Social Work Licensure in Indiana
Indiana issues three social work licenses: the LBSW (bachelor’s level), LSW (master’s level), and LCSW (clinical). Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree and a passing score on the ASWB exam. The LCSW also requires two years of supervised post-graduate clinical experience. The Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board oversees all three credentials.
If you’re trying to figure out which Indiana social work license applies to your situation and what it takes to get there, this guide lays it out clearly. Indiana has three licensing tiers, each tied to a different education level and scope of practice. Knowing which one fits your goals before you choose a degree program can save you years of unnecessary coursework.
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Here is the official website for the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Board before applying.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
The LBSW is Indiana’s entry-level credential. It’s the right starting point if you want to begin working in social services without committing to a master’s degree right away. LBSWs work in generalist settings: youth services, advocacy programs, public health agencies, and community organizations. They provide direct services to individuals, families, and groups. Clinical mental health treatment isn’t within scope at this level.
To earn your LBSW in Indiana:
- Earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program. Note: starting July 1, 2025, BSW students in their final semester can apply and sit for the ASWB exam before graduation.
- Submit an application to the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee. The application is available here.
- Pass a criminal background check and submit sealed transcripts.
- Pass the ASWB bachelor’s-level exam. Register at the ASWB website and pay the non-refundable exam fee of $230. You have three attempts before you must re-register and pay again.
- Once the Board receives your passing score, your LBSW license will be issued.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The LSW requires a master’s degree and opens doors to a wider range of social work roles. LSWs work with individuals, families, and communities across settings, including case management, school social work, and community organizations. They don’t provide independent clinical mental health treatment. If you eventually want clinical licensure, the LSW is typically the required step before pursuing your LCSW.
To earn your LSW in Indiana:
- Earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited university or college. An MSW is required for the LSW. A standalone BSW no longer qualifies for new applicants.
- Submit an application to the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee. The application is available here.
- Pass the ASWB master’s-level exam. Register at the ASWB website and pay the non-refundable exam fee of $230. You have three attempts before you must re-register.
- Pass Indiana’s jurisprudence examination. After your application is approved, the Board will email you the 30-question true/false and multiple-choice exam. You have 14 days to complete and return it. The passing score is 75%.
- Once all requirements are met, you’ll receive your LSW license.
Explore MSW programs in Indiana if you’re still deciding on a graduate school.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is Indiana’s highest social work credential. It’s what you need to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, run a private practice, or work in clinical behavioral health settings independently. Getting there takes time: a master’s or doctoral degree, then two years of supervised clinical experience. It’s the credential that opens the most doors.
To earn your LCSW in Indiana:
- Earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Doctorate of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. Learn about the Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) if you’re considering that path.
- Complete two years (3,000 hours) of post-degree supervised clinical experience. The experience must be paid, full-time, and focused on clinical social work, with at least 50% direct client contact, including assessment and evaluation. If you’re accumulating hours in Indiana, you must hold an active LSW license or a Temporary LSW Permit while doing so. The Board may consider part-time experience, but the two-year minimum cannot be shortened under any circumstances.
- Document at least four hours of face-to-face supervision each month throughout the two years. Supervision must be provided by a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). As of July 2024, Indiana allows up to 100% of required supervision to be completed virtually, subject to the Board’s definition of virtual supervision.
- Submit your application and the $50 non-refundable fee to the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. The application is available here.
- Pass Indiana’s jurisprudence examination. This is the same 30-question exam as the LSW, administered after application approval, with a 14-day completion window and a 75% passing threshold.
- Pass the ASWB clinical-level exam. Register at the ASWB website and pay the non-refundable exam fee of $260. You can also visit our LCSW exam guide for prep resources. You have three attempts before re-registration is required.
- Once you’ve passed the exam, your LCSW will be issued.
You can find full rules and regulations at the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board.
License Renewal
All Indiana social work licenses (LBSW, LSW, and LCSW) renew every two years, with renewal due by March 31 of even-numbered years. To renew, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) per renewal cycle, including at least 20 hours of Category I CE and 2 hours in ethics. Renewal details are available through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Social Worker Salaries in Indiana
Salaries in Indiana vary meaningfully by specialty. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child, family, and school social workers in Indiana earned a median annual salary of $48,730 as of May 2024, with a mean of $55,130. The state employs roughly 6,270 social workers in this category.
Job growth projections from the BLS (2022–2032) show strong demand across specialties in Indiana. Healthcare social workers are projected to grow 11.2%, faster than average, with an average of 460 annual openings. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are projected to grow 14.1%, adding around 140 openings per year. Child, family, and school social work is projected to grow by 5.2%, with an average of 570 annual openings statewide.
Clinical licensure (LCSW) generally correlates with higher earnings, particularly in healthcare and behavioral health settings where clinical credentials are required for billing and independent practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an MSW to get licensed in Indiana?
It depends on which license you’re pursuing. The LBSW requires only a BSW. Both the LSW and LCSW require an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. A standalone BSW no longer qualifies for the LSW in Indiana.
How long does it take to become an LCSW in Indiana?
Figure on a minimum of four years after high school for your BSW, then two or more years for an MSW, then two additional years accumulating supervised clinical hours. The full path from start to LCSW is typically seven to nine years, depending on whether you go straight through or work between degrees.
What is the ASWB exam, and who has to take it?
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) administers standardized licensing exams used in most U.S. states. In Indiana, every license level requires a passing score on the appropriate ASWB exam: bachelor’s level for the LBSW ($230), master’s level for the LSW ($230), and clinical level for the LCSW ($260). Exam fees are non-refundable, and you get 3 attempts before re-registering.
Can I transfer my social work license from another state to Indiana?
Indiana doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements, but does offer licensure by endorsement for qualified out-of-state applicants. LSW and LCSW applicants applying by endorsement must still pass Indiana’s jurisprudence exam. Contact the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board directly for current endorsement requirements.
How often do I need to renew my Indiana social work license?
Indiana social work licenses renew every two years, with renewal due by March 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires 40 hours of continuing education, with at least 20 hours in Category I and 2 hours specifically in ethics.
Key Takeaways
- Three license levels. Indiana issues the LBSW (BSW required), LSW (MSW required), and LCSW (MSW plus two years of supervised clinical experience).
- ASWB exam is required at every level. Fees are $230 for the bachelor’s and master’s exams, $260 for the clinical exam.
- LCSW takes time to earn. The two-year, 3,000-hour supervised experience requirement can’t be shortened, and hours accumulated in Indiana must be completed under an active LSW license or a Temporary Permit.
- Strong job growth projected. Mental health and substance abuse social work in Indiana is projected to grow 14.1% through 2032, with healthcare social work close behind at 11.2%.
- License renewal is every two years. 40 CE hours are required per cycle, with renewal due by March 31 of even-numbered years.
Ready to find a program that fits your path? Browse CSWE-accredited social work degrees in Indiana and compare options at every level.
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.
