At a Glance
Montana’s Board of Behavioral Health issues three social work licenses: the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree, a period of supervised experience, passage of the appropriate ASWB exam, and a fingerprint background check.
Montana added two new social work license levels in 2019, the LBSW and LMSW, expanding a system that had previously offered only the LCSW. That change opened a clearer path for bachelor’s- and master’s-level social workers who weren’t pursuing clinical licensure. If you’re figuring out which license fits your goals and how to get there, this page walks through each credential’s requirements, the step-by-step process, and what you can expect to earn.
Montana Social Work License Types
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Board of Behavioral Health (BBH) issues all social work credentials in the state. There are three license levels, each tied to a specific degree and scope of practice.
| License |
Required Degree |
Supervised Hours |
ASWB Exam |
| LBSW |
BSW (CSWE-accredited) |
2,000 post-baccalaureate |
Bachelor’s |
| LMSW |
MSW (CSWE-accredited) |
2,000 post-graduate |
Master’s |
| LCSW |
MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) |
3,000 post-graduate (incl. 1,500 direct client) |
Clinical |
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
The Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) is an entry-level credential for social workers with a bachelor’s degree. With this license, you can provide information and referrals, explain the psychosocial aspects of situations affecting individuals, groups, and families, deliver health and social services, conduct social work research, and work with communities on organization and education. It’s a solid starting point if you plan to earn your MSW later, since the supervised experience you log counts toward a career foundation even if the specific hours don’t transfer.
Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW covers everything in the LBSW scope of practice, but at an advanced professional level with specialized expertise. This is the right credential if you’re stepping into a supervisory, program management, or policy role and don’t need clinical licensure to do the work you’re after.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) has the broadest scope of all three licenses. In addition to the full LMSW scope of practice, it allows you to provide counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, groups, and families, and to engage in independent practice. If your goal is to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, work in a clinical setting, or open a private practice, the LCSW is the license you need.
General Requirements for All Licenses
Regardless of which license you’re pursuing, the BBH requires all applicants to meet the same baseline conditions before the board will issue a credential. You can find a full overview of the social work license requirements that apply across all levels on our hub page.
- Graduated from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or one otherwise approved by the BBH. Have your school send official transcripts directly to the board.
- Pass an exam sponsored by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), or another exam that the BBH accepts on a case-by-case basis.
- Read Montana’s statutes and rules governing social work practice. You’ll attest to having read them on your application.
- Provide three references who can verify your moral and professional character.
- Pass a fingerprint background check through the Montana Department of Justice.
You can apply online by creating an account with the Department of Labor and Industry, or by printing and mailing the forms from the BBH website. Before you can complete your supervised experience, you’ll need to register as a Social Worker Licensure Candidate with the BBH for a $200 fee. Registration is the step that authorizes you to begin accruing supervised hours.
How to Get Your LBSW
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
Complete a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Montana has two such programs, including one with an online option. Programs are at least 120 semester credits and include a field education component of at least 400 hours.
Step 2: Register as an LBSW Candidate
Submit an LBSW Candidate Registration Form to the BBH along with your Training and Supervision Plan (completed with your supervisor) and the materials needed for your criminal background check. The $200 candidacy fee applies here.
Step 3: Complete Supervised Work Experience
Once the BBH approves your candidacy, you’re authorized to begin accruing hours: 2,000 hours of post-baccalaureate supervised work experience completed over a minimum of 18 months. When you’ve finished, your supervisor submits an Evaluation of Supervised Experience form to the board.
Step 4: Submit Your Three References
Have three professionals who are familiar with your work send reference letters directly to the BBH. These references verify your moral and professional character.
Step 5: Take the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam
After your references are received, the BBH notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to test. Register with the ASWB for the Bachelor’s-level exam. Once you pass, the board issues your LBSW license.
How to Get Your LMSW
Step 1: Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work
Complete an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Montana currently has one accredited MSW program. These programs include at least 30 semester credits and a field education segment of at least 900 hours, which is a strong opportunity to build your professional network before you’re licensed.
Step 2: Register as an LMSW Candidate
Submit an LMSW Candidate Registration Form to the BBH with your Training and Supervision Plan and background check materials. Pay the $200 candidacy fee.
Step 3: Complete Supervised Work Experience
Complete 2,000 hours of post-graduate supervised work experience over a minimum of 18 months. Your supervisor submits an Evaluation of Supervised Experience form to the BBH when you’re done.
Step 4: Submit Your Three References
Have three professionals who know your work send character references directly to the BBH.
Step 5: Take the ASWB Master’s Exam
The BBH notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to test. Register and pass the Master’s-level exam. The board then issues your LMSW license.
How to Get Your LCSW
Step 1: Earn at Least a Master’s Degree in Social Work
You’ll need an MSW or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or a program otherwise approved by the BBH. Some applicants pursue a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or PhD in Social Work at this stage, though most enter the LCSW candidacy path with an MSW.
Step 2: Register as an LCSW Candidate
Submit an LCSW Candidate Registration Form to the BBH along with your Training and Supervision Plan and background check materials. The $200 candidacy fee applies.
Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience
You need 3,000 hours of post-master’s experience in psychotherapy-based social work practice, completed over a minimum of 24 months. At least 1,500 of those hours must be in direct client care (in-person, phone, or interactive video). You also need at least 100 total supervision hours, including a minimum of 50 hours of individual face-to-face supervision by an LCSW, with at least 10 hours involving direct observation of service delivery. Your supervisor must have at least three years of post-licensure experience in a clinical setting or board-approved training in supervision. When you complete your hours, your supervisor submits an Evaluation of Supervised Experience form to the BBH.
Step 4: Submit Your Three References
Have three professionals send character references to the BBH. At least two should be licensed clinical social workers, licensed psychologists, or psychiatrists, and one should be your clinical supervisor.
Step 5: Take the ASWB Clinical Exam
The BBH notifies the ASWB that you’re cleared to test. Register for the Clinical-level exam. Once you pass, the board issues your LCSW license. Note that ASWB exam results must be passed within four years of your application date.
Renewing Your Montana Social Work License
Social work licenses issued by the BBH expire annually on December 31. The renewal fee is $149. You can renew online through your Department of Labor and Industry account or by mailing in a renewal form.
To renew, you’ll need to complete 20 hours of continuing education each year, including at least two hours related to suicide prevention. All 20 hours can be completed through home study courses. The Montana BBH no longer pre-approves CE providers, so make sure any course you take is relevant to your scope of practice. Courses from providers approved by the ASWB Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program are widely accepted. Your first renewal is exempt from the continuing education requirement. If you’re in candidacy status, you’ll also need to re-register with the BBH annually.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Licensed Social Worker in Montana?
The timeline depends on which license you’re pursuing. Factoring in degree completion and required supervised experience, here’s what to expect at each level:
- LBSW Candidate: approximately 4 years (BSW)
- LBSW: approximately 5.5 years (BSW + 18 months supervised experience)
- LMSW Candidate: approximately 6 years (BSW + MSW)
- LMSW: approximately 7.5 years (add 18 months supervised experience)
- LCSW Candidate: approximately 6 years (BSW + MSW)
- LCSW: approximately 8 years (add 24 months supervised experience)
These timelines assume full-time study and full-time supervised work. Part-time paths extend the timeline but are common, particularly for MSW students who work while completing their degree.
Social Work Degree Programs in Montana
To qualify for any level of Montana licensure, your degree must come from a CSWE-accredited program or one approved by the BBH. The CSWE accreditation directory lists all currently approved programs.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)
A CSWE-accredited BSW satisfies the education requirement for the LBSW. Montana has two accredited BSW programs, including one with online study options. These programs are at least 120 semester credits and include a supervised field education component of at least 400 hours. A BSW is also a natural stepping stone toward an MSW. Many programs offer advanced-standing tracks for BSW holders that shorten the master’s program.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
A Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program satisfies the education requirement for both the LMSW and LCSW. Montana currently has one accredited MSW program. These programs are at least 30 semester credits and include at least 900 hours of field education. That field experience is where most students build the professional connections that shape their early careers.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
A doctoral degree in social work from a BBH-approved program can satisfy the education requirement for LCSW licensure. Two formats are available: a PhD in Social Work (typically research-intensive and oriented toward academic or policy careers) and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree (often shorter, more practice-focused, and designed for senior clinical or administrative roles). Both represent the highest educational level in the field.
Reciprocity
If you’re already licensed as a social worker in another state, you may qualify for Montana licensure by reciprocity, provided you meet the education, exam, and supervised experience requirements for the license level you’re seeking. Out-of-state supervised work experience counts. The BBH requires your ASWB exam scores to be transferred directly from the association, and official verification of your out-of-state license to be sent from that state’s licensing board. Follow the standard application process for your target license level.
Social Work Salaries in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for social workers was $61,330 in May 2024, with employment projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Montana salaries vary by specialty and setting. Healthcare and clinical social work roles often offer higher salaries than those in child welfare or school-based positions, and LCSWs in private practice have the highest earning potential within the field.
| Specialty |
National Median (May 2024) |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$68,090 |
| Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$60,060 |
| Child, Family, & School Social Workers |
$58,570 |
Montana salaries reflect the state’s rural character and relatively lower cost of living compared to coastal markets. That can offset some of the wage difference compared to higher-paying states. Rural social workers in Montana may also be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs tied to underserved area designations, which can meaningfully improve the financial picture over time.
Social Work Resources in Montana
Montana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The state chapter of the country’s largest social work membership organization has roughly 500 Montana members. The chapter focuses on strengthening the profession, advocating for social workers, and advancing community health through organized action.
Montana Healthcare Foundation. A funding and leadership organization that underwrites efforts to tackle the state’s toughest healthcare challenges, including behavioral health promotion and substance abuse programs. The foundation brings both grant funding and strategic expertise to the table.
Career Opportunities in Montana
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). This state agency delivers services across six divisions, covering seniors, Montanans with disabilities, and families with children. It’s one of the largest employers of social workers in the state.
DPHHS Addictive and Mental Disorders Division. A division within the DPHHS focused specifically on mental health, addictive disorders, behavioral health, and child and adult mental health services. Many licensed social workers work directly with or within this division.
Providence Health and Services, Montana. A not-for-profit healthcare network that has operated in Montana since 1864, long before statehood. Its behavioral health services include treatment for eating disorders, adolescent and child mental health, geriatric psychiatry, and neuropsychology, with both inpatient and outpatient options available.
Billings Public Schools. One of the largest school districts in the state, serving more than 16,000 students across 22 elementary schools, six middle schools, and three high schools. School social workers here work across a large and varied student population.
Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center. Operating since 1967, this organization provides substance abuse and mental health treatment services across 17 eastern Montana counties from 18 locations. It offers both residential and outpatient services to a wide range of clients.
Partnership Health Center. Based in Missoula, this federally qualified health center was founded to serve the medically uninsured and now accepts patients with Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and no insurance. It provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services, including individual counseling and group therapy.
Bozeman Public Schools. This district operates eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools, including Bozeman High School, the second-oldest high school in the state (established 1877) and today its largest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW in Montana?
The three licenses differ primarily in the degree required and the scope of practice each allows. The LBSW requires a bachelor’s degree and permits entry-level social work practice. The LMSW requires a master’s degree and allows advanced, specialized practice. The LCSW also requires a master’s or doctoral degree, but adds the ability to provide counseling, psychotherapy, and independent clinical practice, including the ability to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
How much does it cost to apply for a Montana social work license?
Candidacy registration costs $200 regardless of which license level you’re pursuing. This fee is paid before you begin your supervised experience. Annual license renewal costs $149. The ASWB exam also carries a separate registration fee paid directly to the association, currently $260 for the Clinical-level exam.
Can I transfer my out-of-state social work license to Montana?
Yes, through reciprocity. Montana will recognize your out-of-state license if you hold an active license in good standing in another state and meet Montana’s education, exam, and supervised experience requirements for the same license level. The BBH needs your ASWB exam scores transferred from the association and official license verification sent from your home state’s board.
How many continuing education hours do Montana social workers need to renew?
Montana requires 20 continuing education hours per year for license renewal, with at least two of those hours covering suicide prevention. The first renewal after initial licensure is exempt from the continuing education requirement. All 20 hours may be completed through home study or online courses. The renewal deadline is December 31 each year.
Do I need to register as a candidacy applicant before starting supervised experience?
Yes. You must register as a Social Worker Licensure Candidate with the Montana BBH and receive approval before you can begin accruing supervised hours toward licensure. The registration process includes submitting a Training and Supervision Plan with your supervisor and completing a fingerprint background check. The $200 fee covers your candidacy registration.
Key Takeaways
- Montana offers three social work licenses (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW), each tied to a specific degree level and scope of practice. The LCSW is the only one who permits independent clinical practice and psychotherapy.
- All license paths require registering as a Social Worker Licensure Candidate ($200 fee) before logging supervised hours, passing the appropriate ASWB exam, and completing a fingerprint background check.
- The LCSW supervised experience requirement is the most detailed: 3,000 hours over 24 months, including 1,500 in direct client care and 100 supervision hours (50 face-to-face with an LCSW).
- Montana social work licenses expire annually on December 31, require 20 CE hours per year (including 2 in suicide prevention), and cost $149 to renew.
- Reciprocity is available for active out-of-state licensees who meet Montana’s education, exam, and experience requirements.
Looking for an accredited social work program in Montana or online? Browse programs by degree level and find options that fit your goals and timeline.
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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 Social Workers represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
