How to Become a Social Worker: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Social Worker
Find out how you can become a social worker, including the education, training, and state licensure requirements.
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Social work is a challenging and rewarding career that is also in demand. Our changing world means that social workers are needed more than ever to help serve an aging population, along with those dealing with mental health conditions, substance use, homelessness, joblessness, and income inequality.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that there will be more than 67,000 social worker job openings in the U.S. annually between 2023 and 2033. Learn about how you can join this fast-growing profession.
Steps to Become a Social Worker
Social workers need education and training to acquire skills related to effective communication, organization, problem-solving, patience, and interaction with diverse individuals and groups.
- Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree is typically the first step to becoming a social worker. You’ll need a bachelor of social work (BSW) — or the equivalent in your state — to qualify for a baccalaureate social work license (LBSW). If you plan to pursue a master’s degree and earn your licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) credentials, you don’t necessarily need a BSW. Many master of social work (MSW) programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree in any field.
Some schools may prefer candidates to hold a degree in psychology, sociology, biology, or criminal justice. However, a BSW can provide eligibility for advanced standing admission into an MSW program, which can save you a year of study toward your MSW.
A BSW generally takes about four years of full-time study to complete and requires 120 credits. You can also expect to gain hands-on experience through practicums or internships.
If you plan to become an LBSW, proceed to Step 4.
- Step 2: Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work
A master’s in social work typically takes 2-3 years, minus one year if you have a BSW and qualify for advanced standing. You’ll need an MSW to become a licensed social worker at the master’s or clinical level. If your goal is to practice community-, management-, or policy-focused social work, consider an LMSW track. If you want to become a clinical social worker and offer psychotherapy services, opt for an LCSW preparatory curriculum. MSWs typically require 36-60 credits, including supervised field experience.
If you plan to become an LMSW, proceed to Step 4.
- Step 3: Complete Supervised Experience
LCSW candidates need post-master’s supervised clinical experience. While state requirements for the number of hours vary, you can expect to spend about two years completing your training. State licensure boards typically mandate specific requirements for logging direct contact hours with your supervisor and face-to-face client counseling hours.
- Step 4: Apply for State Licensure
Licensing procedures and requirements for LBSWs, LMSWs, and LCSWs differ by state. However, typical requirements include a BSW or MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), as well as post-master’s clinical supervised training for LCSWs.
You’ll also need a passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s, master’s, advanced generalist, or clinical exam. Additionally, most states require you to apply (and receive approval) before taking a licensing exam.
- Step 5: Pass National Examinations
There is an ASWB exam for each level of social work licensing. You must pass the appropriate ASWB exam before receiving state licensure. Learn more about what each ASWB exam focuses on below.
- Bachelor’s Exam: Concepts of abuse and neglect, assessment, human development, diversity, and the behavior in the environment; professional relationships, values, and ethics; and interventions with clients and client systems
- Master’s Exam: Assessment and intervention planning; interventions with clients and client systems; human development, diversity, and the behavior in the environment; professional relationships, values, and ethics
- Advanced Generalist Exam: Intervention processes and techniques for use across systems; professional values and ethics; human development, diversity, and behavior in the environment
- Clinical Exam: Psychotherapy, clinical interventions, and case management; assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning; human development, diversity, and behavior in the environment; professional values and ethics
How Long Will Becoming a Social Worker Take?
The time needed to become a social worker depends on your experience and the licensure level you want to pursue. The table below lists the time it takes to qualify for each license, including the steps outlined above.
| Job | Time to Become |
|---|---|
| Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker | 4 years |
| Licensed Master Social Worker | 5-6 years |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker | 7-8 years |
How to Continue Your Education as a Social Worker
While requirements vary depending on your state and licensure level, social work licenses typically expire every two years and require 20-40 continuing education (CE) hours for renewal. Each state board specifies the type of CE you’ll need to renew your license, such as courses in your field of practice, professional laws and ethics, and suicide assessment, treatment, and management.
State licensing boards also list approved CE providers, the types of CE accepted (e.g., online and in-person courses, seminars, workshops), and other methods of earning CE credits, such as board or community service and publication.
How Much Does a Social Worker Make?
The median annual salary for social workers nationwide is just over $61,000, according to the BLS. LCSWs typically earn higher pay (an average of $69,980, according to July 2025 Payscale data), followed by LMSW salaries ($57,870) and LBSW salaries ($56,660). Earning potential also depends on the state and industry in which you practice.
Become a Social Worker in Your State
The steps to become a social worker can vary depending on the state where you plan to practice. Learn more about specific requirements in some of the top states for social workers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Expect to spend 4-8 years becoming a social worker, including earning your BSW and/or MSW, taking the ASWB exam, and completing two years of post-master’s supervised training if you’re pursuing your LCSW license.
