Louisiana Social Work License Requirements: RSW, CSW, LMSW, and LCSW
Louisiana issues four social work credentials through the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE): the Registered Social Worker (RSW), Certified Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree and a criminal background check. The LMSW and LCSW additionally require passing an ASWB exam.
Louisiana has around 4,370 licensed social workers, and the path to joining them runs through the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE). The credential you pursue depends on your degree, your career goals, and how much practice independence you want. The state’s four-tier system creates a clear route from entry-level generalist work to independent clinical practice.
Find Education Requirements in Louisiana for one of the following:
Louisiana Social Work Credentials at a Glance
Before diving into each credential’s requirements, here’s how the four licenses compare:
| Credential | Degree Required | Exam | Supervised Hours | CE (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSW | BSW or MSW (CSWE-accredited) | None | None | 20 hrs (3 ethics every 2 yrs) |
| CSW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | None (temporary — must pass ASWB Masters within 3 yrs) | None | 20 hrs (3 ethics every 2 yrs) |
| LMSW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Masters | None post-licensure | 20 hrs (3 ethics every 2 yrs) |
| LCSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Clinical | 5,760 hrs (3,840 supervised) | 20 hrs incl. 10 clinical (3 ethics every 2 yrs) |
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
The RSW is Louisiana’s entry-level social work credential, awarded based solely on education. No exam is required. With an RSW, you can work in an agency setting providing case management, community outreach, non-clinical supportive counseling, advocacy, and program administration. RSWs must work as employees within an agency and can’t engage in independent or clinical social work practice.
Education: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Your school must send official transcripts directly to LABSWE.
Application: Apply online through your LABSWE account. You’ll also submit fingerprints for a state and federal criminal background check. Verify current application fees directly with LABSWE, as fees are subject to change.
Renewal: 20 hours of board-approved continuing education annually, including 3 ethics hours every two years.
- Learn about The Bachelors Degree in Social Work (BSW)
Certified Social Worker (CSW)
The CSW is a temporary credential for MSW graduates who have met all LMSW requirements except passing the ASWB Master’s exam. It allows you to work within the LMSW scope of practice, in an agency setting under supervision, while you prepare for the exam.
Louisiana allows CSWs up to three years to pass the exam. You must make at least one attempt within the first six months of receiving your CSW and at least one attempt per year after that. If you don’t pass within three years, LABSWE will recall your CSW, and you can apply for the RSW instead.
Education: MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
Key requirement: You must have a LABSWE-approved Supervision Contract in place before your supervised hours count toward eventual LMSW licensure.
Renewal: 20 hours of board-approved continuing education annually, including 3 ethics hours every two years.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW is the standard master’s-level credential and the primary stepping stone to clinical licensure. LMSWs can provide a range of social work services and may provide psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker, where permitted by their employer and applicable regulations. LMSWs must generally work as employees within an agency, though they may work on a contractual basis for government agencies.
Education: MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
Exam: ASWB Master’s Level exam. Once LABSWE approves your application, they’ll notify ASWB that you’re cleared to test. Verify current application fees directly with LABSWE.
Renewal: 20 hours of board-approved continuing education annually, including 3 ethics hours every two years.
Once you receive your LMSW, you can begin accumulating the supervised hours needed to apply for the LCSW.
- Learn about The Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is Louisiana’s highest social work credential and the only one that authorizes fully independent practice. LCSWs can assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, and may practice independently, including in private practice.
Education: MSW or a doctorate in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Supervised experience: 5,760 hours of post-graduate social work practice, including 3,840 hours supervised by a board-approved clinical supervisor (LCSW-BACS), at least 96 of which must be face-to-face. You must submit a Supervision Contract to LABSWE for approval before any hours begin counting.
Exam: ASWB Clinical Level exam. Verify current application fees directly with LABSWE.
Documentation at completion: Your supervisor must submit a Record of Supervision and an Evaluation of Supervision. Your agency director must submit a Professional Experience Verification form. You’ll also need an Employment Verification form for each position you held post-MSW.
Renewal: 20 hours of board-approved continuing education annually, including 3 ethics hours every two years. LCSWs must complete at least 10 of those 20 hours in clinical content, including diagnosis and treatment, each year.
- Learn about The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Louisiana Social Worker Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers in Louisiana earned a median annual salary of $57,880 as of May 2024 (most recent available BLS data). Earnings vary by specialty, license level, and setting. Clinical social workers in private practice or healthcare typically earn toward the higher end of that range. Markets like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport generally pay more than rural areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to practice social work in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana requires licensure at all levels of social work practice, not just clinical work. If you’re providing social work services in the state, you need at least an RSW credential from LABSWE.
What’s the difference between a CSW and an LMSW?
Both require an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and allow you to work within a similar scope of practice in an agency setting. The difference is the ASWB Master’s exam: an LMSW has passed it, a CSW has not yet. The CSW is a temporary credential that gives you up to 3 years to pass the exam while you continue working.
Can an LMSW see clients independently in Louisiana?
No. LMSWs must work under supervision and can’t practice independently or in private practice. If you want to see clients independently, diagnose, or run your own practice, you’ll need the LCSW.
How long does it take to become an LCSW in Louisiana?
The path from a bachelor’s degree to LCSW typically takes eight to ten years: four years for a BSW, two or more for an MSW, and roughly three to four years of full-time work to accumulate the required 5,760 supervised hours. The timeline can vary depending on your work setting and how quickly you accrue supervision.
Can I use my Louisiana license to practice in other states?
Louisiana enacted legislation to join the Social Work Licensure Compact in 2024. As of 2026, the compact has been adopted by more than 30 states, though multistate licenses are not yet being issued. Full implementation is targeted for 2026. Check swcompact.org and LABSWE for the current status before relying on compact portability.
Key Takeaways
- Four credentials, four levels of practice: RSW covers entry-level generalist work. CSW is a temporary bridge credential while pursuing LMSW. LMSW is supervised master’s-level practice. LCSW is full independent and clinical practice.
- All degrees must be CSWE-accredited: Louisiana won’t accept a social work degree from a non-accredited program at any credential level.
- The LCSW requires substantial supervised experience: 5,760 post-graduate hours with 3,840 under an LCSW-BACS supervisor. Get your Supervision Contract approved by LABSWE before your hours begin.
- All credential holders renew annually: 20 CE hours, including 3 ethics hours every 2 years. LCSWs must also complete 10 clinical hours annually.
- Louisiana has joined the Social Work Licensure Compact: though multistate licenses aren’t yet being issued. Full implementation is expected in 2026.
Ready to explore your options? Find CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Louisiana and compare programs that fit your career goals and schedule.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.
