North Dakota Social Work License: LSW, LCSW, and LICSW Requirements
North Dakota issues three social work licenses: the LSW (bachelor’s level), LCSW (master’s level), and LICSW (independent clinical practice). Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree and an ASWB exam. The LICSW additionally requires 3,000 hours of supervised post-master’s clinical practice. All licenses renew every two years with 30 continuing education hours.
Social work in North Dakota runs through small cities, tribal communities, rural counties, and schools that serve kids hours from the nearest hospital. The people doing that work need a license, and the state’s three-tier system is designed to match credential level to scope of practice. Whether you’re finishing a BSW and ready to step into the field, completing an MSW and targeting clinical work, or building toward independent practice, the path is well-defined. Here’s what each license requires and what it lets you do.
All social work licenses in North Dakota are issued by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE). Requirements are set by the BSWE and may be updated, so always confirm current rules directly with the board before applying.
North Dakota Social Work License Requirements at a Glance
The table below compares all three licenses side by side. Each tier corresponds to a different education level and scope of practice.
| License | Degree Required | ASWB Exam | Supervision Hours | CE to Renew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSW | BSW (CSWE-accredited) | Bachelor’s level | None required | 30 hours (incl. 2 ethics) |
| LCSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | Master’s level | None required for initial licensure | 30 hours (incl. 2 ethics) |
| LICSW | MSW or DSW (CSWE-accredited) | Clinical level | 3,000 post-master’s hours (over 2–4 years) | 30 hours (incl. 2 ethics) |
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The Licensed Social Worker (LSW) is the entry-level license in North Dakota. It’s designed for social workers with a bachelor’s degree who are ready to practice in agency or organizational settings under supervision.
LSW Requirements
To qualify for the LSW, you need a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). At the time of application, you may need to demonstrate current or intended employment in a social work setting, per board requirements. The application also requires three professional references: a field supervisor, a social worker, and a faculty supervisor.
Background checks are required as part of every initial North Dakota social work application. That includes both a state and federal criminal history check and a Child Abuse Central Index check.
Once your application is approved, you’ll register with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and sit for the Bachelor’s level exam. You must achieve a passing score as determined by ASWB.
LSW Renewal
North Dakota social work licenses renew every two years on December 31st of odd-numbered years. To renew your LSW, you need 30 continuing education hours completed during that cycle, including at least 2 hours in social work ethics.
What the LSW Authorizes
The LSW credential allows you to practice generalist social work in agency settings. It doesn’t authorize independent or clinical practice. Most LSWs work in child welfare, school social work, case management, and community services under supervision.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is North Dakota’s master’s-level credential. Despite sharing a name with the clinical license used in some other states, the North Dakota LCSW is not a clinical license. It allows supervised clinical practice but not independent clinical work. That distinction matters when you’re choosing a graduate program or deciding which exam to sit for.
LCSW Requirements
To qualify, you need an MSW or DSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Like the LSW, you may need to demonstrate current or intended employment in a social work setting, provide three professional references, and clear both the criminal and Child Abuse Central Index background checks.
The LCSW requires passing the ASWB Master’s level exam within a timeframe set by the board after application approval. The board will notify ASWB once your application is approved. At that point, you have a set window to pass.
Learn about MSW programs in North Dakota if you’re still building toward this level, or explore doctoral degrees in social work for the most advanced options.
LCSW Renewal
Same renewal cycle as the LSW: every two years, 30 CE hours, including at least 2 in ethics.
What the LCSW Authorizes
The LCSW allows you to practice social work, including clinical social work, but not independently. LCSWs can provide counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, families, couples, and groups, but always under supervision. If you want to diagnose, treat mental health conditions, or open a private practice, you’ll need the LICSW.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) is the highest social work license in North Dakota. It authorizes independent clinical practice, including diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. It’s also the credential required to supervise others working toward their own LICSW.
LICSW Requirements
You must hold a current LCSW license before applying. From there, the path to LICSW centers on 3,000 hours of supervised post-master’s clinical practice, completed over no fewer than two years and no more than four. You’ll need to meet board requirements for how those hours are distributed across supervision types, including a required portion supervised by a licensed clinical social worker. If geographic location or disability creates hardship in securing qualified supervision, the board may allow other approved mental health professionals to supervise a portion of those hours.
Alongside accruing hours, you’ll sit for the ASWB Clinical level exam. Timing matters here: the board may require exam results to be recent, as defined by its current policies. If you pass too early, your results may no longer be accepted, and you’d need to retake the exam. Most candidates wait until they’re in the final stretch of their supervision hours before scheduling the test.
LICSW Renewal
Same as the other license levels: every two years, 30 CE hours with at least 2 in ethics.
What the LICSW Authorizes
The LICSW allows full independent clinical social work practice, including private practice, diagnosis, and treatment of addictions. It’s the credential for social workers who want to run their own practice or take on the most clinically complex cases without supervision.
Social Work Salaries in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child, family, and school social workers in North Dakota earn a median annual salary of $66,900 as of May 2024. The mean annual wage is $67,350, with the top 25% of earners taking home $77,480 or more. Entry-level positions (10th percentile) start around $47,250. For a broader look at how pay varies by specialty and state, see our social worker salaries overview.
The BLS projects about 8% growth for this occupation in North Dakota between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 60 job openings per year. That growth rate reflects consistent demand across the state’s child welfare, healthcare, and community service sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the LCSW and LICSW in North Dakota?
The LCSW is a master’s-level credential that allows supervised clinical social work practice. The LICSW is the clinical step above it, requiring 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience and the ASWB Clinical exam. Only the LICSW authorizes independent practice and private practice in North Dakota. You must hold the LCSW before applying for the LICSW.
Can I apply for the LICSW exam before finishing my supervision hours?
Yes, but with a significant caveat. The North Dakota BSWE will only accept ASWB Clinical exam results obtained within the year before you meet all licensure requirements. If you pass too early, your results expire, and you’ll need to retake the exam. Most candidates wait until they’re in the final phase of their supervision hours before scheduling the test.
Do I need to hold an LSW before applying for the LCSW?
Not necessarily. The LCSW requires a CSWE-accredited degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level, but it doesn’t require prior licensure as an LSW. However, the LICSW does require that you hold a current LCSW. If you’ve completed an MSW, you can apply directly for the LCSW without first obtaining the LSW.
How do continuing education requirements work in North Dakota?
All three North Dakota social work licenses renew on the same cycle: every two years on December 31st of odd-numbered years. You need 30 continuing education hours during each renewal period, and at least 2 of those hours must be in social work ethics. There’s also a cap on independent-study hours. Check with the BSWE for current specifics on approved providers and hour limits.
Does North Dakota offer license reciprocity for out-of-state social workers?
North Dakota does have an endorsement pathway for social workers licensed in other states. Requirements vary based on the license level and the state you’re coming from. The most current information is available directly from the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, which maintains application materials for each license level on its website.
Key Takeaways
- Three license levels: North Dakota issues the LSW (bachelor’s), LCSW (master’s), and LICSW (independent clinical). Each requires a CSWE-accredited degree and an ASWB exam at the corresponding level.
- The LCSW is not a clinical license: Despite the name, North Dakota’s LCSW allows supervised clinical work, not independent practice. The LICSW is the credential for independent and private practice.
- LICSW requires 3,000 supervised hours: Completed over 2–4 years post-master’s, with the first 1,500 hours under a licensed clinical social worker.
- ASWB exam timing matters for LICSW candidates: Results are only valid if obtained within one year of meeting all requirements. Don’t test too early.
- All licenses renew every two years: 30 CE hours required, including at least 2 in ethics, on a December 31st odd-year cycle.
- Median salary of $66,900: North Dakota social workers (child, family, and school) earn a median of $66,900 annually, with about 8% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS).
Ready to take the next step? Explore CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs that meet North Dakota’s licensure requirements.
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.
