North Dakota licenses independent clinical social workers as the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), through the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. North Dakota has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but no multistate licenses are being issued yet. Below: what North Dakota asks of a social worker already licensed in another state, and where those applications slow down.
North Dakota Social Work License Requirements
North Dakota licenses social workers at 3 levels: the LBSW (Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker), the LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) and the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).
LBSW: ASWB Bachelors. Called LSW before August 1, 2019; some board forms still use the old name.
LMSW: ASWB Masters. May perform clinical work only under LCSW supervision (N.D.C.C. 43-41-01(13)(b)).
LCSW: ASWB Clinical. Only the LCSW may engage in private practice (N.D.C.C. 43-41-05).
Independent clinical practice requires the LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker).
3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience for the clinical license, including 150 hours of direct supervision.
Licensed elsewhere: N.D.C.C. 43-41-07 licenses a person in good standing in another jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially the same, or whose qualifications the board finds substantially similar; N.D. Admin. Code 75.5-02-05-01 asks for a copy of the other state's law and rules as of initial licensure.
How Much Does a North Dakota Social Work License Cost?
We have not published a North Dakota figure yet
We have not verified North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners's current schedule, and board fees change between legislative sessions
We handle the North Dakota 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 North Dakota Applications Get Delayed
LCSW supervision is 3,000 post-master's hours within four years with at least 150 hours of face-to-face supervision, no more than 50 of them in groups; the supervision plan must be filed with the board before hours start counting (N.D. Admin. Code 75.5-02-03-04.1).
Since 2023 the statute lets the board suspend or waive the licensing exam or set exam alternatives (N.D.C.C. 43-41-09(4)), but the board's 2025 requirement pages still call for passing ASWB scores at every level.
North Dakota requires both a nationwide fingerprint background check and a child abuse and neglect index check for every applicant (N.D.C.C. 43-41-04.2).
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 North Dakota Social Work License
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
CE Requirement
30 CE hours per renewal cycle
The Social Work Compact and North Dakota
North Dakota has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (March 14, 2025). When the Compact opens, a social worker whose home state is North Dakota 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 North Dakota license.
Keeping it current
North Dakota renews social work licenses every 2 years, with 30 hours of continuing education per cycle. All licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years. At least 2 hours must be in social work ethics and no more than 10 may be independent (non-live) learning; 15 hours if first licensed January–June of the renewal year, none if licensed after July 1 (N.D. Admin. Code 75.5-02-03-07). Holding licenses in several states means several calendars and several sets of CE rules, which is most of what our annual compliance service tracks.
North Dakota Social Work License FAQ
What social work licenses does North Dakota issue?
+
Can I use the Social Work Compact for North Dakota?
+
I'm licensed in another state. How do I get licensed in North Dakota?
+
How many supervised hours does North Dakota require for the clinical license?
+
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.
- N.D.C.C. ch. 43-41: three license levels, 3,000 supervised hours in four years, private practice limited to LCSW, endorsement (43-41-07), board power to waive or suspend exams (43-41-09(4)), renewal every odd year — checked 2026-10-08
- N.D. Admin. Code 75.5-02-03: exam rules, 150 hours face-to-face supervision (max 50 group), 30 CE hours with 2 ethics, renewal timing — checked 2026-10-08
- N.D. Admin. Code 75.5-02-05: reciprocity application contents, military spouse licensing — checked 2026-10-08
- 2023 SB 2203 introduced text adding exam waiver and suspension authority to 43-41-09(4) — checked 2026-10-08
- Archived board page (June 2025): LCSW needs ASWB Clinical exam and 3,000 hours in 4 years. Board site www.ndbswe.com did not connect from this server, so board.url is null. — checked 2026-10-08
- Archived board page (June 2025): LBSW needs ASWB Bachelors exam; level called LSW before 8/1/2019 — checked 2026-10-08
- HB 1035 (2025), Social Work Licensure Compact, signed by the governor 03/14/2025 and filed with the Secretary of State 03/14 — 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.
View PricingBook Online
Share your details and preferred availability.