Please note: New York candidates for the Social Work licensure examination must have received the M.S.W. degree and met the experience requirement, in the determination of the Department, as a condition for admission to the examination. An applicant for licensure may not register for an examination until approved by the Office of the Professions.
Licensure as an LCSW requires successful completion of the “Clinical” examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) or an examination determined by the Department to be comparable in content.
To qualify to take the ASWB examination:
- Submit an Application for Licensure (Form 1) and fee ($294) to the New York State Education Department.
- Request your school to verify your education directly to the New York State Education Department on Form 2.
- Request your supervisor to submit verification of your supervised experience in diagnosis and psychotherapy on Form 4B to the State Education Department. Applicants for licensure must have the supervised experience approved in order to be admitted to the licensing examination.
- The New York State Education Department must approve your education, experience and all application materials. [We will notify you and ASWB when you have satisfied the examination eligibility requirements.]
- You must register directly with the ASWB to take the Clinical examination. Information and the Candidate Handbook for the examination are available on the ASWB website or through ASWB’s contact information.
Note: Applicants who have passed the ASWB examination for licensure in another jurisdiction must have ASWB submit the score directly to the Department. We will not accept examination scores from third-parties, including the candidate or other jurisdictions.
ASWB has an Exam Candidates video that provides an overview of the licensing process in all jurisdictions. In order to be approved to take the Masters or Clinical examination for licensure, you must meet all requirements in law and regulation. Please review the requirements for licensure on this site under the “How to Apply” heading on the left navigation bar.
Reasonable Testing Accommodations
If you have a disability and may require reasonable testing accommodations for the examination, you must complete ASWB’s Disability Accommodation Form and submit it with supporting documentation directly to ASWB (see contact information). If your application for a reasonable accommodation is denied, or you have any complaints about your accommodations, please contact the New York State Board for Social Work (see contact information).