Massachusetts Social Work License Requirements

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers (BRSW) issues four types of social work credentials:

Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) – This license allows you to work as an employee and provide the following types of services under the supervision of an LSW, LCSW, or LICSW:

• Assess clients to determine their appropriate needs and services
• Help clients make use of resources to solve issues related to employment, child care, health care, housing, and financial assistance
• Gather data for social service research

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) – This license allows you to perform non-clinical social work services such as the following as an employee under the supervision of an LCSW or LICSW:

• Services covered within the LSWA scope of practice
• Non-clinical case management
• Non-clinical consultations with clients

Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) – This license allows you to provide services within the scope of practice for an LSW, and additionally to provide clinical social work services as an employee under the supervision of an LICSW.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) – This license allows you to practice independently as a clinical social worker, including as a self-employed individual.

Steps Towards Social Work Licensure in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers (BRSW) has contracted the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to handle its licensure application process. Applications for licensure are made online through the ASWB.

As part of becoming licensed at any level you’ll need to:

• Obtain official sealed academic transcripts showing you’ve fulfilled the education requirement for licensure, and submit these to the ASWB with your application.
• Obtain three professional references and submit these to the ASWB with your application.
• Pass an ASWB exam at your licensure level.
• Pay a $173 application fee.

Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)

Application process:

1. Step One – Meet the education requirement, which is completion of one of the following:

High school diploma or equivalent plus four years of relevant work experience

Associate’s degree in a human services field

2. Bachelor’s degree in any field
3. Step Two – Fill out an online application for licensure with the ASWB.
4. Step Three – Once the ASWB approves your application you’ll be able to register with the ASWB for its Associate exam. When you pass this the ASWB will notify the BRSW that it can issue your LSWA license.

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Application process:

1. Step One – Meet the education requirement, which is completion of one of the following:

High school diploma or equivalent plus 10 years (17,500 hours) of supervised social work experience

One year of college plus eight years of (14,000 hours) of supervised social work experience

Two years of college plus six years (10,500 hours) of supervised social work experience

Two-and-a-half years of college plus five years (8,750 hours) of supervised social work experience

2. Bachelor’s degree in any field plus two years (3,500 hours) of supervised social work experience

3. Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

4. Step Two – Fill out an online application for licensure with the ASWB.
5. Step Three – Once the ASWB approves your application you’ll be able to register with the ASWB for its Bachelors exam. When you pass this the ASWB will notify the BRSW that it can issue your LSW license.

Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)

• Learn more about the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Application process:

1. Step One – Meet the education requirement, which is a master’s degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree. Your education program should include a field placement experience, and your field placement supervisor must be one of your three professional references. CSWE-accredited MSW programs include a 900-hour field placement experience by default.
2. Step Two – Fill out an online application for licensure with the ASWB.
3. Step Three – Once the ASWB approves your application you’ll be able to register with the ASWB for its Masters exam. Once you pass this the ASWB will notify the BRSW that it can issue your LCSW license.
4. Step Four – Once you have your LCSW you can start accruing supervised experience under an LICSW to qualify for an LICSW license.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

Application process:

1. Step One – Meet the education requirement, which is a master’s degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree.
2. Step Two – Be an LCSW who’s fulfilled the supervised experience requirement: two years (3,500 hours) of post-LCSW clinical experience including 100 hours of face-to-face supervision.
3. Step Three – Fill out an online application for licensure with the ASWB. When submitting your three professional references, one must be from your supervising LICSW who can confirm and document that you’ve fulfilled the supervised experience requirement.
4. Step Four – Once the ASWB approves your application you’ll be able to register with the ASWB for its Clinical exam. Once you pass this the ASWB will notify the BRSW that it can issue your LICSW license.
5. Step Five – Before the BRSW can issue your license, you must enroll with MassHealth, the state’s healthcare insurance program. As an LICSW you have the option of ordering, referring, or prescribing services for MassHealth members and being reimbursed by the state insurance program. If you plan to provide these services for reimbursement you’ll need to enroll with MassHealth as a Provider. However even if you don’t plan to provide these services and request insurance reimbursement, state law still requires that you enroll with MassHealth, and in this case you would enroll as a Nonbilling Provider.

Renewing Your Social Work License

All social work licenses in Massachusetts expire every two years on your birthday. You can renew online, and you’ll need to attest to completing the requisite amount of Continuing Education Units:

• LSWA – 10 CEUs; $42 fee
• LSW – 15 CEUs; $54 fee
• LCSW – 20 CEUs; $68 fee
• LICSW – 30 CEUs; $82 fee

Social Work Degrees in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is unique among most states in that it has paths for social work licensure through education from the high-school-graduate to doctoral levels. You can qualify for licensure at several levels in Massachusetts by graduating from a school that’s approved by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the organization that also accredits most qualifying social work programs nationwide. You can find relevant education programs offered both online and on-campus.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)

Earning a BSW is a natural fit if you plan to apply for the highest levels of licensure in Massachusetts by progressing to an MSW program. Holding a BSW will qualify you for licensure as an LSW, and graduating from an CSWE-accredited program means any work experience requirements for the LSW are automatically waived. There are currently 11 CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Massachusetts, and they all include a field education segment that’s at least 400 hours.

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Earning an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program will qualify you for all levels of licensure in the state, and it’s the minimum education requirement you must have to become an LCSW or LICSW. There are 10 such programs in Massachusetts, three of which have an option for online completion and one which is offered in a hybrid format. All CSWE-accredited MSW programs include a field education segment that’s at least 900 hours, and you’ll need to obtain a professional reference from the supervisor of your field education segment.

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

Earning a DSW will qualify you for all levels of social work licensure in Massachusetts, and it’s also the highest level of education you can earn in this field. While the CSWE doesn’t accredit programs at the doctoral level, earning a DSW still represents you’ve made a commitment to expertise. Many DSW programs provide options to specialize in niche areas within the field of social work like clinical, management, education, substance abuse, and mental health.

Reciprocity

Massachusetts allows social work licensure based on reciprocity for current out-of-state social work licenses that are substantially equivalent to those issued in Massachusetts based on education, examination, and when necessary, experience. When you fill out an application for licensure with the ASWB make sure to indicate that you’re applying via reciprocity.

Social Work Salary Projections in Massachusetts

The US Department of Labor reports the following average yearly salaries for Massachusetts for the following career trajectories as of 2020. It reports that Massachusetts offers the third-highest average salary for social workers classified as “all other” from all states in the nation.

• Social and Community Service Manager – $71,140
• Healthcare Social Worker – $61,650
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker – $46,900
• Child, Family, and School Social Worker – $50,770
• Social Work Teachers, Post-secondary – $73,330
• Social Worker, All Other – $74,390

How Long Does it Take to Become a Social Worker in Massachusetts?

Once you graduate from high school you can potentially become an LSWA in as soon as two years by earning an associate’s degree in a human services field. You can meet the requirements to become an LSW in around four years post high school by earning a BSW. Earning an MSW takes at least two years beyond that, and that will qualify you to become an LCSW. Measuring from high school graduation, fulfilling the supervised experience and educational requirements to become an LICSW takes an investment of at least eight years.

Social Work Resources in Massachusetts

You can find additional information about career networking, legislation, and the latest developments in the field with organizations like:

Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – One of the largest chapters of the NASW, the Massachusetts branch was founded in 1955 and currently provides services for over 6,300 members. It’s primary mission is to advocate for professional social work practice while upholding justice for all.

Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers (GBABSW) – Founded in 1968 as one of the original chapters of the National Association of Black Social Workers, GBABSW advocates for justice, social change, and the human development of African people throughout the world and in the United States.

Massachusetts Chapter of the International Association for Social Work with Groups – This organization has been paying especially close attention to social justice as it has advocated for social group work since 1979. It’s a not-for-profit organization that promotes its goals through research, publication, practice, and education.

Career Opportunities in Massachusetts

Some of the largest and most significant employers of social workers in the state include:

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health – This state-level agency provides its own services and joins with local partners to address issues like mental and emotional disorders, substance abuse, and adult mental health problems. It offers assistance through in-patient and outpatient programs.

Boston Public Schools – With roots stretching all the way back to the mid-seventeenth century, BPS is 125-schools-strong with over 4,400 teachers, 1,860 aides, and 829 managerial support and administrators, all serving a student population that’s more than 53,000. The district holds the distinction of being home to the first public schools in the nation.

Seven Hills Foundation and Affiliates – As one of the most comprehensive and dynamic health and human services agencies in the nation, this organization has over over 190 locations throughout the state. It specializes in issues related to community support, clinical and behavioral health, and child and family support.

Behavioral Health Network – With 39 locations currently throughout the state, this network of agencies provides invaluable services to thousands of clients every year. It provides vital assistance for issues related to addiction and recovery, intellectual and developmental disabilities, emergency services, and counseling and wellness.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health – This state-level agency effects positive change through social services and mental health resources. Sub-branches include its Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, Bureau of Community Health and Prevention, Office of Health Equity, Bureau of Community Health and Prevention, and Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition.

Worcester Public Schools – As the second-largest school district in the state, WPS serves nearly 30,000 students annually and is comprised of 45 schools, including eight high schools, four middle schools, and 31 elementary schools.