At a Glance
Indiana offers three social work licenses: the LBSW (bachelor’s level), LSW (master’s level), and LCSW (clinical). Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree and a passing score on the appropriate ASWB exam. The Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board oversees all three credentials. Application fees are $50, and all licenses renew every two years.
Indiana licenses social workers at three levels, and the one you can pursue depends almost entirely on your degree. Get a BSW, and you’re on the LBSW track. Earn an MSW, and you can qualify for the LSW. Add two years of supervised clinical experience on top of that, and the MSW and the LCSW are within reach. Knowing which license fits your goals before you choose a program can save you years of unnecessary coursework. This guide walks through the requirements for each credential, the application process, what renewal looks like, and what social workers in Indiana are earning.
Indiana Social Work License Types
The Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board (BHHSLB) issues three social work credentials. Here’s how they compare at a glance.
| License |
Degree Required |
ASWB Exam |
Supervised Experience |
| LBSW |
BSW (CSWE-accredited) |
Bachelors |
Not required |
| LSW |
MSW (CSWE-accredited) |
Masters |
Not required for initial license |
| LCSW |
MSW with 24 clinical credits (CSWE-accredited) |
Clinical |
3,000 hours over 2 years post-MSW |
Each license has a distinct scope of practice. The LBSW covers generalist social work: administration, planning, research, and direct services to individuals, families, and groups. The LSW expands that scope to include specialized practice using advanced knowledge of social systems and resources. The LCSW adds the full clinical tier, including psychosocial evaluations, counseling, psychotherapeutic techniques, and the use of appraisal instruments in treatment planning.
General Licensure Requirements
All three license types share a common set of baseline requirements before the BHHSLB will issue any credential.
If you’ve completed all requirements except a pending ASWB exam, the BHHSLB offers 180-day temporary permits at each license level while you wait for your exam results.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
The LBSW is Indiana’s entry-level social work credential. It’s designed for generalist practice and doesn’t include independent clinical mental health services. LBSWs work in settings like advocacy programs, child and youth services, public health agencies, community organizations, and school systems. To apply, follow these steps.
Step 1: Earn Your BSW
Complete a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. An MSW does not qualify you for the LBSW. This license is specific to the bachelor’s level.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for licensure to the BHHSLB and pay the $50 fee. Once the Board approves your application, it will notify the ASWB that you’re eligible to sit for the exam. You must do so within one year.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Bachelors Exam
Register with the ASWB for its Bachelors-level exam. Once you pass, the ASWB notifies the BHHSLB, and your LBSW license is issued.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The LSW requires a master’s degree and opens access to a wider range of practice settings. LSWs can work with individuals, families, couples, groups, and communities using specialized clinical knowledge, though independent clinical mental health practice requires the LCSW. If you’re planning to pursue an LCSW eventually, you can start accruing your supervised hours as an LSW.
Step 1: Earn Your MSW
Complete a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for licensure to the BHHSLB and pay the $50 fee. Your application includes a Verification of Supervision form and a Verification of Employment/Experience form. If you intend to start accruing hours toward an LCSW, have these completed and submitted before you begin your supervised experience.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Masters Exam
Register with the ASWB for its Masters-level exam. Once you pass, the BHHSLB will issue your LSW license.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is Indiana’s clinical-level credential. It authorizes the full scope of clinical social work practice, including psychosocial evaluations, psychotherapeutic treatment, and the use of diagnostic appraisal instruments. This is the license required for independent clinical mental health practice in Indiana. You can learn more about the LCSW credential generally on our overview page.
Step 1: Earn a Clinically-Focused MSW
Complete a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Your MSW must include at least 24 semester credits in clinical topics across seven areas: psychopathology, clinical practice with diverse populations, clinical theory and practice, family practice, group practice, human behavior in the social environment, and practice evaluation research.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience
Accumulate at least 3,000 hours of post-MSW paid, full-time supervised social work experience over a minimum of two years. Your supervisor must be an Indiana LCSW. As of July 2024, up to 100% of required supervision can be completed virtually, provided it uses a synchronous, HIPAA-compliant audio-video platform. Phone calls, email, and text messages don’t qualify. You’ll need your supervisor to submit a Verification of Supervision form and your employer to submit a Verification of Employment/Experience form (both found in the LCSW application), and both must be submitted before hours can begin counting.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Submit an application for licensure to the BHHSLB and pay the $50 fee. Once approved, the Board will notify the ASWB that you’re eligible to sit for the exam. You must do so within one year of approval.
Step 4: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
Register with the ASWB for its Clinical-level exam. Once you pass, the BHHSLB will issue your LCSW license.
How Long Does It Take?
Indiana’s licensure pathways offer a range of timelines depending on how far you want to go. A BSW typically takes four years and qualifies you for the LBSW. Adding an MSW takes roughly two more years and opens the LSW pathway. For the LCSW, add another two years of supervised post-graduate experience, bringing the full path from high school to clinical licensure to about eight years.
Social Work Degrees in Indiana
To be eligible for any Indiana social work license, your degree must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Indiana has a range of accredited programs at the bachelor’s and master’s level, including online options.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)
A BSW is the minimum education required for the LBSW license. Indiana is home to multiple CSWE-accredited BSW programs, including online options. BSW programs typically run four years and total around 120 credits. Keep in mind that an MSW does not substitute for a BSW. If you want an LBSW, you need the bachelor’s degree specifically.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program is required for both the LSW and LCSW licenses. If you’re aiming for the LCSW, confirm that your MSW program includes at least 24 semester credits of clinical coursework across the seven required topic areas. Indiana has several CSWE-accredited MSW programs, with online and hybrid study options available.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
A PhD in social work or a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) isn’t required for licensure in Indiana. PhDs tend to be more research-focused, while DSWs concentrate on advanced clinical application. The CSWE doesn’t accredit doctoral programs.
Renewing Your License
All Indiana social work licenses (LBSW, LSW, and LCSW) expire on March 31 of even-numbered years and must be renewed every two years. To renew, you’ll need to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) per renewal cycle. The breakdown matters: at least 20 of those 40 hours must be Category I CE (formal courses, workshops, and board-approved programs), and at least 2 hours must cover ethics. The remaining hours can be Category II (self-directed learning, such as journal reading or case conferences).
If you’ve been licensed for fewer than 24 months, you only need 20 hours to renew. If you’ve been licensed for fewer than 12 months, no CE is required for your first renewal. The $50 renewal fee applies to all license types.
Reciprocity
If you hold a valid social work license in another state and meet Indiana’s education and examination requirements, you can apply for any of the three license types via reciprocity. Before you can receive an LSW or LCSW through reciprocity, you’ll need to pass Indiana’s jurisprudence exam. Note that temporary permits are not available for reciprocity applicants.
To apply, follow the standard procedure for your desired license level and include a verification of out-of-state licensure form. Have the ASWB send your exam scores directly to the BHHSLB, include page 7 of the reciprocity instructions, and submit the appropriate application:
- LBSW via reciprocity: application
- LSW via reciprocity: application
- LCSW via reciprocity: application
Social Work Salaries in Indiana
Social worker salaries in Indiana vary meaningfully by specialty. The following figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024.
| Specialty |
Median Annual Wage (Indiana) |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$48,730 |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$67,220 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$51,400 |
Healthcare social workers in Indiana tend to earn the highest wages, reflecting demand in hospital systems and integrated care settings. Nationally, the BLS projects 6% employment growth for social workers from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average across all occupations, with about 74,000 openings projected annually.
Social Work Resources in Indiana
These organizations can help you stay connected to the profession, navigate licensure questions, and access ongoing development opportunities.
Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers: The Indiana NASW chapter works to advance the professional practice of social work across the state, advocating for economic and social justice, human rights, and expanded access to services.
Indiana School Social Work Association: Since 1997, INSSWA has promoted school social work through advocacy, inter-organizational communication, and professional development.
Central Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers: Originally chartered in 1985, this chapter has a strong tradition of community, family, and organizational initiatives and collaborates with more than 50 organizations annually.
Career Opportunities in Indiana
Indiana’s social work job market spans state government agencies, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers, and public school districts. Social workers in the state find roles in child welfare, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, school-based practice, and hospital social work. Major employers include state-level public health agencies, large regional hospital networks, county school corporations, and community behavioral health organizations across Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and surrounding metro areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the LSW and LCSW in Indiana?
The LSW is a master’s-level license that allows specialized social work practice but does not include independent clinical mental health services. The LCSW adds the clinical tier (psychosocial evaluations, psychotherapeutic treatment, and diagnostic appraisal) and requires an additional two years of post-MSW supervised clinical experience on top of the MSW.
Can I get an Indiana social work license if I’m licensed in another state?
Yes. Indiana allows reciprocity for all three license types for applicants who hold a valid out-of-state license and meet Indiana’s education and exam requirements. LSW and LCSW applicants via reciprocity must also pass a jurisprudence exam. Temporary permits are not available through the reciprocity pathway.
How long does it take to become an LCSW in Indiana?
Earning an LCSW in Indiana takes approximately eight years from high school graduation: four years for a BSW or two years for an MSW (following a bachelor’s degree in any field), followed by two years of post-MSW supervised clinical experience. You’ll also need to pass the ASWB Clinical exam before the BHHSLB issues your license.
What are the continuing education requirements to renew an Indiana social work license?
All Indiana social work licenses renew every two years by March 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires 40 hours of continuing education per cycle, including at least 20 Category I hours (board-approved formal courses) and at least 2 ethics hours. Licensees with fewer than 24 months of licensure need only 20 hours. Those with fewer than 12 months have no CE requirement for their first renewal.
Do I need a BSW to get the LBSW license in Indiana?
Yes. The LBSW specifically requires a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. An MSW does not qualify you for this credential. If you’ve earned a master’s degree, you’d apply for the LSW instead.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana offers three social work licenses tied to education level: the LBSW (BSW required), the LSW (MSW required), and the LCSW (MSW with clinical coursework and 3,000 supervised hours).
- All licenses require a CSWE-accredited degree, the appropriate ASWB exam, a criminal background check, and a $50 application fee.
- The LCSW pathway now allows up to 100% of required supervision to be completed virtually as of July 2024, provided the platform is synchronous and HIPAA-compliant.
- All Indiana social work licenses renew every two years by March 31 of even-numbered years and require 40 CE hours per cycle, including at least 20 Category I hours and 2 ethics hours.
- Healthcare social workers in Indiana earn a median annual wage of $67,220 according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data, with national employment projected to grow 6% through 2034.
Ready to find a CSWE-accredited social work program in Indiana? Explore options at both the bachelor’s and master’s level to match your licensing 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 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Child, Family, and School Social Workers, Healthcare Social Workers, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.
