At a Glance
Arkansas issues three social work licenses: the LSW (bachelor’s level), LMSW (master’s level), and LCSW (master’s level plus supervised clinical experience). All require a CSWE-accredited degree and passage of the corresponding ASWB exam. The LCSW is the Arkansas credential associated with independent private practice.
If you’re planning a career in social work in Arkansas, the license you need depends on the work you want to do. The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (SWLB) governs all three levels, and the path to each one is tied directly to your education and, for the LCSW, your post-degree supervised experience. This guide walks you through the requirements for each license level, the application steps, what renewal looks like, and what social workers in Arkansas earn across different practice areas. If you’re also considering a counseling credential, see our guide to Arkansas counseling license requirements.
Arkansas Social Work License Types
The SWLB issues three license levels that reflect increasing education, clinical training, and practice independence. Here’s how they compare at a glance.
| License |
Education Required |
ASWB Exam |
Independent Practice |
| LSW |
BSW from CSWE-accredited program |
Bachelors |
No |
| LMSW |
MSW from CSWE-accredited program |
Masters |
No |
| LCSW |
MSW + 4,000 hours supervised experience |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) – The LSW is an entry-level license for generalist social work practice. LSWs generally practice in organized settings under required supervision and are not authorized for independent private clinical practice. Confirm the permitted scope directly with current SWLB rules. The LSW covers a broad range of activities:
- Assessment and case management
- Community organization and advocacy
- Non-clinical counseling
- Program administration
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) – The LMSW reflects advanced graduate training and a broader scope of practice than the LSW. Like the LSW, it requires organized settings and supervision. In addition to everything an LSW can do, an LMSW can:
- Conduct treatment planning and mediation
- Gather information and make referrals
- Make diagnoses
- Provide counseling
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) – The LCSW is the highest license level in Arkansas and the credential associated with independent and private practice. LCSWs can provide assessments, diagnoses, and treatment for behavioral disorders, mental health conditions, and emotional disorders. Note that LMSWs also have a statutory scope that includes diagnosis within their permitted supervised practice settings. LCSWs can supervise LMSWs working toward their own LCSW, provided they’ve held the LCSW for at least three years.
Steps Toward Licensure
All three license levels share a set of baseline requirements: a CSWE-accredited degree, an ASWB exam, a background check, and a completed application with the required fee (verify the current fee with the SWLB before applying). From there, the path diverges depending on which license you’re pursuing.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The LSW is the starting point for most social workers in Arkansas. It requires a bachelor’s degree and the ASWB Bachelors exam.
Step 1: Earn Your BSW
Complete a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Request that your school send official transcripts directly to the SWLB.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for licensure to the SWLB with the required fee and background check. Arkansas’s standard application fee is listed as $100 in rule, but a temporary fee reduction set the filing fee at $5 from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, so applicants should verify the current fee with the SWLB before applying. Once approved, the SWLB notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW requires a master’s degree and the ASWB Master’s exam. It’s also the required starting point for anyone pursuing the LCSW, since supervised hours must be earned as a licensed LMSW. For a broader look at what the LMSW credential means in practice, including roles and salary ranges, see our LMSW career overview.
Step 1: Earn Your MSW
Complete a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Request that your school send official transcripts directly to the SWLB.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for licensure to the SWLB with the required fee and background check. Verify the current fee with the SWLB before applying. The SWLB will notify the ASWB once your application is approved.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Masters Exam
Register with the ASWB for the Masters-level exam. Once you pass, the SWLB issues your LMSW license.
Step 4: Start Your Supervision Plan (If Pursuing LCSW)
Once you have your LMSW, you can begin accruing the supervised hours required for the LCSW. Submit the Supervision Plan to the SWLB within 60 days of the start of supervision. Forms received after 60 days are counted back 60 days from the date of receipt or postmark, so submitting on time protects the full value of your hours. If your supervisor changes at any point, you’ll need to submit a new plan.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is the license you need for independent clinical practice in Arkansas. It requires the same MSW as the LMSW, plus 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience completed over at least two years.
Step 1: Earn Your MSW
Complete a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Step 2: Fulfill the Supervised Experience Requirement
Accumulate 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience as an LMSW, including at least 100 hours of direct, face-to-face supervision with your approved supervisor, over a minimum of two years. Submit the Supervision Plan to the SWLB within 60 days of the start of supervision. Forms received after 60 days are counted back 60 days from the date of receipt or postmark. Any change in supervisor requires a new plan submission before hours can continue to be counted. Once you’ve completed your hours, have your supervisor submit a Supervision Evaluation to the SWLB.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for licensure to the SWLB with the required fee. Verify the current fee with the SWLB before applying. Once approved, the SWLB notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to take the Clinical exam.
Step 4: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
Register with the ASWB for the Clinical exam. Once you pass, the SWLB issues your LCSW license.
How Long Does It Take?
A BSW typically takes four years to complete and qualifies you for the LSW. Adding two years for an MSW satisfies the education requirements for both the LMSW and LCSW. From there, you’ll need at least two more years of supervised clinical experience before you can apply for the LCSW, putting the total at roughly eight years from the start of your undergraduate education to the state’s highest license level.
Provisional Licenses
The SWLB may grant a one-year provisional license at the LSW and LMSW levels to applicants who haven’t yet passed the relevant ASWB exam. Provisional licenses are issued once, cannot be renewed, and expire after one year. They’re not available at the LCSW level.
Renewing Your License
Arkansas social work licenses expire every two years. You can renew online or by mailing a renewal application to the SWLB. Arkansas’s standard two-year renewal fee is listed as $80 in the rule, but the Board announced a temporary reduced renewal fee of $4 from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Confirm the current fee with the SWLB before submitting a renewal. To qualify for renewal, you need to complete 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year period, including three hours covering ethics. The SWLB provides a continuing education tracking form you can use to keep a record of completed hours.
Social Work Degrees in Arkansas
To qualify for licensure at any level in Arkansas, your degree must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Arkansas has a number of CSWE-accredited programs at both the BSW and MSW levels, including fully online options. Check the CSWE’s current accreditation directory for the most up-to-date list of programs available in the state, as accreditation status can change.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) – A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program is required for the LSW license. CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs have historically required minimum field education hours, commonly cited as 400 hours for baccalaureate programs; verify against the current CSWE standards before publication. BSW programs are at least 120 semester credits. Once you have a BSW, transitioning into an MSW program is often straightforward, and many programs offer advanced standing options for BSW graduates.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) – An MSW from a CSWE-accredited school is required for both the LMSW and LCSW licenses. Master’s programs have historically required a minimum field education experience commonly cited as 900 hours; verify against current CSWE standards. MSW programs are typically at least 30 semester credits. Several Arkansas programs offer the MSW partially or fully online.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work – A doctoral degree in social work, offered as either a PhD or Doctor of Social Work (DSW), won’t qualify you for a license on its own, but it’s the entry point for academic positions, high-level policy roles, and advanced research careers in the field.
Reciprocity
If you hold a social work license in another state at a comparable level and have passed the appropriate ASWB exam, you can apply for an Arkansas license through reciprocity. Follow the standard application procedures for your target license level and have your out-of-state licensing board send verification of your license directly to the SWLB. The ASWB will forward your exam scores. If you’re applying for the LCSW through reciprocity, you’ll need to demonstrate that your supervised experience was substantially equivalent to Arkansas’s requirements. You may be exempt from this if you’ve practiced as an independent LCSW for at least three years in another state.
Social Work Salaries in Arkansas
Salaries for social workers in Arkansas vary by specialty, employer type, and location. The table below reflects national median annual wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 OEWS); verify against the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics or Occupational Outlook Handbook release before publication, and compare current BLS state-level data for Arkansas-specific figures, as wages may differ from national medians by specialty and location.
| Social Work Specialty |
National Median Annual Wage |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$58,570 |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$66,420 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$55,960 |
| Social Workers, All Other |
$61,330 |
Social Work Organizations and Resources in Arkansas
Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers – The state chapter of the largest social work membership organization in the country. The Arkansas chapter is divided into branches that represent different regions of the state. Membership connects you to professional networks, continuing education options, and updates on state legislative and regulatory changes.
Mental Health Council of Arkansas – A statewide organization focused on behavioral health advocacy and provider support in Arkansas. Confirm current programs, conferences, and committee activity before publication.
Career Opportunities in Arkansas
Social workers in Arkansas work across a wide range of agencies and settings. State agencies, school districts, behavioral health providers, and substance abuse treatment centers are among the most common employers at both the entry and clinical levels.
Arkansas Department of Human Services – A major employer of social workers statewide, the Department of Human Services runs programs in children and family services, developmental disabilities, youth services, behavioral health, and more.
Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System – A community behavioral health organization providing inpatient care, family and marriage counseling, substance abuse assessments, and psychiatric services.
Little Rock School District – A major public school district in Arkansas serving students across a large number of schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. School social workers here support students’ social, emotional, and academic development. Verify current enrollment and school counts before adding specific figures.
Behavioral Health Services – A Little Rock-based agency focused on mental health and behavioral services for children in school settings, families, and parents.
Arkansas Department of Health – A state-level agency that administers programs promoting community, family, and children’s health, and provides services for residents managing chronic conditions and diseases.
Springdale Public Schools – Among Arkansas’s large public school districts by enrollment, with school social workers supporting a large and diverse student population. Verify current enrollment rankings before publication.
Recovery Centers of Arkansas – A drug and alcohol treatment provider with residential and outpatient programs, including intensive outpatient and relapse prevention services, operating across multiple locations in the Little Rock and North Little Rock areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need to open a private practice in Arkansas?
You need the LCSW to practice independently or operate a private practice in Arkansas. The LSW and LMSW both require supervision in an organized setting and don’t authorize private or independent practice.
How long does it take to become an LCSW in Arkansas?
Plan on roughly eight years total: four years for a BSW (or two to three for an MSW after a bachelor’s in another field), plus at least two years of supervised clinical experience as an LMSW. Some people complete the MSW in advanced standing programs in less time if they hold a BSW.
Do I have to be an LMSW before applying for the LCSW in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas requires you to hold an active LMSW license while accumulating the 4,000 supervised hours required for the LCSW. You can’t start counting hours toward the LCSW before you’re licensed at the master’s level.
What are the clinical supervision requirements for the LCSW in Arkansas?
You need 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience completed over at least two years, including a minimum of 100 hours of direct, face-to-face supervision. Submit the Supervision Plan to the SWLB within 60 days of the start of supervision. Forms received after 60 days are counted back 60 days from the date of receipt or postmark, so submitting on time matters. If your supervisor changes, you need to submit a new plan before you can continue counting hours.
Can I transfer my social work license from another state to Arkansas?
Yes, through reciprocity. You’ll need to have held a comparable license in your current state, passed the relevant ASWB exam, and have your out-of-state board send verification to the SWLB. For the LCSW, you must also show that your supervised experience was substantially equivalent to Arkansas’s requirements, though this may be waived if you’ve practiced as an independent LCSW for at least three years.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas issues three social work licenses. The LSW and LMSW require supervised practice in organized settings. The LCSW is the credential associated with independent private practice.
- All three levels require a CSWE-accredited degree and the corresponding ASWB exam. The LCSW adds 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience earned as an LMSW.
- Supervision planning matters. You must submit your Supervision Plan to the SWLB within 60 days of starting to accumulate LCSW hours, and any supervisor change requires a new plan.
- Licenses expire every two years. Renewal requires 30 hours of continuing education per cycle, including three hours on ethics. Verify the current renewal fee with the SWLB before renewing.
- Reciprocity is available for licensed practitioners from other states who have passed the appropriate ASWB exam at a comparable level.
Ready to take the next step toward your Arkansas social work license? Browse accredited BSW and MSW programs and find one that fits your goals.
Find Schools Near You
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
May 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Child, Family, and School Social Workers, Healthcare Social Workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, and Social Workers, All Other represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.
