Colorado licenses independent clinical social workers as the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), through the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners. Colorado has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but no multistate licenses are being issued yet. Below: what Colorado asks of a social worker already licensed in another state, and where those applications slow down.
Colorado Social Work License Requirements
Colorado licenses social workers at 3 levels: the LSW (Licensed Social Worker), the SWC (Clinical Social Worker Candidate) and the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).
LSW: ASWB Masters. Requires a master's in social work; only the Masters exam has been accepted since July 1, 2022. A state jurisprudence exam is also required.
LCSW: ASWB Clinical. A state jurisprudence exam is also required.
Independent clinical practice requires the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).
3,360 hours of post-master's supervised experience for the clinical license, including 96 hours of direct supervision.
Colorado requires a state law or jurisprudence exam.
Licensed elsewhere: Colorado endorses holders of a current, unrestricted social work license from another state through its Occupational Credential Portability Program. You must have an MSW, have passed the exam for your level or meet the active-practice alternatives, and pass the Colorado jurisprudence exam.
How Much Does a Colorado Social Work License Cost?
We have not published a Colorado figure yet
We have not verified Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners's current schedule, and board fees change between legislative sessions
We handle the Colorado 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 Colorado Applications Get Delayed
At 3,360 hours, Colorado asks for more supervised clinical experience than most states. Check whether your hours elsewhere will be credited before you plan a start date.
Colorado has no bachelor's-level license; the LSW requires a master's degree in social work.
Post-degree hours count toward the LCSW only after you register as a candidate (or hold another qualifying credential), and at least 1,680 of the 3,360 hours must involve treatment, diagnosis, assessment or counseling.
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 Colorado Social Work License
CE Requirement
40 CE hours per renewal cycle
The Social Work Compact and Colorado
Colorado has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (June 3, 2024). When the Compact opens, a social worker whose home state is Colorado 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 a Colorado license.
Keeping it current
Colorado renews social work licenses on its own cycle, with 40 hours of continuing education per cycle. Continuing professional development: 40 professional development hours each renewal cycle, plus a practice rubric and learning plan. Up to 5 hours may 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.
Colorado Social Work License FAQ
What social work licenses does Colorado issue?
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Can I use the Social Work Compact for Colorado?
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I'm licensed in another state. How do I get licensed in Colorado?
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How many supervised hours does Colorado 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.
- C.R.S. 12-245-404: LSW and LCSW requirements, jurisprudence exam, candidate registration — checked 2026-10-08
- 3,360 hours over 24 months, 96 supervision hours, jurisprudence exam — checked 2026-10-08
- endorsement through the Occupational Credential Portability Program — checked 2026-10-08
- 40 PDH per renewal cycle — checked 2026-10-08
- LSW takes the ASWB Masters exam (only exam accepted since 2022-07-01); LCSW takes the Clinical exam — checked 2026-10-08
- HB 24-1002 signed by the governor 2024-06-03 — checked 2026-10-08
- compact status: enacted — checked 2026-10-08
- compact status: enacted — 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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