Arizona licenses independent clinical social workers as the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Arizona has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but no multistate licenses are being issued yet. Below: what Arizona asks of a social worker already licensed in another state, and where those applications slow down.
Arizona Social Work License Requirements
Arizona licenses social workers at 4 levels: the LBSW (Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker), the LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker), the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and the Temporary license (Temporary license).
LBSW: ASWB Bachelors. The Masters, Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam is also accepted. Clinical practice only under direct supervision.
LMSW: ASWB Masters. The Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam is also accepted. Clinical practice only under direct supervision.
LCSW: ASWB Clinical. Endorsement applicants licensed as clinical social workers before July 1, 2004 may qualify with the Advanced Generalist exam.
Independent clinical practice requires the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).
3,200 hours of post-master's supervised experience for the clinical license, including 100 hours of direct supervision.
Licensed elsewhere: Arizona issues a license by endorsement to someone licensed for at least one year at a substantially equivalent level in another state. LCSW endorsement also requires a master's or higher degree; LBSW and LMSW endorsement licensees may practice only under direct supervision.
How Much Does an Arizona Social Work License Cost?
We have not published an Arizona figure yet
We have not verified Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners's current schedule, and board fees change between legislative sessions
We handle the Arizona application end-to-end.
Eligibility screening, document prep, board follow-ups, and tracking — so you don't lose a board meeting cycle to a missing form.
View full pricingWhere Arizona Applications Get Delayed
The endorsement route expects 1 year of licensure elsewhere, counted at the level you are applying for.
At 3,200 hours, Arizona asks for more supervised clinical experience than most states. Check whether your hours elsewhere will be credited before you plan a start date.
The 3,200 clinical hours take at least 24 months and must include 1,600 hours of direct client contact (no more than 400 in psychoeducation) and at least one hour of clinical supervision in every month with client contact.
At least 50 of the 100 supervision hours must come from an LCSW licensed by the Arizona board.
Supervisor attestations and verifications from other boards take the longest. Request them the week you decide to apply, not the week you file.
Renewing Your Arizona Social Work License
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
CE Requirement
30 CE hours per renewal cycle
The Social Work Compact and Arizona
Arizona has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (June 21, 2024). When the Compact opens, a social worker whose home state is Arizona will be able to apply for one multistate license that covers every member state, and members' multistate licensees will be able to practice here. That has not happened yet: as of October 2026 the Commission was still building its data system and had issued no multistate licenses. Until it does, practicing here takes an Arizona license.
Keeping it current
Arizona renews social work licenses every 2 years, with 30 hours of continuing education per cycle. At least 3 hours in behavioral health ethics or mental health law, 3 in cultural competency and diversity, and the 3-hour Arizona Statutes/Regulations Tutorial each period; excess hours do not carry over. Holding licenses in several states means several calendars and several sets of CE rules, which is most of what our annual compliance service tracks.
Arizona Social Work License FAQ
What social work licenses does Arizona issue?
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Can I use the Social Work Compact for Arizona?
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I'm licensed in another state. How do I get licensed in Arizona?
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How many supervised hours does Arizona require for the clinical license?
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Where these facts come from
Checked against primary sources. Boards change rules between sessions, so we confirm the current process again before anything is filed.
- LBSW requirements — checked 2026-10-08
- LMSW requirements — checked 2026-10-08
- LCSW requirements — checked 2026-10-08
- endorsement after one year of licensure; supervision for non-clinical endorsement licensees — checked 2026-10-08
- two-year renewal — checked 2026-10-08
- accepted ASWB exams by level — checked 2026-10-08
- 3,200 supervised hours, direct contact rules — checked 2026-10-08
- 100 hours of clinical supervision, 50 by an Arizona LCSW — checked 2026-10-08
What Working with Us Costs
Transparent, a la carte service fees. Board, exam and fingerprinting fees are paid directly to those organizations. Our concierge fee is separate and is the only thing you pay us.
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