At a Glance
To get a New Hampshire social work license, you’ll need a CSWE-accredited MSW degree, two years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience totaling 3,000 hours, and a passing score on the ASWB Clinical exam. The NH Board of Mental Health Practice issues three credential levels: LSWA, LSW, and LICSW. The LICSW is the independent clinical license.
New Hampshire licenses social workers at three levels, and each one opens a different door. The Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW) are available for professionals with bachelor’s-level and master’s-level education, respectively. The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) is the state’s clinical license. It lets you diagnose and treat mental health conditions, run a private practice, and work independently without supervision. If independent clinical practice is your goal, the LICSW is the credential you’re working toward. For a look at how other states structure their licensing, see our social work license requirements by state guide.
New Hampshire’s Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), through its Board of Mental Health Practice (BMHP), oversees all three licenses. Rules for the LICSW are governed by RSA 330-A:18 and the BMHP’s administrative rules, particularly MHP 304.02.
New Hampshire Social Work License Types
Before diving into the LICSW application process, it helps to understand how the three license tiers fit together. New Hampshire updated its licensure rules in May 2024 (Mhp 307 and Mhp 308, effective May 14, 2024), adding the LSW and LSWA as separate credentials alongside the LICSW.
| License |
Education Required |
Supervised Hours |
CE Every 2 Years |
| LSWA (Licensed Social Work Associate) |
Associate’s or bachelor’s in a related human services field |
None required |
10 hours |
| LSW (Licensed Social Worker) |
CSWE-accredited BSW |
None required for initial licensure |
30 hours |
| LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) |
CSWE-accredited MSW or doctoral degree in social work |
3,000 post-master’s clinical hours over 2 years |
40 hours |
LICSW Scope of Practice
The LICSW authorizes independent clinical social work practice in New Hampshire. That means you can observe, evaluate, interpret, and diagnose mental and emotional disorders, provide psychotherapy, and engage in consultative and psycho-educational work. The goal is to enhance behavioral and mental health and eliminate symptomatic or undesirable behaviors.
Practically, LICSW holders work across a wide range of settings: community mental health centers, hospitals, substance abuse programs, private practice, and school systems. With an LICSW, you don’t need a supervising clinician to practice. You’re authorized to work independently and, if you choose, to bill insurance directly. In most other states this credential is called the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The scope of practice is comparable, though licensing requirements vary by state.
LICSW Application Process
The path to the LICSW has seven steps. Each one requires specific documentation and fees, and the BMHP reviews applications on a rolling basis. Budget several months for the full process after you’ve completed your supervised hours.
Step 1: Earn a CSWE-Accredited MSW
Your graduate degree must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Request official transcripts from your school per the BMHP’s current requirements. Historically, the Board has required transcripts in signed, sealed envelopes, though a September 2025 standing order on unofficial transcripts may affect this. Confirm the current transcript submission method directly with the OPLC before applying.
Step 2: Find a Qualified Supervisor
You can’t begin counting hours until you have an approved supervision agreement on file. Your supervisor must be an actively licensed mental health practitioner in New Hampshire (typically a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor) who has been practicing clinically for at least two years, is in good standing with no disciplinary history, and meets the specifications in Mhp 302.01(c). Consult the current BMHP rules or contact the OPLC directly to confirm supervisor eligibility before beginning supervision. You can search the OPLC’s license verification tool to find licensed LICSWs in New Hampshire.
Step 3: File Your Candidate for Licensure Supervision Agreement
Submit a completed Candidate for Licensure Supervision Agreement to the BMHP. Both you and your supervisor must complete portions of the form. Include your official graduate school transcripts (in a signed, sealed envelope) and a $25 filing fee. The BMHP will notify you when your agreement is approved. You cannot start counting hours until that approval arrives.
Step 4: Complete 3,000 Hours of Supervised Clinical Experience
You’ll need at least 3,000 post-master’s supervised clinical social work hours completed over a minimum of two years. At least 100 of those hours must be individual, face-to-face supervision with your supervisor, roughly one hour per week. Your work must be in an organized clinical or mental health setting. Hours from independent private practice (1099/contractor positions) don’t qualify; employment must be W-2. You have up to four years from the start of your approved supervision to complete the hours.
Step 5: Apply to Sit for the ASWB Clinical Exam
Once you’ve completed your supervised hours, submit a Request to Sit for ASWB Clinical Exam to the BMHP. Once the Board approves your request, it will notify the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) that you’re cleared to test and send you registration instructions.
Step 6: Register for and Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
Register with the ASWB and pay the $260 exam fee. Testing is available by appointment at Pearson VUE centers. You don’t have to test in New Hampshire. Once you pass, request that ASWB send your scores directly to the BMHP.
Step 7: Submit Your Full LICSW Application
With your exam scores on file, submit your application packet for LICSW licensure to the BMHP. Include a $150 application fee (a separate $135 licensure fee is due once approved). Your packet must also include: official transcripts from both your bachelor’s and master’s programs (confirm current submission requirements with the OPLC, see Step 1 note on transcripts); three professional references (one from your supervisor) on forms included in the packet, returned in signed sealed envelopes; and a criminal offender record report from New Hampshire and every state where you’ve lived in the past five years. Your supervisor must complete verification forms confirming your supervised hours.
How Long Does It Take to Become an LICSW in New Hampshire?
From high school, the LICSW requires a minimum of eight years of education and post-graduate experience. Most people take longer, depending on whether they attend school full-time and how quickly they secure a qualifying supervisor and employment.
| Stage |
Minimum Duration |
| Bachelor’s degree |
4 years |
| CSWE-accredited MSW |
2 years |
| Supervised clinical experience (3,000 hours) |
2 years |
| Application and exam processing |
Several months |
Renewing Your LICSW
LICSW licenses expire every two years. To renew, submit a completed renewal application to the BMHP before your license expires. The renewal fee is $270 (verify the current fee with the BMHP, as fees are subject to change).
To qualify for renewal, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two-year cycle. The breakdown matters: at least 30 of your 40 hours must come from Category A (structured learning like workshops, seminars, live webinars, and home study courses approved by ASWB); at least 6 of those hours must be in ethics; and at least 3 must be in suicide prevention. Up to 10 hours can come from Category B activities such as conferences, group study, or research.
Social Work Degrees in New Hampshire
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. CSWE accreditation is what makes a degree qualify for licensure in New Hampshire. Without it, your degree won’t satisfy the BMHP’s requirements.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)
A BSW is the foundation for LSW licensure and the natural entry point for anyone planning to pursue an MSW later. CSWE-accredited BSW programs include a supervised field education placement of at least 400 hours. New Hampshire has CSWE-accredited BSW programs at the University of New Hampshire and Plymouth State University.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program is required for LICSW licensure. Accredited programs include at least 900 hours of supervised field education, divided across concentration-year placements. New Hampshire has one CSWE-accredited MSW program, at the University of New Hampshire, offered in both on-campus and online formats. Many NH residents also complete accredited MSW programs fully online through out-of-state institutions.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
A social work doctorate (either a PhD or a Doctor of Social Work, DSW) isn’t required for LICSW licensure in New Hampshire, but it can satisfy the educational requirement. PhD programs tend to be research-focused with longer timelines. DSW programs are typically practice-oriented and faster to complete. Either one signals advanced commitment to the field and expands options in academia, research, and senior leadership roles.
Reciprocity
If you hold a clinical social work license in another state and your licensure requirements are substantially equivalent to New Hampshire’s, you can apply for an LICSW by reciprocity. If you’ve held your out-of-state clinical license in good standing for at least five years, you may be exempt from the supervised experience requirement.
Follow the standard application process above, and add two items to your packet: a completed License Verification Form (available in the application packet) filled out by your out-of-state licensing board and returned in a signed, sealed envelope, and a criminal offender record report from every state where you’ve lived and practiced in the past five years. See the OPLC’s reciprocity information page for current details.
Social Work Salaries in New Hampshire
Social work salaries in New Hampshire vary by specialty, setting, and experience level. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the national median annual wage for social workers was $61,330 as of May 2024. New Hampshire wages are generally competitive with the national median, though they vary by role.
| Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage (May 2024) |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$68,090 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$60,060 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$58,570 |
| All Social Workers |
$61,330 |
Employment of social workers overall is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Demand remains strong in healthcare and behavioral health settings, with about 74,000 social work job openings projected each year, on average, over the 2024–2034 decade.
Social Work Resources in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers: The state chapter of the nation’s largest social work organization advocates for members at the state and local policy level, connects members with special interest groups, and maintains relationships between local and state organizations. The NH chapter is also the primary source for LICSW continuing education guidance and chapter-specific resources.
New Hampshire School Social Workers Association: A chapter of the national School Social Work Association of America. Membership includes networking with peers, discounted webinars, bi-monthly newsletters, and access to national research projects.
Career Opportunities in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services: The state’s primary agency for delivering services to vulnerable populations. Social workers interact regularly with the Division of Long Term Supports and Services, Bureau of Family Assistance, Division for Children, Youth and Families, and Division for Behavioral Health.
New Hampshire Division of Behavioral Health: The DHHS division most familiar to clinical social workers. It houses the Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health, the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services, and the Bureau of Mental Health Services.
New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association: A network of 10 community mental health centers across the state. Joint programs include emergency services, a child impact program, and mental health first aid training. Individual member agencies also run their own service programs.
Manchester School District: New Hampshire’s largest school system. School social workers in this district work across a range of student support, crisis intervention, and family services roles.
The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester: Provides clinical services for children, adolescents, and adults across five centers in the Manchester area. Also offers training and continuing education for social workers and other mental health practitioners.
Granite Recovery Centers: Operates multiple rehabilitation centers across New Hampshire focused on drug and alcohol addiction recovery. Offers inpatient, outpatient, and sober living options and draws clients from across the country.
Nashua School District: The state’s second-largest school system, with multiple elementary, middle, and high schools serving thousands of students across the greater Nashua area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LICSW in New Hampshire?
The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) is New Hampshire’s clinical social work license. It authorizes you to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, provide psychotherapy, and practice independently without a supervising clinician. It’s issued by the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification through the Board of Mental Health Practice.
Does New Hampshire have other social work licenses besides the LICSW?
Yes. Following rule changes that took effect in May 2024, New Hampshire now licenses social workers at three levels: the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). The LICSW remains the only license that allows independent clinical practice and psychotherapy.
How many supervised hours are required for the LICSW in New Hampshire?
You need 3,000 post-master’s supervised clinical social work hours completed over at least two years (and no more than four). At least 100 of those hours must be individual, face-to-face supervision with your approved supervisor, about one hour per week. Your hours must be earned in a W-2 employment setting, not through independent contracting.
What exam is required for the New Hampshire LICSW?
You must pass the ASWB Clinical Level exam, administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. The registration fee is $260, and testing takes place at Pearson VUE centers. You must be approved to test by the BMHP before you can register. Submit a Request to Sit for the ASWB Clinical Exam after completing your supervised hours.
Can I get an LICSW in New Hampshire by reciprocity?
Yes, if your out-of-state clinical social work license was obtained under requirements substantially equivalent to New Hampshire’s. If you’ve held that license in good standing for at least five years, you may be exempt from the supervised hours requirement. Contact the BMHP and refer to the OPLC’s current reciprocity guidance for eligibility details.
Key Takeaways
- Three license levels exist. New Hampshire now issues the LSWA, LSW, and LICSW through the Board of Mental Health Practice. Only the LICSW permits independent clinical practice and psychotherapy.
- The LICSW requires an MSW and 3,000 supervised hours. Your degree must come from a CSWE-accredited program. Supervised hours must be completed in a W-2 setting over two to four years, with at least 100 hours of face-to-face individual supervision.
- ASWB exam approval happens before you register. After completing your hours, you must get BMHP clearance before registering with ASWB. Don’t register directly. The Board notifies ASWB when you’re approved.
- Plan for eight-plus years. The minimum timeline from high school is four years for a bachelor’s, two for an MSW, and two for supervised experience, plus application processing time.
- Reciprocity is available. Out-of-state clinical licensees with equivalent requirements can apply for an NH LICSW without retaking the exam, and may waive supervised hours with five years of licensed experience.
Ready to find an MSW program that meets New Hampshire’s CSWE accreditation requirement? Browse accredited social work programs by state and format.
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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.
