How to Become a Licensed Social Worker in Arkansas
To become a licensed social worker in Arkansas, you need a CSWE-accredited social work degree and a passing score on the ASWB exam. Arkansas offers three license levels: LSW (bachelor’s level), LMSW (master’s level), and LCSW (master’s level plus 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience). All applicants must pass a criminal background check.
Social work licensure in Arkansas isn’t one-size-fits-all. The license you need depends on the work you want to do. A bachelor’s level license opens the door to entry-level practice under supervision. A master’s level license expands your scope. The clinical license at the top of that ladder is the only one that authorizes independent clinical practice in Arkansas. Knowing which path aligns with your goals before you start saves time and helps you choose the right degree program from the outset.
This guide walks through every license level: what’s required, what the process looks like, and what to expect along the way.
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
Arkansas Social Work License Levels at a Glance
Arkansas issues three social work licenses, each tied to a different education level and scope of practice. Here’s how they compare:
| License | Education Required | ASWB Exam | Supervised Hours | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSW | BSW from CSWE-accredited program | Bachelor’s level ($230) | None required pre-licensure (practice under supervision) | $100 |
| LMSW | MSW from CSWE-accredited program | Master’s level | None required pre-licensure (practice under supervision) | $100 |
| LCSW | MSW or DSW from CSWE-accredited program | Clinical level ($260) | 4,000 hours over 2+ years (incl. 100 hrs direct supervision) | $100 + $37.75 background check |
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The Licensed Social Worker (LSW) is the entry-level license in Arkansas. It requires a Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited university or college. LSWs practice under supervision. The license doesn’t authorize independent clinical work, but it’s a solid foundation for a career in child welfare, case management, and community services. Eligible applicants may be issued a provisional license by the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board once their application is approved. That provisional license is valid for one year, during which you must take and pass the licensing exam.
Here’s the process to earn your LSW in Arkansas:
- Apply for your license and submit the $100 fee, along with your official transcript, to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board.
- Apply with the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau for a comprehensive criminal background check, including fingerprints.
- Register for the ASWB Bachelor’s level exam through the ASWB exam registration portal and pay the $230 exam fee. Attempt limits are set by the Arkansas board and ASWB, so confirm current retake policies directly with both before registering.
- Once you pass, the Arkansas board issues your full LSW license. You may then practice social work under appropriate supervision.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) requires a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program. This license opens the door to a broader range of roles in case management, clinical settings, and administration, but like the LSW, it doesn’t authorize independent clinical practice. It’s also the required first step for anyone pursuing the LCSW. Eligible applicants may be issued a provisional license by the board, valid while completing the exam requirement.
Steps to earn your LMSW in Arkansas:
- Apply with the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board and have your official sealed transcript sent directly to them.
- Submit your criminal background check application to the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau.
- Register for the ASWB Master’s level exam. Confirm current attempt limits and retake policies with the Arkansas board and ASWB before registering.
- Once you pass, the board issues your LMSW license. A provisional license may be granted prior to passing the exam, depending on application status, to allow you to begin accumulating the supervised experience required for LCSW licensure.
If you’re still exploring MSW programs, our Arkansas MSW programs guide covers CSWE-accredited options across the state.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
Arkansas uses the title “Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW),” which is equivalent to the “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” designation used in most other states. It’s the highest license level in Arkansas and the only one that authorizes independent clinical practice, including the ability to independently diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Getting there requires a master’s or doctorate in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, plus two years and 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience before you can apply.
Steps to earn your LCSW in Arkansas:
- Before beginning supervised hours, submit a supervision plan to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board. Your plan must detail your practice setting, clinical duties, and treatment methods, and five professional goals you want to achieve during supervised hours.
- Complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of supervised clinical social work practice over at least two years, including at least 100 hours of direct supervision. Any change in supervisor requires a new supervision plan to be submitted to and approved by the board.
- Apply for your LCSW license with the Arkansas board and pay the $100 application fee.
- Submit your criminal background check through the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau and pay the $37.75 fee.
- Register for and pass the ASWB Clinical exam ($260 fee). Attempt limits are governed by the Arkansas board and ASWB, so confirm current retake policies before registering. Once you pass, you’re licensed for independent clinical practice in Arkansas and can provide clinical supervision that counts toward other social workers’ LCSW requirements.
Continuing Education Requirements
Keeping your Arkansas social work license active requires ongoing education. Licensed social workers at all three levels must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board defines continuing education broadly: it can include workshops, seminars, conferences, academic courses, and online programs, as long as the content develops social work knowledge and skills.
Choosing CE activities is largely your responsibility. The board doesn’t pre-approve individual workshops, so use your professional judgment to select content that’s relevant to your area of practice.
Social Worker Salaries in Arkansas
Salary in social work varies depending on which license you hold, where you practice, and what population you serve. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child, family, and school social workers in Arkansas earned a median annual salary of $42,960 as of May 2024. The top 25% of earners in the state brought in $50,560 or more.
Job growth projections from the BLS show continued demand across specialties. Healthcare social workers and mental health and substance abuse social workers in Arkansas are both projected to see around 11 to 12% growth between 2022 and 2032, with steady annual job openings in both categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LMSW and an LCSW in Arkansas?
The LMSW is a master’s level license that qualifies you to practice social work in a wide range of settings, but it doesn’t authorize independent clinical diagnosis or treatment. The LCSW (which Arkansas calls the “Licensed Certified Social Worker,” equivalent to the clinical license used in most other states) adds that clinical authorization. It requires the same MSW degree, 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and passage of the ASWB Clinical exam. If your goal is independent therapy or private clinical practice, the LCSW is the license you need.
How many supervised hours are required for the LCSW in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires a minimum of 4,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience completed over at least two years. You must submit a supervision plan to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board before you begin, and any change of supervisor requires a new plan. At least 100 of those hours must be direct, face-to-face supervision with your approved supervisor.
How long does it take to become a licensed social worker in Arkansas?
It depends on your target license level. An LSW takes roughly four years for the BSW degree, plus time to complete the application and pass the ASWB exam. An LMSW adds two to three years to the MSW. The LCSW requires at least two additional years of supervised clinical experience after the MSW. From start to finish, reaching the LCSW typically takes seven to nine years of combined education and post-degree experience.
What exam do I need to pass for an Arkansas social work license?
All three license levels require an exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The LSW uses the Bachelor’s-level exam ($230), the LMSW uses the Master’s-level exam, and the LCSW uses the Clinical-level exam ($260). Attempt limits and retake timelines are set by both the Arkansas board and ASWB, so confirm current policies before registering.
Do I need to complete continuing education to renew my Arkansas social work license?
Yes. All Arkansas social work licensees must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle. Activities can include workshops, conferences, seminars, and online courses, as long as the content addresses social work knowledge or skills relevant to your area of practice.
Key Takeaways
- Three license levels — Arkansas offers the LSW (BSW required), LMSW (MSW required), and LCSW (MSW plus 4,000 supervised clinical hours). Only the LCSW authorizes independent clinical practice.
- Arkansas’s “LCSW” title is unique — The state uses “Licensed Certified Social Worker” rather than the more common “Licensed Clinical Social Worker,” but the two are equivalent in practice.
- All applicants need a CSWE-accredited degree — your program’s accreditation determines your eligibility to apply. Confirm CSWE accreditation before enrolling.
- The LCSW supervision plan must come first — You must submit your plan to the board before beginning supervised hours, and it must be approved before those hours count.
- Continuing education is mandatory — 30 CE hours every two years is required to keep any Arkansas social work license active.
Ready to find the right MSW program? Explore CSWE-accredited programs in Arkansas and compare your options before you apply.
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.
