At a Glance
Michigan regulates social work credentials through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the Michigan Board of Social Work. Full LBSW and LMSW licensure requires a qualifying social work degree, the appropriate ASWB exam, and 4,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience. The LMSW is Michigan’smaster ‘s-levell license and includes both clinical and macro designations.
Michigan had more than 15,000 child, family, and school social workers in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re working toward licensure in the state, the credentialing path is well-defined, and national BLS projections show continued demand across social work specialties. The Michigan Board of Social Work, operating through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), issues credentials at multiple levels. Bachelor’s- and master’s-level licenses require progressively more education and supervised experience than technician-level registration, and all require passing an exam from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Applicants should confirm current exam requirements for their credential type with LARA.
Michigan Social Work License Levels
Michigan’s licensing system ranges from technician-level registrations to master ‘s-level licenses. Here’s how each tier is structured and what it allows you to do.
Social Services Technician (SST)
The technician track is the entry point for people building toward a social work career. There are two credentials at this level. The Limited Social Services Technician (LSST) Registration is an interim status that allows you to gain supervised experience toward the full designation. The Registered Social Services Technician (RSST) is the primary credential at this tier, and it allows you to perform case-finding activities, conduct basic assessments, monitor client compliance, connect people with community resources, and provide life skills training.
The LBSW expands your scope significantly. In addition to the services covered by the SST level, you can engage in case management, including child welfare, make custody determinations, conduct psychosocial assessments, perform community organizing work, and provide pre-admission assessments for mental health facilities. The Limited Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LLBSW) is the interim credential at this level, held while you accumulate the required supervised hours.
The LMSW is Michigan’s highest social work credential. It comes in two sub-designations that reflect different practice areas.
The LMSW Macro credential is designed for social workers focused on systems-level change. It covers policy development, social welfare administration, community organizing, legislative lobbying, and supervision of other aspiring LMSW Macro practitioners. The LMSW Clinical credential covers the full clinical scope, including diagnosing mental, emotional, and substance use disorders; providing psychotherapy; planning and evaluating case interventions; directing clinical programs; and supervising other aspiring LMSW Clinical practitioners. You can hold both sub-designations if you meet the requirements for each. The Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW) is the interim credential used to accumulate experience at this level.
How to Get Your Michigan Social Work License
All Michigan social work credentials require graduation from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), though CSWE doesn’t accredit associate or doctoral programs. All applications are submitted to the Bureau of Professional Licensing at LARA. A human trafficking victim identification course is required for all new health professional licensure applicants. Michigan has also introduced implicit bias training requirements for health professionals. Applicants should verify current training obligations with LARA before applying.
Getting Your LBSW
The path to the Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker credential runs through five steps. You’ll hold the LLBSW during the experience-building phase.
Step 1: Earn Your Degree
Complete a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. Michigan has multiple CSWE-accredited BSW programs, offered both on-campus and online.
Step 2: Apply for the LLBSW
Submit your application, transcript, and fee to LARA. A criminal background check, including fingerprints, is required at this stage. The LLBSW is issued for one year and can be renewed up to six times while you build your supervised experience.
Step 3: Complete Supervised Experience
Accumulate 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised social work experience over at least two years. Your supervisor must be a fully licensemaster’s-level d social workel.
Step 4: Pass the ASWB Exam
Register with the Association of Social Work Boards and pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Level Exam.
Step 5: Apply for the Full LBSW
Submit your license application to LARA with documentation verifying completion of your supervised experience hours.
Getting Your LMSW
The process for the Licensed Master’s Social Worker credential follows the same structure as the LBSW path. The same steps apply to both the Macro and Clinical sub-designations, though your supervised experience must be in the appropriate practice area for the license type you’re pursuing.
Step 1: Earn Your Degree
Complete a master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. A doctoral degree in Social Work may also meet this requirement, but confirm current education requirements with LARA before applying. Michigan has multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs.
Step 2: Apply for the LLMSW
Submit your application to LARA. A criminal background check and fingerprints are required if you haven’t previously completed one for a Michigan health professional license. The LLMSW is valid for one year and can be renewed up to six times.
Step 3: Complete Supervised Experience
Accumulate 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience over at least two years. For the Clinical license, this must be clinical practice. For the Macro license, it must be macro-level work such as administration, policy, community organizing, or research. Your supervisor must hold the same LMSW sub-designation you’re pursuing.
Step 4: Pass the ASWB Exam
Pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam for the LMSW Macro credential, or the ASWB Clinical exam for the LMSW Clinical credential.
Step 5: Apply for the Full LMSW
Submit your license application to LARA with your supervised experience documentation.
License Renewal
Both the LBSW and LMSW expire every three years from the date of issuance. Renewal requires 45 hours of continuing education, including five hours in ethics and coursework in pain and pain symptom management. Verify the current content-hour breakdown for CE requirements with LARA before your renewal period, as these requirements can change. The RSST registration has no continuing education requirement for renewal, though limited licenses and technician registrations may have different rules. Confirm current renewal requirements with LARA.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Social Worker in Michigan?
The timeline to licensure depends entirely on which credential you’re targeting and whether you pursue your education full-time. The estimates below assume full-time degree completion and full-time supervised experience accumulation.
| Credential |
Minimum Education |
Estimated Timeline |
| LSST Registration |
2 years of college |
2 years |
| RSST Registration |
2 years of college + 2,000 hours experience |
2 years |
| LLBSW |
BSW from a CSWE-accredited program |
4 years |
| LBSW |
BSW + 4,000 supervised hours |
6 years |
| LLMSW |
MSW from a CSWE-accredited program |
6 years |
| LMSW (Macro or Clinical) |
MSW + 4,000 supervised hours |
8 years |
Social Work Degrees in Michigan
Michigan’s CSWE-accredited bachelor’s and master’s programs give you substantial options for completing the education required for licensure. Programs are available on campus and online across the state. Verify current program counts and accreditation status through CSWE before applying.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Michigan has multiple CSWE-accredited BSW programs. Graduating from one of them satisfies the education requirement for LBSW-level licensure and may support technician-level eligibility. BSW programs include at least 400 hours of supervised field education, which gives you direct exposure to social work practice in community settings before you graduate.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Michigan has multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs. An MSW satisfies the education requirement for all license levels in the state, including the LMSW. Programs include a minimum of 900 hours of field education, split between a generalist and a concentration-level placement. If you already hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, many Michigan MSW programs offer an Advanced Standing track that shortens the degree by a year.
Doctoral Programs in Social Work
A doctoral degree in Social Work also meets Michigan’s LMSW education requirement. You’ll find two formats: the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Social Work (DSW). PhDs tend to be more research-focused and take longer to complete. DSW programs are typically more practice-oriented. If you’re pursuing the LMSW Macro credential, a research-heavy PhD may align well with policy and administrative career goals. If you’re heading toward LMSW Clinical practice, a DSW with clinical emphasis could be a stronger fit.
What Social Workers Earn in Michigan
Michigan’s social work salaries track closely with national medians. According to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, child, family, and school social workers in Michigan earned a median hourly wage of $28.38, or approximately $59,000 annually. The table below shows 2024 national median wages by specialty from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which provides the most comparable specialty-level breakdown.
| Social Work Specialty |
Median Annual Wage (National, BLS May 2024) |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$68,090 |
| All Other Social Workers |
$69,480 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$60,060 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$58,570 |
Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, according to the BLS. Demand is especially strong in healthcare settings as the population ages, and in mental health and substance abuse services as access to treatment expands.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
Michigan does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states. What it does have is an endorsement process that lets out-of-state license holders apply using their existing credentials. Under current LARA rules, if you’ve held an active social work license in another state for at least 10 years, you may qualify for an LBSW or LMSW by endorsement in Michigan. If you’ve been licensed for fewer than 10 years, you’ll generally need to submit documentation verifying at least 4,000 hours of supervised work experience. Applicants should verify current endorsement requirements directly with LARA before applying, as documentation requirements can change.
Out-of-state education, exam scores, and supervised experience can all be applied toward Michigan credentials. Your out-of-state supervisor can complete the relevant LARA verification form to document your experience. You’ll use the same application form as in-state applicants, along with an out-of-state license verification form.
Resources
The following organizations provide professional support, continuing education, and advocacy resources for social workers in Michigan.
Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-Michigan) provides professional support, continuing education, advocacy, and networking for social workers across the state through local chapters. Headquartered in Lansing, NASW-Michigan works with partner organizations to promote the social work profession and shape state legislation.
Michigan Association of School Social Workers (MASSW) advocates for school social workers and the students they serve, with a focus on professional development and maintaining high standards of practice.
Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative evaluates and approves continuing education programs to ensure they meet the requirements of Michigan’s social work licensing laws.
Geriatric Social Workers of Southeast Michigan (GSWSM) promotes the niche field of geriatric social work through educational programming and professional development, with five chapter counties meeting quarterly.
Career Opportunities in Michigan
Michigan’s largest social work employers span state government, healthcare, and education. A few notable ones: The
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is the state-level agency responsible for health and human services, running programs in child welfare, behavioral health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and refugee services, among others.
Detroit Public Schools Community District is one of Michigan’s largest public school districts with roots dating to 1842. DPSCD employs social workers across a wide network of schools and professional staff serving tens of thousands of students annually.
Henry Ford Health System, founded in 1915, is a major Michigan health system employing healthcare and behavioral health professionals across multiple facilities in the greater Detroit region.
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) serves children and adults in Detroit and Wayne County through behavioral health, mental health, autism, substance abuse, and developmental and intellectual disability programs.
McLaren Health Care is a major Michigan health system with multiple hospitals and clinical facilities across the state, including the Karmanos Cancer Institute, part of Michigan’s largest cancer provider network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the LMSW Macro and LMSW Clinical licenses in Michigan?
The LMSW Macro license is for social workers focused on systems-level practice: policy development, community organizing, social welfare administration, and agency management. The LMSW Clinical license covers direct clinical practice, including diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and substance use disorders and providing psychotherapy. Both require the same educational credentials (an MSW or doctoral degree) and 4,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience. Still, the experience must be in the matching practice area, and you’ll take a different ASWB exam for each.
Do I need an LLMSW before getting my full LMSW in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan requires in-state applicants to hold the Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW) while completing the 4,000 hours of supervised experience needed for the full LMSW. The LLMSW is valid for 1 year and can be renewed up to 6 times, giving you up to 7 years to complete your experience hours before you need to convert to a full license.
Does Michigan have social work reciprocity with other states?
Michigan doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements. Instead, it offers an endorsement process. Out-of-state social workers can apply for a Michigan license using their existing credentials, experience, and ASWB exam scores. If you’ve been licensed in another state for at least 10 years, you may qualify for the LBSW or LMSW by endorsement without submitting additional experience documentation.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew my Michigan social work license?
Both the LBSW and LMSW require 45 hours of continuing education per three-year renewal cycle. At least five of those hours must be in ethics, and additional hours are required in pain and pain symptom management. Technician-level registrations and limited licenses don’t require CE for renewal.
How many CSWE-accredited social work programs are in Michigan?
Michigan has a substantial number of CSWE-accredited bachelor’s and master’s programs in social work. CSWE doesn’t accredit associate or doctoral programs, but a doctoral degree in Social Work may meet Michigan’s education requirement for LMSW licensure. Confirm with LARA and verify current program counts and accreditation status through CSWE’s program directory.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan issues multiple credential levels through LARA, including the RSST, LBSW, LMSW Macro, and LMSW Clinical. Bachelor’s- and master’s-level licenses require progressively more education and supervised experience than technician-level registration.
- Both the LBSW and LMSW require 4,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience, completed over at least two years while holding a limited license.
- The LMSW Clinical and LMSW Macro are separate sub-designations requiring different supervised experience and different ASWB exams. You can hold both if you meet the requirements for each.
- Michigan uses an endorsement process rather than formal reciprocity. Out-of-state license holders can apply using their existing credentials, experience, and exam scores.
- The BLS projects 6 percent growth in social work employment from 2024 to 2034, faster than average, with especially strong demand in healthcare and mental health settings.
Ready to find a CSWE-accredited social work program in Michigan? Browse degree options by location and format to find one that fits your path.
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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 and job market figures for social workers represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
