At a Glance
Delaware issues three social work licenses: the LBSW (bachelor’s level), LMSW (master’s level), and LCSW (clinical practice). All require a CSWE-accredited degree, an ASWB exam, and a background check. The LCSW additionally requires post-MSW supervised clinical experience that meets Delaware Board requirements. Applications are submitted through the state’s DELPROS online system.
Delaware’s Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE) operates under the Division of Professional Regulation and oversees three license tiers, each tied to a specific education level and scope of practice. Whether you’re finishing a BSW and ready to start working, holding an MSW and preparing for the master’s exam, or building toward independent clinical practice, the path forward is laid out in Delaware code with specific requirements at every step.
This guide covers what each license allows you to do, the exact steps to obtain a license, CE renewal requirements, and current salary data from the Delaware Department of Labor. For a national overview of the licensing process, see our guide to social work licensure requirements.
License Types in Delaware
The BSWE issues three types of social work licenses, each with distinct education requirements and scope of practice. Here’s a quick comparison before we walk through each in detail.
| License |
Education Required |
Scope |
CE Hours (per cycle) |
| LBSW |
BSW (CSWE-accredited) |
Generalist practice, entry level |
20 |
| LMSW |
MSW (CSWE-accredited) |
Generalist and advanced practice, including supervised clinical work |
30 |
| LCSW |
MSW + 3,200 supervised hours |
Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, private practice |
40 |
Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW): This license allows you to engage in generalist social work practice at an entry level, including case management, advocacy, and resource coordination.
Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW): This license covers generalist and advanced social work, including specialized practice areas. LMSWs may also work in supervised clinical settings as permitted by current Board rules.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): This license authorizes independent clinical practice, including client counseling, psychotherapy, private practice, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse, and supervision of other qualified social workers.
General Requirements for All License Levels
Before applying for any license level, make sure you have the following in order. These apply regardless of which tier you’re pursuing.
- A degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) — have your school send official transcripts directly to the CSWE.
- A passing score on the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam
- An online application through the DELPROS system (Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services); the application fee is $195 at the time of writing. Verify the current fee in DELPROS before applying.
- Fingerprint background check results must be submitted to the BSWE before your license can be issued; the cost is $65. Confirm the current amount via the background check instructions.
- A completed Delaware Child Protection Registry Consent Form submitted to the Division of Professional Regulation
Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW)
The LBSW is the entry point for social work practice in Delaware. It requires a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and a passing score on the ASWB Baccalaureate exam. Delaware does not require post-degree supervised hours at this level.
Step 1: Earn Your BSW
Complete a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. Have your school send official transcripts to the BSWE.
Step 2: Apply Through DELPROS
Create an account and submit your application through the DELPROS online portal. Include your transcript, background check results, and Child Protection Registry consent form. The application fee is $195; the fingerprint background check is $65.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Bachelors Exam
Once the BSWE approves your application, it notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to take the exam. Register with the ASWB and pass the Baccalaureate-level exam. The BSWE will issue your LBSW license upon passing.
Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW opens up advanced and specialized practice, including supervised clinical work. It requires a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and a passing score on the ASWB Master’s exam.
Step 1: Earn Your MSW
Complete a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. Have your school send official transcripts to the BSWE.
Step 2: Apply Through DELPROS
Create an account and submit your application through the DELPROS online portal. Include your transcript, background check results, and Child Protection Registry consent form. The application fee is $195; the fingerprint background check is $65.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Master’s Exam
Once the BSWE approves your application, it notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to take the exam. Register with the ASWB and pass the Master ‘s-level exam. The BSWE will issue your LMSW license upon passing.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is authorized to engage in independent clinical practice in Delaware, including psychotherapy and private practice. In addition to an MSW, it requires a substantial supervised experience period before you can sit for the clinical exam.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Experience
Accumulate 3,200 hours of post-MSW clinical social work experience, including at least Board hours under professional supervision acceptable to the Board and at least 100 hours of one-on-one face-to-face supervision, completed over a minimum of two years. Your supervisor should be an LCSW. If you can’t locate one, you may also be supervised by an LMSW, licensed psychologist, or licensed psychiatrist. You must document your attempts to find an LCSW. Applicants should verify supervisor eligibility with the Board before beginning supervised hours. Have your supervisor complete a Supervisory Reference Form and submit it with your application. You can verify current licensed professionals through the DELPROS license lookup.
Step 3: Apply Through DELPROS
Create an account and submit your LCSW application through the DELPROS online portal. Include your transcript, supervisory reference form, background check results, and Child Protection Registry consent form. The application fee is $195; the fingerprint background check is $65.
Step 4: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
Once the BSWE approves your application, it notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to take the exam. Register with the ASWB and pass the Clinical-level exam. The BSWE will issue your LCSW license upon passing.
Renewing Your Social Work License
All Delaware social work licenses expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years and follow a two-year renewal cycle. The BSWE may email renewal reminders a few months before that date, but licensees are responsible for tracking renewal deadlines and keeping their contact information current in DELPROS. Renewal is processed through your DELPROS account, and you’ll attest to completing continuing education when you renew.
During your first renewal, CE hours may be prorated depending on when you were initially licensed. The standard requirements for each two-year cycle are:
- LBSW: 20 hours, including at least 6 hours in professional ethics and 1 hour in mandatory reporting
- LMSW: 30 hours, including at least 6 hours in professional ethics and 1 hour in mandatory reporting
- LCSW: 40 hours, including at least 6 hours in professional ethics and 1 hour in mandatory reporting
No more than 10 hours of CE credit per cycle may be earned through self-directed activities. Keep documentation of completed CE for at least five years in case of an audit.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Social Worker in Delaware?
You can start practicing as an LBSW within about four years of finishing high school, the typical time it takes to earn a BSW. Add roughly 2 more years to your MSW, and you’re eligible for the LMSW. With at least two years of post-MSW supervised clinical experience, you’d be eligible to sit for the LCSW, putting the full path at around eight years from the start of your undergraduate education.
Social Work Degrees in Delaware
To qualify for licensure at any level in Delaware, your degree must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Delaware offers in-state CSWE-accredited options at both the BSW and MSW levels, including online programs. Students should verify current accreditation status and delivery formats directly through CSWE and individual schools, as program offerings change.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Delaware has in-state CSWE-accredited BSW options. As with all CSWE-accredited BSW programs, these include both coursework and a supervised field education component. A BSW qualifies you for the LBSW and is the natural foundation for an MSW. Confirm current accreditation listings directly through CSWE.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Delaware offers in-state CSWE-accredited MSW programs, with both on-campus and online study options. CSWE-accredited MSW programs require a substantial field education component. An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program satisfies the education requirement for both the LMSW and LCSW. Confirm current program offerings and formats directly with CSWE and individual schools.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
The CSWE doesn’t accredit doctoral programs, and a PhD or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) won’t qualify you for additional social work licensure in Delaware. These degrees are suited for professionals pursuing research, academic roles, or senior leadership positions in their specialty areas.
Reciprocity
If you’re already licensed in another state and have passed the appropriate ASWB exam, you can apply for a Delaware social work license at the equivalent level through reciprocity. Follow the same application procedure in DELPROS and indicate that you’re applying via reciprocity.
Delaware may grant reciprocal licenses when the applicant holds a current, in-good-standing license from a jurisdiction with substantially similar standards. You’ll need to include a copy of your state’s licensing laws and rules with your application to demonstrate this. If your state’s standards aren’t substantially similar to Delaware’s, you’ll need to show qualifying practice experience for at least five of the seven years immediately preceding your application. Have the ASWB forward your exam scores to the BSWE, and have your home state board send its official license verification to the BSWE using the current Delaware Board verification instructions. If you’re coming from a neighboring state, see our guide to Maryland’s social work licensure requirements for comparison. For a full breakdown of how requirements vary by state, visit our social work license requirements by state guide.
Social Work Salaries in Delaware
The Delaware Department of Labor’s 2024 wage data shows mean annual salaries across the main social work specialty areas. Healthcare social workers earn the most among front-line specialties, while child and school social workers reflect the broader entry-level salary landscape.
| Occupation |
Mean Annual Wage |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$66,290 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$58,843 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$52,354 |
| Social Workers, All Other |
$86,778 |
Source: Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Occupational and Labor Market Information, Delaware Wages 2024. Annual figures calculated from mean hourly wages (×2,080 hours).
Professional Social Work Resources in Delaware
Delaware Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers: The Delaware NASW chapter connects members to the full resources of this 120,000-member national organization, including in-state networking, continuing education events, and updates on state-level legislative changes affecting the profession.
Delaware Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness: Founded in 1983, this chapter supports educational programs and community events that advance mental health awareness across Delaware, making it a natural partner organization for social workers in clinical and community settings.
Career Opportunities in Delaware
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS): The state’s primary social services agency, DHSS houses several divisions that employ social workers, including the Division of Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Division of Services for Aging Adults with Physical Disabilities, and Division of Developmental Disabilities Services.
Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Operating under DHSS, this division runs programs including the START initiative (Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Transformation), the Delaware Psychiatric Center, crisis intervention services, prevention programs, and court-associated treatment services.
Christina School District: One of Delaware’s largest public school districts. School social workers play an active role in addressing the district’s student support needs, including students with disabilities and those from low-income households. Confirm current enrollment figures directly with the district.
ChristianaCare: Delaware’s largest health system, with two hospitals, multiple research institutes, and a network of urgent care and satellite clinics operating across the state since 1888. Social workers are embedded throughout its inpatient, outpatient, and community health teams.
SUN Behavioral Health: Provides mental and behavioral health services for youth, teens, families, and adults, with a 90-bed inpatient psychiatric facility and outpatient programs focused on mood disorders, substance abuse, and depression.
Red Clay Consolidated School District: One of Delaware’s largest school districts, operating multiple elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, plus several magnet programs. Confirm current enrollment and staffing figures directly with the district.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an LMSW and an LCSW in Delaware?
An LMSW can practice advanced and specialized social work and can work in clinical settings under the supervision of an LCSW or other approved licensed professional. An LCSW can practice independently, provide psychotherapy, diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, and operate a private practice. The LCSW requires 3,200 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical experience before you can sit for the clinical exam.
How much does it cost to apply for a Delaware social work license?
The application fee has been $195, filed through the DELPROS online system, and the fingerprint background check fee has been $65. Verify current amounts before applying, as fees are set by the Division of Professional Regulation and may change. ASWB exam registration fees are separate and vary by exam level. Check the ASWB website for current pricing.
How often do Delaware social work licenses need to be renewed?
All Delaware social work licenses renew every two years and expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years. The BSWE emails renewal reminders a few months before the expiration date. Renewal requires attesting to completion of continuing education and is processed through your DELPROS account.
Can I transfer my social work license from another state to Delaware?
Yes. Delaware allows reciprocal licensure for social workers already licensed in another state at an equivalent level who have passed the appropriate ASWB exam. Your home state’s licensing standards must be substantially similar to Delaware’s, or you’ll need at least five years of practice at your license level. You’ll apply through DELPROS and indicate reciprocity on the application.
Who supervises an LMSW working toward LCSW in Delaware?
Your supervisor should be a Delaware-licensed LCSW. If you can’t locate one, the Board also accepts supervision from an LMSW, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed psychiatrist. The Board must document your attempts to find an LCSW using the Board’s official form and submit that documentation with your application. Verify your supervisor’s eligibility with The Board before beginning your supervised hours, as rules can change.
Key Takeaways
- Delaware licenses social workers at three levels: LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW, each tied to a specific education level and scope of practice. The LCSW is the only license that permits independent clinical practice and psychotherapy.
- All three licenses generally require a CSWE-accredited degree, an ASWB exam at the appropriate level, a DELPROS application, and required background checks. Verify current fees directly in DELPROS before applying.
- The LCSW requires 3,200 hours of post-MSW clinical social work experience over at least 2 years, including at least 100 hours of one-on-one face-to-face supervision and at least 2,100 hours under professional supervision acceptable to the Board.
- Licenses renew every two years on January 31 of odd-numbered years. CE requirements are 20 hours for LBSWs, 30 for LMSWs, and 40 for LCSWs, with 6 ethics hours and 1 mandatory reporting hour required at every level.
- Healthcare social workers earn the highest mean annual wages in Delaware at $66,290, according to the Delaware Department of Labor’s 2024 wage data.
Compare CSWE-accredited social work programs aligned with Delaware licensure requirements, including online options.
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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 Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Occupational and Labor Market Information wage data for social workers represent state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
