Washington licenses independent clinical social workers as the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker), through the Washington State Department of Health (Social Worker program). Washington has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but no multistate licenses are being issued yet. Below: what Washington asks of a social worker already licensed in another state, and where those applications slow down.
Washington Social Work License Requirements
Washington licenses social workers at 4 levels: the LSWAA (Licensed Social Worker Associate-Advanced), the LSWAIC (Licensed Social Worker Associate-Independent Clinical), the LASW (Licensed Advanced Social Worker) and the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker).
LASW: ASWB Advanced Generalist. Full non-clinical master's license: 3,000 supervised hours with 800 in direct client contact and 90 hours of supervision.
LICSW: ASWB Clinical.
Independent clinical practice requires the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker).
3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience for the clinical license, including 100 hours of direct supervision.
Licensed elsewhere: Under RCW 18.130.077, a social worker licensed for at least two years without discipline in a state Washington deems substantially equivalent does not repeat education or exams; the first state of licensure must also be equivalent. Separately, one year of active LICSW licensure elsewhere satisfies the supervised-hours rule (WAC 246-809-330), and a one-year probationary license is available through the reciprocity program.
How Much Does a Washington Social Work License Cost?
We have not published a Washington figure yet
We have not verified Washington State Department of Health (Social Worker program)'s current schedule, and board fees change between legislative sessions
Board: Washington State Department of Health (Social Worker program)
We handle the Washington 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 Washington Applications Get Delayed
The endorsement route expects 2 years of licensure elsewhere, counted at the level you are applying for.
Washington has no bachelor's-level license. MSW graduates start as an associate (LSWAA or LSWAIC) with no exam, then take ASWB Advanced Generalist (LASW) or Clinical (LICSW) for the full license.
LICSW hours: 3,000 over at least two years, with 1,000 hours of direct client contact supervised by an LICSW and 100 hours of supervision (70 with an LICSW, 60 one-to-one).
Applicants for a full license must also complete 36 CE hours, including 6 in law and ethics, after finishing their degree and before the license is issued.
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 Washington Social Work License
The Social Work Compact and Washington
Washington has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (March 19, 2024). When the Compact opens, a social worker whose home state is Washington 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 Washington license.
Keeping it current
Washington renews social work licenses on its own cycle. The license fee renews every year on the birthday; CE is 32 hours per two-year period, with 6 in professional ethics and law and 2 in professional roles and boundaries every two years, 2 in health equity every four years, and 6 in suicide assessment, treatment and management every six years. Associates need 16 hours every year. Holding licenses in several states means several calendars and several sets of CE rules, which is most of what our annual compliance service tracks.
Washington Social Work License FAQ
What social work licenses does Washington issue?
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Can I use the Social Work Compact for Washington?
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I'm licensed in another state. How do I get licensed in Washington?
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How many supervised hours does Washington 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.
- program page (redirect target of the old social-worker URL); 120-day pending-associate practice from 2025-10-01 — checked 2026-10-08
- LASW and LICSW hours, ASWB Advanced Generalist and Clinical exams, probationary license — checked 2026-10-08
- CE content and timing; 36 CE hours before full licensure — checked 2026-10-08
- substantial equivalency (two years licensed, RCW 18.130.077), universal-licensure caveat, probationary license — checked 2026-10-08
- WAC 246-809-320, -330, -340 (hours, associates need no prior hours, ASWB exams), -632 (associate CE), -990 (annual renewal); no jurisprudence exam — checked 2026-10-08
- HB 1939 compact, governor signed March 19 (Chapter 176, 2024 Laws), effective 2024-06-06 — 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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