{
  "_schema": {
    "about": "Social work licensing requirements per US jurisdiction, for the FIRST credential an MSW graduate holds in that jurisdiction.",
    "nullRule": "null means we have not read that figure off the board's own page. It never means zero. Do not substitute a default, an average or another state's number.",
    "attribution": "Social Work Test Prep Academy is not affiliated with any state licensing board or with ASWB. We read each board's published pages and record what they say; the board's page is the source of record. Requirements change.",
    "fields": {
      "abbr": "Two-letter USPS code, uppercase.",
      "name": "Jurisdiction name.",
      "url": "Absolute URL of the human-readable page.",
      "json": "Absolute URL of the full record for this jurisdiction.",
      "checked": "true when we have read this board's own pages and published the record. false means no data yet, not \"no requirements\".",
      "firstCredential": "The first credential an MSW graduate holds here (abbreviation, title, and the ASWB exam category needed to hold it: \"none\" when it is issued without one, null when an exam applies but no board rule names its level, or when the sources disagree on whether one applies).",
      "examRequiredFirst": "true when the ASWB exam gates that first credential. false when the jurisdiction licenses or registers you first and the exam comes later (Michigan, California, Florida, Illinois). null when there is no yes-or-no ASWB answer; examOrderReason says why.",
      "examOrderReason": "Why examRequiredFirst is null (null when it is true or false). \"applicant\": the rule turns on the applicant (Connecticut's degree-date cutoff, Minnesota's provisional route, Colorado's jurisprudence exam). \"provider_unconfirmed\": an exam comes first but the rule names only one approved by the board, not ASWB (Louisiana). \"unchecked\": we have not read the board, or the first rung (Nebraska PCMSW). \"sources_conflict\": the primary sources disagree on whether the exam applies, so neither reading is stated (no jurisdiction today). The per-state JSON `summary` states the rule.",
      "knownFeesUsd": "Sum of ONLY the fixed fees the board publishes for that first credential, in US dollars. null when it publishes none. A level-dependent ASWB exam fee (a fee line with amount_by_level) is never in it; it is charged in addition.",
      "hours": "Plain-language supervised-hour requirement on the path, or the not-checked sentence.",
      "lastChecked": "ISO date WE last read the board pages behind this record. It is not a board review, approval or sign-off.",
      "compactMember": "true when the jurisdiction has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. null when not checked.",
      "compactStatus": "Social Work Licensure Compact status: \"enacted\", \"pending_legislation\" or \"no_active_legislation\", with the page it was read from and the ISO date checked. null when not checked.",
      "compactLicenses": "Whether multistate compact licenses are being issued anywhere yet, with the compact's own statement quoted and the ISO date checked.",
      "ladder": "Every rung of the licensure ladder in order. `exam` is the ASWB category required to HOLD that rung (\"none\" = no ASWB exam; null = an exam applies but no board rule names its level); `supervised` means practice only under supervision. Optional: `examChoice` (\"board\" | \"applicant\") says who picks from a multi-level `exam`; `checked: false` marks a rung we have not read a record for (not checked yet, never another license's steps); `examProvider: \"unconfirmed\"` marks a rule that names only an exam approved by the board, so ASWB is not asserted.",
      "fees": "The board's own fee lines for the first credential, each with the page it was read from. amount_usd is null when the board does not publish the amount (counted in unknownFeeCount), or when conflict is true: the sources state different amounts, so neither is used (counted in conflictFeeCount, never in knownFeesUsd). A line with amount_by_level is an ASWB exam fee that depends on the level, kept out of knownFeesUsd.",
      "aswbExam": "The exam for the first credential: level (null when no rule names it) and fee. provider \"unconfirmed\" when the rule names only an exam approved by the board, not ASWB. null when the credential is issued without an exam or its rung is not checked yet.",
      "supervision": "The supervised-experience package on the path, each figure with its own source page. A figure the board does not publish is null, and so is one with conflict: true, where the sources state different figures and neither is used (the hours line says it is not confirmed).",
      "applicationSequence": "The board's published order of operations, in the board's own terms.",
      "sources": "The board and statute pages this record was read from.",
      "records": "The raw rulebook records for this jurisdiction, unmodified.",
      "dataProblems": "Every field we could not state plainly, one entry per field: `credential` is the record it belongs to, `path` the field inside that record, `kind` why (unchecked, unpublished, not_applicable, conflict, stale_source, no_single_total), `note` the specifics, `sources` what each source says, verbatim, `askTheBoard` the question to put to the board (or null), `checked` the ISO date we read them. Empty when there are none."
    }
  },
  "abbr": "AR",
  "name": "Arkansas",
  "url": "https://www.socialworktestprepacademy.com/licensing/ar",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "checked": true,
  "lastChecked": "2026-09-27",
  "board": {
    "name": "Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board",
    "url": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/social-work-licensing-board/"
  },
  "firstCredential": {
    "abbr": "LMSW",
    "title": "Licensed Master Social Worker",
    "rung": "masters",
    "exam": "Masters"
  },
  "examRequiredFirst": true,
  "examOrderReason": null,
  "summary": "The ASWB Masters exam is required before the license.",
  "aswbExam": {
    "level": "Masters",
    "feeUsd": 230
  },
  "knownFeesUsd": 330,
  "unknownFeeCount": 0,
  "conflictFeeCount": 0,
  "fees": [
    {
      "name": "Application filing fee",
      "amount_usd": 100,
      "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
      "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
    },
    {
      "name": "ASWB Masters examination",
      "amount_usd": 230,
      "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/",
      "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
    }
  ],
  "supervision": {
    "experience_hours": {
      "value": 4000,
      "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
      "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
    },
    "client_contact_hours": null,
    "supervision_hours": {
      "value": 100,
      "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
      "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
    },
    "minimum_months": {
      "value": 24,
      "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
      "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
    },
    "maximum_months": null,
    "notes": [
      "The rule sets a required 24-month/4,000-hour minimum but states no separate maximum accrual window, so maximum_months is left null rather than assumed."
    ]
  },
  "hours": "4,000 hours, 100 supervision, for the LCSW",
  "compactMember": true,
  "compactNote": null,
  "compactStatus": {
    "status": "enacted",
    "sourceUrl": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/",
    "checkedOn": "2026-09-27"
  },
  "compactLicenses": {
    "issued": false,
    "statement": "The Social Work Licensure Compact has been enacted in at least seven states and has reached activation status, however multistate licenses are not yet being issued. The implementation process for the compact will take 12 to 24 months before multistate licenses are able to issued.",
    "sourceUrl": "https://swcompact.org/",
    "checkedOn": "2026-10-18"
  },
  "applicationSequence": [
    "Hold a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.",
    "Submit the application, official transcript, and criminal background check to the Board (Section II).",
    "First-time LMSW applicants receive a one-time provisional license, valid exactly one year, while completing remaining steps; provisional licensing is prohibited at the LCSW level.",
    "Pass the ASWB Masters examination (Levels & Qualifications, Board FAQ).",
    "Pay required fees; application is valid six months from the date filed (Section II.I)."
  ],
  "ladder": [
    {
      "rung": "bachelors",
      "abbr": "LSW",
      "title": "Licensed Social Worker",
      "exam": "Bachelors",
      "supervised": true,
      "source": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/ASWLB_Licensing_Information_and_Faqs_.pdf"
    },
    {
      "rung": "masters",
      "abbr": "LMSW",
      "title": "Licensed Master Social Worker",
      "exam": "Masters",
      "supervised": true,
      "source": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/ASWLB_Licensing_Information_and_Faqs_.pdf"
    },
    {
      "rung": "clinical",
      "abbr": "LCSW",
      "title": "Licensed Certified Social Worker",
      "exam": "Clinical",
      "supervised": false,
      "source": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label": "Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board · LMSW applicant resources",
      "url": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/social-work-licensing-board/"
    },
    {
      "label": "007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 024 Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board Rules",
      "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024"
    },
    {
      "label": "SWLB Licensing Information & FAQs",
      "url": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/ASWLB_Licensing_Information_and_Faqs_.pdf"
    },
    {
      "label": "LMSW fees · ASWB Masters examination",
      "url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/"
    },
    {
      "label": "Social Work Licensure Compact · member jurisdictions",
      "url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/"
    }
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "state": {
        "name": "Arkansas",
        "postal_code": "AR"
      },
      "license_target": {
        "track": "masters",
        "title": "Licensed Master Social Worker",
        "abbreviation": "LMSW"
      },
      "board": {
        "name": "Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board",
        "source_url": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/social-work-licensing-board/"
      },
      "fees": [
        {
          "name": "Application filing fee",
          "amount_usd": 100,
          "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        },
        {
          "name": "Biennial renewal fee",
          "amount_usd": 80,
          "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        },
        {
          "name": "ASWB Masters examination",
          "amount_usd": 230,
          "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        }
      ],
      "application_sequence": [
        "Hold a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.",
        "Submit the application, official transcript, and criminal background check to the Board (Section II).",
        "First-time LMSW applicants receive a one-time provisional license, valid exactly one year, while completing remaining steps; provisional licensing is prohibited at the LCSW level.",
        "Pass the ASWB Masters examination (Levels & Qualifications, Board FAQ).",
        "Pay required fees; application is valid six months from the date filed (Section II.I)."
      ],
      "aswb_exam": {
        "level": "Masters",
        "fee_usd": 230,
        "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/",
        "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
      },
      "supervision_requirement": null,
      "supervisor_eligibility": null,
      "forms": null,
      "processing_benchmark": null,
      "endorsement_rules": {
        "value": "The Board may approve licensure through endorsement for an applicant currently licensed to practice social work in another state, district, territory, or Canadian province whose standards are substantially equivalent to Arkansas's, who passed a licensing-entity-approved exam there and holds an accredited social work degree.",
        "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
        "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
      },
      "compact_status": {
        "member": true,
        "multistate_licenses_available": null,
        "source_url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/",
        "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
      },
      "last_verified": "2026-09-27",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 024 Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board Rules",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024"
        },
        {
          "label": "SWLB Licensing Information & FAQs",
          "url": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/ASWLB_Licensing_Information_and_Faqs_.pdf"
        }
      ],
      "gaps": {
        "supervision_requirement": {
          "kind": "not_applicable",
          "note": "The LMSW has no supervised-experience requirement; supervision belongs to the LCSW record.",
          "sources": [],
          "checked": "2026-09-29",
          "ask_the_board": null
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "state": {
        "name": "Arkansas",
        "postal_code": "AR"
      },
      "license_target": {
        "track": "clinical",
        "title": "Licensed Certified Social Worker",
        "abbreviation": "LCSW"
      },
      "board": {
        "name": "Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board",
        "source_url": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/social-work-licensing-board/"
      },
      "fees": [
        {
          "name": "Application filing fee",
          "amount_usd": 100,
          "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        },
        {
          "name": "Biennial renewal fee",
          "amount_usd": 80,
          "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        },
        {
          "name": "ASWB Clinical examination",
          "amount_usd": 260,
          "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        }
      ],
      "application_sequence": [
        "Hold a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.",
        "Register supervision and begin accruing 4,000 hours of postmaster's supervised Master's-level social work experience over 24 months, under an LCSW (Section VI.B.2).",
        "Complete at least 100 hours of direct supervision during that 24-month period, with no more than 2 hours in any one week (Section VI.B.3).",
        "Submit the application, transcript, and background check to the Board.",
        "Pass the ASWB Clinical examination."
      ],
      "aswb_exam": {
        "level": "Clinical",
        "fee_usd": 260,
        "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/",
        "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
      },
      "supervision_requirement": {
        "experience_hours": {
          "value": 4000,
          "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        },
        "client_contact_hours": null,
        "supervision_hours": {
          "value": 100,
          "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        },
        "minimum_months": {
          "value": 24,
          "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
          "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
        },
        "maximum_months": null,
        "notes": [
          "The rule sets a required 24-month/4,000-hour minimum but states no separate maximum accrual window, so maximum_months is left null rather than assumed."
        ]
      },
      "supervisor_eligibility": [
        "Must be an LCSW, or a social worker the Board determines has equivalent qualifications, fully licensed for at least three (3) years (Section VI.B.1)."
      ],
      "forms": null,
      "processing_benchmark": null,
      "endorsement_rules": {
        "value": "The Board may approve licensure through endorsement for an applicant currently licensed elsewhere with substantially equivalent standards; an LCSW endorsement applicant must still document 24 months / 4,000 hours of supervised master's-level social work experience under an LCSW. A separate $20 fee applies to endorse an Arkansas license to another state.",
        "source_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024",
        "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
      },
      "compact_status": {
        "member": true,
        "multistate_licenses_available": null,
        "source_url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/",
        "verified_date": "2026-09-27"
      },
      "last_verified": "2026-09-27",
      "sources": [
        {
          "label": "007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 024 Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board Rules",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/007-33-20-Ark-Code-R-024"
        },
        {
          "label": "SWLB Licensing Information & FAQs",
          "url": "https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/ASWLB_Licensing_Information_and_Faqs_.pdf"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "dataProblems": [
    {
      "credential": "LMSW",
      "path": "supervision_requirement",
      "kind": "not_applicable",
      "note": "The LMSW has no supervised-experience requirement; supervision belongs to the LCSW record.",
      "sources": [],
      "askTheBoard": null,
      "checked": "2026-09-29"
    }
  ]
}