Tennessee Social Work License Requirements: LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, and LAPSW
Tennessee offers four social work licenses (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, and LAPSW), all governed by the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure. Requirements range from a BSW degree and one ASWB exam for the entry-level LBSW to an MSW plus post-degree supervised hours for the clinical and advanced practice tiers. All licenses renew every two years.
Choosing a social work license in Tennessee isn’t just a credential decision. It shapes what settings you can work in, whether you can practice independently, and how much clinical responsibility you can carry. The scope of practice is defined by both state law and your employer’s setting, but your license level is the foundation. Tennessee recognizes four license levels, each tied to a specific degree, exam, and experience threshold.
Here’s what each one requires.
Tennessee Social Work License Requirements at a Glance
Before getting into each license individually, this table summarizes where they differ.
| License | Degree Required | Exam | Post-Degree Hours | CE (per 2-yr cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LBSW | BSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Associate | None | 18 hours |
| LMSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Master’s | None required for licensure | 24 hours |
| LCSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Clinical* | 3,000 supervised hours* | 30 hours |
| LAPSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Advanced Generalist* | 3,000 supervised hours* | 30 hours |
*Exam names and supervised hour classifications for the LCSW and LAPSW should be confirmed with the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure before applying, as requirements are subject to change.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
The LBSW is Tennessee’s entry-level social work credential. To qualify, you need a Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program and must pass a criminal background check. No post-degree supervised hours are required before applying.
To sit for the licensing exam, you’ll register with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and pass the Associate Level exam. Passing it makes you eligible to receive your LBSW.
Renewal happens every two years. You’ll need 18 continuing education hours per cycle to maintain the license.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW requires a graduate degree: a Master of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution. You must also clear a criminal background check.
No post-degree supervised hours are required for LMSW licensure itself. Depending on your role and employer setting, you may still practice under supervision, but the license doesn’t impose a pre-application hours requirement. The licensing exam is the ASWB Master’s Level exam.
LMSW renewal requires 24 continuing education hours every two years.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is Tennessee’s clinical license. It requires the same MSW or DSW from a CSWE-accredited program, plus post-degree supervised practice experience.
The requirement is 3,000 supervised hours, including a required supervision component per board guidelines. The exact classification of those hours and the supervision breakdown should be confirmed directly with the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure before applying, as the specifics are subject to updates to board rules.
The licensing exam for the LCSW is the ASWB Clinical Level exam. Verify this with the board before registering, as the original state source listed a different exam designation.
LCSW renewal requires 30 continuing education hours every two years. CE sub-requirements, including any ethics, Tennessee statutes, or suicide prevention training components, should be confirmed with the board for the current renewal cycle.
Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW)
The LAPSW shares its education and supervised hours threshold with the LCSW. You’ll need an MSW or DSW, a criminal background check, and 3,000 post-degree supervised hours with the required supervision component per board guidelines.
The licensing exam for the LAPSW is the ASWB Advanced Generalist Level exam. Confirm this designation with the Tennessee Board before registering.
Renewal requires 30 continuing education hours per two-year cycle, with CE sub-requirements to be confirmed with the board.
For current requirements, forms, and fee schedules, check the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure directly. Requirements are subject to change.
Applying: What to Prepare
Most Tennessee social work applications require the same core documentation along with the license-specific materials: official transcripts from your CSWE-accredited degree program, criminal background check clearance, ASWB score verification, and payment of the application fee. LCSW and LAPSW applicants should also confirm whether any supplemental documentation, such as a Practitioner Profile Questionnaire, is currently required by checking the board’s official application materials.
Processing times vary. Confirm current timelines with the Tennessee Board before planning around a specific date.
Out-of-State Social Workers: Endorsement and the Licensure Compact
If you’re already licensed in another state, Tennessee allows licensure by endorsement. You’ll generally need to show your out-of-state license is in good standing, provide your ASWB exam scores, and demonstrate your education meets Tennessee’s standards.
Tennessee has also taken steps toward participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact. Verify the state’s current active membership status before applying, as Compact participation status can change. Check the Compact’s current list of member states at socialworklicensurecompact.com.
What Social Workers Earn in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data), Child, Family, and School Social Workers in Tennessee earn a median annual salary of $56,390. The BLS projects strong demand across social work specialties in the state between 2022 and 2032:
| Specialty | Projected Growth (2022–2032) | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 17% | 630 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 22.3% | 720 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 20.4% | 160 |
State-level BLS salary data for May 2024 cover Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021). State-specific median figures for Healthcare, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Social Workers were not separately reported for Tennessee in the available dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the LCSW and LAPSW in Tennessee?
Both require a graduate degree and 3,000 post-degree supervised hours. The primary distinctions are the licensing exam and the scope of practice. The LCSW is the clinical track, and the LAPSW is the advanced generalist track. Confirm the specific exam requirements and practice boundaries for each license with the Tennessee Board of Social Work Licensure, as designations are subject to change.
Do I need supervised hours before applying for the LBSW or LMSW?
No. Tennessee does not require post-degree supervised practice hours for the LBSW or LMSW. The field practicum you complete as part of your degree program is a degree requirement, not a separate licensing threshold. You can apply for either license once you’ve passed the corresponding ASWB exam.
How does license renewal work in Tennessee?
All four Tennessee social work licenses renew on a two-year cycle. CE requirements are 18 hours for the LBSW, 24 for the LMSW, and 30 for the LCSW and LAPSW. Confirm current CE sub-requirements, including any ethics, Tennessee statutes, or suicide prevention training components, with the board for the renewal period that applies to you.
Can I transfer my social work license from another state to Tennessee?
Yes, through licensure by endorsement. You’ll need to show your out-of-state license is in good standing, provide your ASWB exam scores, and meet Tennessee’s education standards. Tennessee has also been moving toward participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact. Verify current Compact status for multi-state practice options.
Where do I submit my Tennessee social work license application?
Applications are submitted through the Tennessee Department of Health’s licensing portal. The Tennessee Board of Social Work Licensure oversees all four license types. Current forms, fee schedules, and rule updates are available at tn.gov.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee has four license levels: LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, and LAPSW, each tied to a specific degree, exam, and practice threshold.
- The LBSW and LMSW require no post-degree supervised hours. A CSWE-accredited degree and the corresponding ASWB exam are all you need to apply.
- The LCSW and LAPSW both require 3,000 post-degree supervised hours with a required supervision component per board guidelines.
- All licenses renew every two years with CE requirements ranging from 18 to 30 hours, depending on license level.
- Healthcare social work is one of the fastest-growing specialties in Tennessee, with 22.3% projected job growth between 2022 and 2032.
- Exam names and hour requirements for the LCSW and LAPSW should be verified with the Tennessee Board of Social Work Licensure before applying.
Ready to find a social work program in Tennessee? Browse CSWE-accredited MSW programs in the state or explore our social work licensing guides to compare requirements across the country.
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.
