Minnesota Social Work License Requirements: LSW, LGSW, LISW, and LICSW
Minnesota has four social work licenses: LSW, LGSW, LISW, and LICSW. Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree, a background check, and passing the appropriate ASWB exam as part of the licensure process. The LICSW is the highest tier and allows independent clinical practice. All four licenses require 40 hours of continuing education to renew.
If you want to practice social work in Minnesota, you’ll need a license before you can work independently. The state recognizes four license types, and which one you pursue depends on your degree, your career goals, and whether you want to do clinical work. Getting clear on those distinctions early saves you from choosing a graduate program that doesn’t match where you’re headed.
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Here’s a quick look at the four licenses and what each one allows you to do:
| License | Minimum Degree | Scope of Practice | ASWB Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSW | BSW (CSWE-accredited) | Nonclinical social work under supervision | Bachelor’s Level |
| LGSW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | Nonclinical social work; supervised clinical work allowed | Master’s Level |
| LISW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | Independent nonclinical practice; supervised clinical work allowed | Master’s Level |
| LICSW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | Independent clinical practice; can supervise lower-level licenses | Clinical Level |
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The LSW is Minnesota’s entry-level social work license. It’s a strong starting point if you have a bachelor’s degree and want to begin building experience toward a higher license. Here’s what you need to get it:
- Earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited school. The board also accepts degrees from the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work (CASW) or a similar accreditation body that it has approved. A Doctorate of Social Work from an accredited school qualifies as well.
- Application and background check fees apply; check current rates with the Minnesota Board of Social Work. You’ll also need to complete a fingerprint background check through a state-approved agency.
- Submit your application online through the Minnesota Health Licensing Online portal or by paper application through the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
- Pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Level Exam. ASWB exam fees vary by level; check current pricing when registering at ASWB’s registration portal.
- Supervised practice hours may be required depending on your employment setting or if you plan to advance to a higher license. If supervision is required, you’ll need to complete a Supervision Plan as part of your initial licensing paperwork, and have your board-approved supervisor complete the Nonclinical Supervision Verification form once you’ve finished.
- Renew your license every two years. Renewal requires 40 contact hours of continuing education.
- Learn about the Minnesota Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW).
- Visit the Minnesota Board of Social Work for official application materials.
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
The LGSW is the first license available to MSW graduates. It lets you practice nonclinical social work in a wider range of settings, and it opens the door to supervised clinical work if you’re on a path toward the LICSW. If you haven’t completed your accredited MSW programs in Minnesota yet, that’s the logical first step. Here’s what the LGSW requires:
- Earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited school, a CASW-accredited school, or a program approved by the board. A Doctorate of Social Work from an accredited school also qualifies.
- Application and background check fees apply; check current rates with the Minnesota Board of Social Work. You’ll also need to complete a fingerprint background check through a state-approved agency.
- Submit your application online through the Minnesota Health Licensing Online portal or by paper through the Board’s downloadable forms page.
- Log 4,000 hours of supervised nonclinical practice with at least 100 hours of direct supervision. Complete the Nonclinical Supervision Plan at the start, and have your supervisor complete the Nonclinical Supervision Verification form when you’re done.
- If you want to pursue clinical practice under LGSW, clinical practice requirements vary based on supervision status and must meet Minnesota Board guidelines. Submit a Clinical Supervision Plan to the board and have your supervisor complete a Clinical Supervision Verification form after you finish.
- Pass the ASWB Master’s Level Exam. ASWB exam fees vary by level; check current pricing when registering at ASWB’s registration portal.
- Renew your license every two years. Renewal requires 40 contact hours of continuing education.
Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
The LISW allows you to practice nonclinical social work independently, without supervision. LISW allows supervised clinical work under an LICSW, but independent clinical practice requires the LICSW. Many social workers who want clinical independence aim straight for the LICSW rather than stopping at the LISW. Here’s what the LISW requires:
- Earn an MSW from a CSWE-accredited school, a CASW-accredited school, or a board-approved equivalent. A Doctorate of Social Work also qualifies.
- Log 4,000 hours of supervised nonclinical practice with at least 100 hours of direct supervision. Complete the Nonclinical Supervision Plan at the start, and have your supervisor complete the Nonclinical Supervision Verification form afterward.
- Application and background check fees apply; check current rates with the Minnesota Board of Social Work. You’ll also need to complete a fingerprint background check through a state-approved agency.
- Submit your application online through the Minnesota Health Licensing Online portal or by paper through the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
- Pass the ASWB Master’s Level Exam. ASWB exam fees vary by level; check current pricing when registering at ASWB’s registration portal.
- Renew your license every two years. Renewal requires 40 contact hours of continuing education.
- Learn about the Doctorate Degree in Social Work (DSW).
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
The LICSW is the highest social work license in Minnesota. It lets you diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently, run a private practice, work in an agency clinical setting, and supervise LSW, LGSW, and LISW licensees. If one-on-one therapeutic work is where you’re headed, this is the credential that gets you there. If you’re weighing social work licensure against counseling licensure, it’s worth reviewing the Minnesota LPC and LPCC requirements to understand how the two paths differ. Here’s what the LICSW requires:
- Earn an MSW from a CSWE-accredited school, a CASW-accredited school, or a board-approved equivalent. A Doctorate of Social Work also qualifies.
- Log 4,000 hours of clinical social work practice. At least 200 of those hours must be supervised, and at least 1,800 must be direct client contact. Submit a Clinical Supervision Plan to the board, and have your supervisor complete the Clinical Supervision Verification form when you’re done.
- Complete 360 Clinical Clock Hours through your CSWE-accredited graduate program, distributed across six areas:
- 108 hours in biopsychosocial assessment, including normative development, psychopathology, and differential diagnosis across the full human lifespan.
- 36 hours in assessment-based clinical treatment planning, with measurable goals.
- 108 hours in clinical intervention methods grounded in current social work practice standards and research.
- 18 hours in evaluation methodologies.
- 72 hours in social policy, cultural context, diversity, and social work ethics and values.
- 18 hours in culturally specific clinical assessments and interventions.
Have your graduate program official complete the 360 Clinical Clock Hours forms.
- Application and background check fees apply; check current rates with the Minnesota Board of Social Work. You’ll also need to complete a fingerprint background check through a state-approved agency.
- Submit your application online through the Minnesota Health Licensing Online portal or by paper through the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
- Pass the ASWB Clinical Level Exam. ASWB exam fees vary by level; check current pricing when registering at ASWB’s registration portal.
- Renew your license every two years. Renewal requires 40 contact hours of continuing education.
Continuing Education and License Renewal
All four Minnesota social work licenses (LSW, LGSW, LISW, and LICSW) renew on a two-year cycle. The continuing education requirement is the same across all tiers: 40 contact hours per renewal period.
The Minnesota Board of Social Work requires that some of those hours address specific topics. Check the board’s current CE requirements before your renewal cycle begins, since topic requirements can be updated. You can look up your license status and renewal deadlines through the Minnesota Board of Social Work website.
Social Worker Salaries in Minnesota
Salary varies depending on which social work specialty you enter. According to BLS data for specific social work categories, child, family, and school social workers in Minnesota earn a median annual salary of $65,010, with a mean of $68,580 as of May 2024. Mental health and substance abuse social workers represent a separate BLS category with its own projections. BLS data projects 5.7% growth for child, family, and school social workers in Minnesota between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 720 job openings per year statewide. Mental health and substance abuse social workers in Minnesota are on a slightly faster growth track at 6.5% projected growth, with around 260 openings annually in that specialty. Social workers specifically focused on that specialty may also want to explore the Minnesota substance abuse counselor certification track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the LGSW and the LICSW in Minnesota?
The LGSW is a post-MSW license that allows nonclinical practice and supervised clinical work. The LICSW allows fully independent clinical practice, including diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. If you want to run a therapy practice or work as a clinical social worker without supervision, you need the LICSW. The LGSW is often a stepping stone on the way there.
Do I need an MSW to get a social work license in Minnesota?
Not for the entry-level LSW. That license requires a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s in social work (BSW). All three higher licenses (LGSW, LISW, and LICSW) require at least an MSW. A Doctorate of Social Work from an accredited school satisfies the degree requirement for all four tiers.
How long does it take to become an LICSW in Minnesota?
Plan on at least four to six years after your BSW, or two to four years after your MSW. You’ll need to complete your graduate degree, log 4,000 hours of supervised clinical practice (which typically takes two to three years full-time), and pass the ASWB Clinical Level Exam. The 360 clinical clock hours are completed during your MSW program, not after.
Does Minnesota have social work license reciprocity with other states?
Minnesota does not have a formal reciprocity agreement with other states, but you may be able to apply by endorsement if you hold a current license in another state. The Minnesota Board of Social Work reviews endorsement applications on a case-by-case basis. Contact the board directly to confirm current requirements before you apply.
How much does it cost to apply for a Minnesota social work license?
Application and background check fees apply at all four license tiers; check current rates directly with the Minnesota Board of Social Work. ASWB exam fees vary by level as well; check current pricing when you register through ASWB’s portal. Budget for both the board application and the exam when planning your licensure timeline.
Key Takeaways
- Four license tiers: Minnesota recognizes four tiers: LSW, LGSW, LISW, and LICSW. Each has different degree, exam, and supervised-hours requirements.
- Clinical independence requires the LICSW: Only the LICSW allows you to diagnose, treat, and practice without supervision in a clinical setting.
- All licenses require continuing education: Every tier renews on a two-year cycle, with 40 contact hours of CE required.
- ASWB exams are required at every tier: The Bachelor’s Level exam for the LSW, the Master’s Level exam for the LGSW and LISW, and the Clinical Level exam for the LICSW.
- Salary varies by specialty: Minnesota child, family, and school social workers earn a median of $65,010 annually (BLS, May 2024), with steady job growth projected through 2032.
Ready to find an MSW program in Minnesota? Explore accredited options that fit your schedule and 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.
