSW and an LCSW in Georgia?
The LMSW lets you practice social work broadly and provide counseling services, but restricts independent use of psychotherapy techniques until you qualify for the LCSW. The LCSW is authorized to practice within the full clinical scope of practice, including independent diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral conditions. Getting the LCSW requires three years of post-MSW supervised experience beyond what is required for the LMSW.
Do I need a master’s degree to get a social work license in Georgia?
Yes. Both Georgia social work licenses require an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Georgia doesn’t issue a bachelor’s-level social work license, making it one of roughly nine states that set the bar at the master’s level for all social work licensure.
How do I apply for a Georgia social work license?
All applications go through Georgia’s GOALS online portal. Georgia no longer accepts paper applications. The fee is $100 for both the LMSW and LCSW. Submit your complete application at least 15 days before the next scheduled Board meeting to be considered at that meeting.
Does Georgia offer reciprocity for social work licenses?
No. Georgia doesn’t license social workers by reciprocity or endorsement. Out-of-state licensees who have passed the ASWB exam can apply by exam waiver, which allows you to skip the exam but still requires a full application, reference letters, a background check, and, for the LCSW, documentation of supervised experience.
How many continuing education hours are required to renew a Georgia social work license?
Both the LMSW and LCSW require 35 CE hours per two-year renewal cycle, including at least five hours in professional ethics. Licenses expire on September 30th of even-numbered years. The renewal fee is $100, or $150 during the late renewal window that runs October 1–31 of even-numbered years.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program for all social work licensure. There’s no bachelor’s-level license in this state.
- The LMSW allows broad social work practice but restricts independent clinical psychotherapy. The LCSW removes that restriction after three years of supervised post-MSW experience.
- All Georgia social work license applications are submitted through the GOALS online portal. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Georgia has no reciprocity with other states, but out-of-state licensees who have passed the ASWB exam can apply for a licensure-by-exam waiver.
- Both licenses renew every two years on September 30th of even-numbered years and require 35 CE hours, including five in professional ethics.
Ready to start your path to social work licensure in Georgia? Explore CSWE-accredited MSW programs and find options that fit your schedule and goals.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Social Workers, Healthcare Social Workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, and Child, Family, and School Social Workers represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
