Delaware Social Work License: How to Become an LCSW in DE
Delaware licenses social workers at three levels: the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The LCSW requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, 3,200 hours of supervised clinical experience over two to five years, and a passing score on the ASWB clinical exam.
If you want to practice social work in Delaware, you’ll need a license from the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE). The board issues three credential tiers, each tied to a different degree level and scope of practice. Which one you pursue depends on your education, your career goals, and how far you want to go in clinical practice.
Delaware Social Work License Tiers at a Glance
Before diving into the requirements for each license, it helps to understand how the three tiers relate to one another. Delaware’s licensing structure is straightforward: more education and clinical experience unlock more independent practice authority.
| License | Degree Required | Exam | Experience | CE Hours (per 2-yr cycle) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LBSW | BSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Bachelor’s | None required | 20 hours |
| LMSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Master’s | No supervised hours required | 30 hours |
| LCSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | ASWB Clinical | 3,200 hours over 2–5 years | 40 hours |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
The LBSW is the entry-level credential for social workers in Delaware. It’s designed for graduates with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and allows you to practice generalist social work under supervision. Most LBSWs are working toward a master’s degree or building experience before pursuing a higher license.
To qualify, you need a BSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Delaware has a limited number of CSWE-accredited BSW programs. Once you’ve completed your degree, you’ll need to pass the ASWB Bachelor’s level examination and submit your application through the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation’s DELPROS portal. A criminal background check and a consent form for the Delaware Child Protection Registry are required for all applicants.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW authorizes generalist practice at a more advanced level than the LBSW and allows you to practice clinical social work under the supervision of a licensed professional. Many social workers hold the LMSW while accumulating the supervised hours they need to sit for the LCSW.
You’ll need an MSW or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Some positions may require or prefer post-degree experience, but Delaware does not require supervised clinical hours for LMSW licensure itself. Delaware has a limited number of CSWE-accredited MSW programs, with options for both on-campus and online study. The ASWB Master’s exam is required, and the same background check and Child Protection Registry consent form apply. Applications are submitted through DELPROS.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is the highest social work license Delaware issues and the credential required for independent clinical practice. LCSWs can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy, and supervise other social workers working toward licensure. If you’re drawn to direct therapeutic work or private practice, this is the credential you’re working toward.
Education Requirements
You need an MSW or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. A PhD or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) can fulfill the education requirement for the LCSW, but note that the CSWE doesn’t accredit doctoral programs, so that degree path, on its own, doesn’t satisfy the education requirement. Your accredited MSW is the degree that counts for licensure purposes.
Supervised Experience
This is where most of the time investment happens. Delaware requires a minimum of 3,200 hours of post-degree supervised clinical social work experience, completed over 2 to 5 years. At least 1,600 of those hours must be under the direct supervision of an approved professional, with at least 100 of those hours being individual supervision (which may include approved in-person or synchronous virtual formats).
Your primary supervisor must be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. If no LCSW is available to supervise you, a licensed psychologist or licensed psychiatrist may be approved by the board. Note that recent regulatory changes (2024) have begun phasing out the use of LMSWs as supervisors for LCSW applicants, with a limited grandfathering provision for arrangements already in place. If you’re planning your supervision now, confirm your supervisor holds the LCSW credential.
Application and Exam
Applications are submitted through the DELPROS portal before all requirements are completed. The board will review your application and approve you to sit for the ASWB Clinical exam once your documentation is in order. The application fee is $195. Once approved, you have two years from your application date to pass the exam. The ASWB examination fee is $260, and exams are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. A fingerprint-based background check ($65) and the Delaware Child Protection Registry consent form are also required before your license can be issued.
Reciprocity
Delaware offers reciprocity for social workers who hold a current clinical social work license in another state, a U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia and have already passed the ASWB Clinical Exam at the national level. If you’re moving to Delaware with an active out-of-state LCSW, contact the BSWE directly to start the endorsement process through DELPROS. Requirements can vary depending on your originating state’s licensing standards.
Continuing Education Requirements
All Delaware social work licenses renew every two years. Licenses expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years (2025, 2027, and so on). CE requirements vary by license level, and at least six hours of every renewal cycle must cover professional ethics. An additional hour must be devoted to mandatory reporting. No more than 10 hours per cycle may come from self-directed learning activities (per board rules).
Here’s what each license requires per renewal cycle: LBSWs need 20 hours, LMSWs need 30 hours, and LCSWs need 40 hours. You’ll need to keep documentation of your completed CE for at least five years in case of an audit.
Social Worker Salaries in Delaware
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers in Delaware earn a median annual salary of $52,350, with the top 25 percent earning $70,190 or more (based on combined BLS social worker categories in Delaware). The BLS projects 5.7% growth in Delaware employment for child, family, and school social workers between 2022 and 2032, with an estimated average of 100 annual job openings. Healthcare social work is growing faster, at 12.5% projected growth over the same period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delaware have a license for social workers who haven’t completed their supervised hours yet?
No. Delaware doesn’t issue a transitional or provisional license for social workers accumulating post-degree hours toward the LCSW. You’ll practice under your LMSW while completing the required 3,200 hours, then apply for the LCSW once you’ve met the supervised experience requirement.
How do I verify a social worker’s license in Delaware?
License verification is available through the DELPROS license lookup tool on the Division of Professional Regulation’s website. You can search by name or license number to confirm current licensure status.
What exam do I need for each Delaware social work license?
Each license level requires its own ASWB exam: the Bachelor’s exam for the LBSW, the Master’s exam for the LMSW, and the Clinical exam for the LCSW. You apply for exam approval through DELPROS, and once approved, you register directly with the ASWB. The exam fee is $260 for all levels.
Can I practice independently with an LMSW in Delaware?
No. The LMSW allows you to practice clinical social work, but only under the supervision of an approved licensed professional. Independent clinical practice, including diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, requires the LCSW.
How long does it take to become an LCSW in Delaware?
At a minimum, plan on six to eight years. A CSWE-accredited BSW takes four years, and an MSW typically takes two more. After your MSW, you need at least two years of supervised post-degree experience to accumulate the required 3,200 hours, followed by passing the ASWB Clinical exam.
Key Takeaways
- Three license tiers: Delaware issues the LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW, each tied to a different degree level and scope of practice.
- LCSW requires 3,200 supervised hours: Completed over two to five years post-degree, with at least 1,600 hours under an LCSW supervisor and 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision.
- All applications go through DELPROS: Delaware’s online portal handles license applications, exam approvals, and renewals for all three license levels.
- Supervision rules changed in 2024: Recent regulatory changes have begun phasing out LMSWs as supervisors for LCSW applicants. Confirm your supervisor holds the LCSW credential before starting your hours.
- Licenses renew every two years: CE requirements range from 20 hours (LBSW) to 40 hours (LCSW) per cycle, with all levels requiring 6 ethics hours and 1 mandatory reporting hour.
Ready to pursue your Delaware social work license? Explore MSW programs and BSW options at CSWE-accredited schools to find the right fit for your career goals.
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.
