Massachusetts licenses independent clinical social workers as the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker), through the Board of Registration of Social Workers. A Social Work Licensure Compact bill has been introduced in Massachusetts but not enacted. Below: what Massachusetts asks of a social worker already licensed in another state, and where those applications slow down.
Massachusetts Social Work License Requirements
Massachusetts licenses social workers at 4 levels: the LSWA (Licensed Social Work Associate), the LSW (Licensed Social Worker), the LCSW (Licensed Certified Social Worker) and the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker).
LSWA: ASWB Associate. Associate-level passing score on the ASWB Basic (bachelors) exam per 258 CMR 9.06. Open to holders of an associate degree or 60 credits in a human services field, any bachelor's degree, or 1,000 hours of approved social work education.
LSW: ASWB Bachelors. Regulation names the ASWB "Basic" exam. A BSW qualifies directly; other degrees or no degree qualify with 3,500 to 17,500 hours of supervised social work experience (258 CMR 9.05).
LCSW: ASWB Masters. Regulation names the ASWB "Intermediate" exam. In Massachusetts the LCSW is the master's-level license, not the independent clinical one.
LICSW: ASWB Clinical.
Independent clinical practice requires the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker).
3,500 hours of post-master's supervised experience for the clinical license, including 100 hours of direct supervision.
Licensed elsewhere: A social worker licensed in another ASWB member jurisdiction can be licensed without retaking the exam if the education, experience and scope of the license held are substantially equivalent and the license was earned by passing the ASWB exam for that level (258 CMR 9.07).
How Much Does a Massachusetts Social Work License Cost?
We have not published a Massachusetts figure yet
We have not verified Board of Registration of Social Workers's current schedule, and board fees change between legislative sessions
We handle the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Applications Get Delayed
At 3,500 hours, Massachusetts asks for more supervised clinical experience than most states. Check whether your hours elsewhere will be credited before you plan a start date.
The titles do not line up with most states: the Massachusetts LCSW is the master's-level license, and the independent clinical license is the LICSW.
The LICSW requires 3,500 hours of clinical social work over at least two years after LCSW licensure, with at least 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision from an LICSW, and the ASWB Clinical exam passed within two years of applying.
Exam scores must be no more than two years old at application for every level.
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 Massachusetts Social Work License
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
CE Requirement
30 CE hours per renewal cycle
The Social Work Compact and Massachusetts
Massachusetts is not a Social Work Licensure Compact member. A bill to join has been introduced, but nothing changes until it is enacted, and even then no state is issuing multistate licenses yet. Plan on a Massachusetts license.
Keeping it current
Massachusetts renews social work licenses every 2 years, with 30 hours of continuing education per cycle. CE hours per two-year period depend on level: 30 for LICSW, 20 for LCSW, 15 for LSW, 10 for LSWA. Licenses renew on the licensee's birthday. A one-time domestic and sexual violence training is required. Social workers employed only by state, county or municipal government are exempt from CE. Holding licenses in several states means several calendars and several sets of CE rules, which is most of what our annual compliance service tracks.
Massachusetts Social Work License FAQ
What social work licenses does Massachusetts issue?
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Can I use the Social Work Compact for Massachusetts?
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I'm licensed in another state. How do I get licensed in Massachusetts?
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How many supervised hours does Massachusetts 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.
- LICSW: 3,500 hours, 100 hours supervision, ASWB Clinical exam — checked 2026-10-08
- LCSW: master's degree, ASWB Intermediate exam — checked 2026-10-08
- LSW: education and experience routes, ASWB Basic exam — checked 2026-10-08
- LSWA: education, Associate passing score on Basic exam — checked 2026-10-08
- licensure by reciprocity — checked 2026-10-08
- two-year renewal on birthday — checked 2026-10-08
- CE hours by level, government exemption, domestic violence training — checked 2026-10-08
- board name (258 CMR, Board of Registration of Social Workers) — 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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