At a Glance
North Dakota currently uses three main social work license titles (LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW), issued by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. The LCSW is the clinical level, associated with diagnosis, treatment, and private practice authority. Each license requires a qualifying social work degree and a board-approved ASWB exam. Licenses renew every two years with 30 continuing education hours.
North Dakota’s social work licensing structure is more layered than it first appears. The state currently uses three main license titles (LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW), but each credential level carries a distinct scope of practice, and the LCSW is not simply a “higher” version of the LMSW. The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is the clinical tier, requiring supervised post-master’s experience and the ASWB Clinical exam. It’s the credential associated with diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, as well as private practice authority. Getting that distinction right before choosing a graduate program or registering for an ASWB exam will save you time and money.
This guide covers all three license levels, what each one allows you to do, and the steps the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (NDBSWE) requires to earn each credential. Because license titles and requirements can change, always verify current requirements directly with the NDBSWE before applying.
The NDBSWE currently issues three social work credentials. Older materials may reference prior license titles, so applicants should verify the current credential structure on the NDBSWE website before applying.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): This is the entry-level credential for social work in North Dakota. It allows you to practice generalist social work in agency settings, including case management, assessment, counseling, education, consultation, and program administration. Note: before August 2019, this credential was called the Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Some older forms and documents may still reflect that name.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): The LMSW allows you to do everything an LBSW can, plus apply advanced and specialized knowledge in your practice. You’re also authorized to practice clinical social work under supervision.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): The LCSW is North Dakota’s clinical-level credential. It’s associated with the provision of counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, families, couples, and groups, and with the authority to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders and addictions. The LCSW requires supervised post-master’s clinical experience and the ASWB Clinical exam. Qualified LCSWs may also serve as supervisors for other LCSW applicants completing their supervised experience requirement, if they meet specific qualification standards set by the board.
Steps Toward Licensure
All three credentials require a qualifying social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program and a board-approved ASWB exam. First-time applicants in North Dakota must also complete a state and federal criminal background check before a license is issued. There is a $25 application fee and a $75 licensure fee for all levels. Applicants should verify the current exam requirements for their license level directly with the NDBSWE before registering.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
To qualify for the LBSW, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, passing scores on the ASWB Bachelor’s exam, and three professional references submitted to the NDBSWE before your license can be issued.
Step 1: Earn a BSW
Complete a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). No other bachelor’s degree qualifies. The NDBSWE accepts only CSWE-accredited programs or their Canadian equivalent through CASWE-ACFTS.
Step 2: Apply for Licensure
Submit a completed application with your official transcripts to the NDBSWE. Once the board approves your application, it will notify the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) that you’re cleared to test. You have one year from the application date to pass the exam.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam
Register with the ASWB for the Bachelor’s level exam once the board clears you. After you pass, the NDBSWE is automatically notified and will issue your LBSW license. Note that as a recent graduate, you may use your faculty advisor’s reference to apply for early clearance to test before you graduate.
Step 4: Submit Three Professional References
The board requires three references before it issues your license. If you’re a recent graduate, one from your field placement supervisor, one from a licensed or license-eligible social worker, and one from your social work department faculty advisor.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW requires a master’s degree in social work, passing scores on the ASWB Master’s exam, and three professional references. The reference requirements differ slightly depending on whether you’re a recent graduate or already working in the field.
Step 1: Earn an MSW
Complete a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or its Canadian equivalent. CSWE-accredited MSW programs include a minimum 900-hour field education component, and your field placement supervisor can serve as one of your references.
Step 2: Apply for Licensure
Submit a completed application, along with official transcripts, to the NDBSWE. Once approved, the board notifies ASWB that you’re cleared to test. You have one year from the application date to pass the Master’s exam.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Master’s Exam
Register with ASWB once cleared. After you pass, the NDBSWE is notified and issues your LMSW license.
Step 4: Submit Three Professional References
If you’re a recent graduate, one from your field placement supervisor, one from a licensed or license-eligible social worker, and one from your faculty advisor. If you’re currently employed as a social worker, you need one reference from your work supervisor and two from licensed or license-eligible social workers.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is the master’s-level clinical credential. It requires an MSW or DSW, passing scores on the ASWB Master’s exam, and three professional references. This license allows supervised clinical practice only, not independent or private practice.
Step 1: Earn an MSW or DSW
Complete a master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Step 2: Apply for Licensure
Submit a completed application, along with official transcripts, to the NDBSWE. Once approved, the board notifies ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
Step 3: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
For North Dakota’s LCSW, the NDBSWE lists the ASWB Clinical exam. Register with ASWB once the board clears you. The NDBSWE will issue your LCSW license after you pass. Verify the current exam requirement for your license level with the board before registering.
Step 4: Complete the Supervised Clinical Experience Requirement
To reach North Dakota’s clinical LCSW level, applicants generally progress through supervised post-master’s clinical experience. Submit a Supervision Plan to the NDBSWE for approval before you start accumulating hours. You’ll need 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work practice completed within a four-year period, including at least 150 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision with a board-approved supervisor. No more than 50 of those hours may be group supervision. Once you’ve completed this requirement, submit a Verification of MSW Supervision Form and a Verification of MSW Employment Form with your licensure application.
Social Work Degrees in North Dakota
To qualify for any North Dakota social work license, your degree must come from a CSWE-accredited program or its Canadian equivalent through the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS). The degree must specifically be in social work. No other degree qualifies under North Dakota Century Code 43-41-04.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program is the minimum education requirement for the LBSW. North Dakota has multiple CSWE-accredited BSW programs, including online options. Confirm current accreditation status and delivery format in CSWE’s program directory before applying. CSWE accreditation requires a minimum 400-hour field education component, and your field placement supervisor can serve as one of your professional references when you apply for licensure.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program fulfills the education requirement for the LMSW and LCSW. The University of North Dakota offers an MSW program with both on-campus and online study options, including an Advanced Generalist track and an online distance generalist program for applicants without a BSW. CSWE-accredited MSW programs require a minimum of 900 hours of field education. You can also use your field placement supervisor as a professional reference when applying for licensure.
Doctoral Degrees in Social Work
A Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a CSWE-accredited program may also satisfy the education requirement for the LCSW. The CSWE doesn’t accredit doctoral programs, but doctoral graduates from CSWE-accredited master’s programs may qualify. DSW and PhD programs in social work are available nationally and are designed for practitioners aiming at advanced clinical, research, or academic roles.
Renewing Your Social Work License
All licenses issued by the NDBSWE expire every two years on December 31st of odd-numbered years. You can renew online through the board’s website. To renew at any level, you need 30 hours of continuing education completed during that licensing period, including at least 2 hours in social work ethics. No more than 10 of those hours can be completed through independent learning or self-study. The renewal fee is $75 for all license levels. During your first renewal cycle, the required CE hours are prorated based on when you were originally licensed.
Reciprocity
You can apply for any of the four North Dakota licenses by reciprocity if you currently hold an active social work license from another state and the out-of-state licensing requirements are equivalent to or more stringent than North Dakota’s. You don’t need to submit professional references for a reciprocity application, but the NDBSWE does need to receive:
- A License Verification Form or official verifying letter from your state’s board of social work
- Your ASWB exam scores directly from ASWB
- A paper copy or PDF of your state’s social work licensing laws in effect at the time you were originally licensed
Social Work Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for social workers was $61,330 as of May 2024. That figure covers a broad range of professions, and wages vary significantly by specialization, setting, and geography. The BLS projects overall employment of social workers to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 74,000 openings expected nationally each year over the decade.
Mental health and substance abuse social work is the fastest-growing subspecialty, projected to grow 10 percent through 2034. Healthcare social work follows at 8 percent. Wages in North Dakota vary by occupation and employer type. For the most current North Dakota-specific figures by occupation, consult the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state tables.
| Social Work Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage |
Projected Growth (2024–2034) |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$58,570 |
3% |
| Healthcare Social Workers |
$68,090 |
8% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers |
$60,060 |
10% |
| Social Workers, All Other |
$69,480 |
4% |
How Long Does It Take?
The time it takes to become a licensed social worker in North Dakota depends on which credential you’re pursuing. An LBSW requires roughly four years for the BSW degree. Adding two years for an MSW gets you to the LMSW requirements. From there, reaching the LCSW level requires completing 3,000 supervised clinical hours, which typically takes about 1.5 to 2 years of full-time post-master’s work, putting the total investment at around 7.5 to 8 years from the start of a BSW program. If you already hold an MSW, the path to LCSW is the supervised experience requirement and the ASWB Clinical exam.
Social Work Resources in North Dakota
North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (NDBSWE): The state licensing authority for all social work credentials in North Dakota. The board handles applications, renewals, background checks, and supervision plan approvals. It was established by the state legislature in 1983 and is governed by a six-member board appointed by the governor.
North Dakota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The local chapter of the largest professional social work association in the country. The North Dakota chapter engages in legislative advocacy, provides policy resources, and connects members with professional development opportunities. It’s also part of the NASW Heartland group, which links several regional chapters with shared advocacy goals.
North Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS): A major employer of social workers in the state, the DHS provides services to people with disabilities, children and families, aging adults, and those with behavioral health needs. Its Behavioral Health Services division manages programs related to substance use, mental health, and housing transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest level of social work licensure in North Dakota?
North Dakota currently uses three main license titles: LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW. The LCSW is the clinical-level credential associated with the authority to diagnose and treat mental health conditions and engage in private practice. Requirements and credential titles can change, so verify the current structure on the NDBSWE website before applying.
How many supervised hours do I need for the LCSW in North Dakota?
To reach the LCSW level, you’ll need 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical social work practice completed within a four-year period. At least 150 of those hours must be face-to-face clinical supervision with a board-approved supervisor, and no more than 50 supervision hours may be group supervision. Submit a Supervision Plan to the NDBSWE for approval before you start accumulating hours.
Can I apply for a North Dakota license if I’m already licensed in another state?
Yes. North Dakota accepts reciprocity applications if your out-of-state licensing requirements are equivalent to or more stringent than North Dakota’s. You don’t need professional references for a reciprocity application, but the NDBSWE does need a license verification from your state board, your ASWB exam scores, and a copy of your state’s social work licensing laws in effect when you were originally licensed.
How do I renew my social work license in North Dakota?
All North Dakota social work licenses expire on December 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew, you need 30 hours of approved continuing education during the two-year cycle, including at least 2 hours in social work ethics. The renewal fee is $75 for all license levels, and you can renew online through the NDBSWE.
Do I need a CSWE-accredited degree to get licensed in North Dakota?
Yes. The NDBSWE requires that your degree come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or its Canadian equivalent, CASWE-ACFTS. Under North Dakota Century Code 43-41-04, only a degree specifically in social work from an accredited program qualifies. No substitute degrees are accepted at any license level.
Key Takeaways
- North Dakota currently uses three main social work license titles: LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW. The LCSW is the clinical-level credential associated with diagnosing and treating mental health conditions and private practice authority. Verify the current credential structure on the NDBSWE website before applying.
- The LCSW requires supervised post-master’s clinical experience (3,000 hours within four years, including at least 150 hours of face-to-face supervision) and the ASWB Clinical exam. Always confirm the current exam requirement with the board before registering.
- All three licenses require a qualifying social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program and a board-approved ASWB exam. First-time applicants must also complete a state and federal background check.
- Licenses renew every two years on December 31st of odd-numbered years, with 30 CE hours required, including at least 2 in ethics.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent growth for social workers nationally from 2024 to 2034, with mental health and substance abuse social work projected to grow 10 percent.
Ready to take the next step toward social work licensure in North Dakota? Explore accredited BSW and MSW programs that meet NDBSWE requirements.
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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.
