{ "_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, null when none is).", "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).", "knownFeesUsd": "Sum of ONLY the fees the board publishes for that first credential, in US dollars. null when it publishes none.", "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.", "ladder": "Every rung of the licensure ladder in order. `exam` is the ASWB category required to HOLD that rung (null = none); `supervised` means practice only under supervision.", "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.", "supervision": "The supervised-experience package on the path, each figure with its own source page. A figure the board does not publish is null.", "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." } }, "abbr": "DC", "name": "District of Columbia", "url": "https://www.socialworktestprepacademy.com/licensing/dc", "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "checked": true, "lastChecked": "2026-09-06", "board": { "name": "District of Columbia Board of Social Work", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-licensing" }, "firstCredential": { "abbr": "LGSW", "title": "Licensed Graduate Social Worker (no exam for initial license; exam OR 1,500 hrs before first renewal)", "rung": "masters", "exam": null }, "examRequiredFirst": false, "summary": "No exam to register. The Clinical exam comes after your hours.", "aswbExam": null, "knownFeesUsd": 510, "unknownFeeCount": 0, "fees": [ { "name": "Application and license fee", "amount_usd": 230, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, { "name": "Criminal background check", "amount_usd": 50, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, { "name": "ASWB Masters examination, if examination pathway is used", "amount_usd": 230, "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" } ], "supervision": { "experience_hours": { "value": 3000, "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "client_contact_hours": null, "supervision_hours": { "value": 100, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "minimum_months": { "value": 24, "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "maximum_months": { "value": 48, "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "notes": [ "The 3,000 hours must be post-master's or postdoctoral experience participating in diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families, and groups with psychosocial problems.", "DC Health's current examination checklist requires 100 face-to-face or immediate supervision hours.", "DC Board Policy 25-001 permits group supervision for LGSWs, capped at 40% of required supervision hours and four supervisees per group.", "DC Code 3-1208.04(a): under special circumstances approved by the Board, supervision by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist may be substituted for up to 1,500 hours (verified 2026-09-06)." ] }, "hours": "3,000 hours, 100 supervision", "compactMember": false, "applicationSequence": [ "Earn a master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program.", "Apply for initial LGSW licensure through the education pathway; the national examination is not required for initial LGSW licensure.", "Complete DC Health application requirements and criminal background check.", "Before first renewal, either pass a national examination or obtain 1,500 hours in the practice of social work under qualifying supervision." ], "ladder": [ { "rung": "bachelors", "abbr": "LSWA", "title": "Licensed Social Work Associate", "exam": "Bachelors", "supervised": true, "source": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-licensing" }, { "rung": "masters", "abbr": "LGSW", "title": "Licensed Graduate Social Worker (no exam for initial license; exam OR 1,500 hrs before first renewal)", "exam": null, "supervised": true, "source": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.02" }, { "rung": "advanced", "abbr": "LISW", "title": "Licensed Independent Social Worker (non-clinical independent)", "exam": "Advanced Generalist", "supervised": false, "source": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-licensing" }, { "rung": "clinical", "abbr": "LICSW", "title": "Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker", "exam": "Clinical", "supervised": false, "source": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04" } ], "sources": [ { "label": "District of Columbia Board of Social Work · LGSW applicant resources", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-licensing" }, { "label": "DC Code §3-1208.02 - Licensed graduate social worker", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.02" }, { "label": "DC Health - Initial License Application Package", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "label": "DC Health - Examination Checklist", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf" }, { "label": "Social Work Licensure Compact jurisdictions", "url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/" }, { "label": "DC Health Endorsement checklist (requires ASWB score transfer)", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/publication/social-work-application-checklist-endorsement-lswa-lgsw-lisw-and-licsw" }, { "label": "DC Health Re-examination checklist", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/social-work-application-checklist-re-exam-lswa-lgsw-lisw-and-licsw" }, { "label": "LGSW fees · ASWB Masters examination, if examination pathway is used", "url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/" }, { "label": "DC Code §3-1208.04 - Licensed independent clinical social worker", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04" }, { "label": "DC Board Policy 25-001 - Supervision of LGSWs", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/Policy%20Statement%2025-001%20-%20Group%20Supervision%20of%20LGSWs%2021OCT2025.pdf" } ], "records": [ { "state": { "name": "District of Columbia", "postal_code": "DC" }, "license_target": { "track": "masters", "title": "Licensed Graduate Social Worker", "abbreviation": "LGSW" }, "board": { "name": "District of Columbia Board of Social Work", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-licensing" }, "fees": [ { "name": "Application and license fee", "amount_usd": 230, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, { "name": "Criminal background check", "amount_usd": 50, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, { "name": "ASWB Masters examination, if examination pathway is used", "amount_usd": 230, "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" } ], "application_sequence": [ "Earn a master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program.", "Apply for initial LGSW licensure through the education pathway; the national examination is not required for initial LGSW licensure.", "Complete DC Health application requirements and criminal background check.", "Before first renewal, either pass a national examination or obtain 1,500 hours in the practice of social work under qualifying supervision." ], "aswb_exam": { "level": "Masters; not required for initial LGSW licensure, but one of two statutory routes required before first renewal", "fee_usd": 230, "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "supervision_requirement": { "experience_hours": { "value": 1500, "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.02", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "client_contact_hours": null, "supervision_hours": null, "minimum_months": null, "maximum_months": null, "notes": [ "The 1,500-hour requirement is an alternative to passing the national examination before first LGSW renewal; it is not a prerequisite for initial LGSW issuance." ] }, "supervisor_eligibility": [ "For the 1,500-hour first-renewal alternative, supervision must be by a social worker licensed under DC Code §3-1208.03 (LISW) or §3-1208.04 (LICSW).", "An LGSW performing psychotherapy must be supervised by an LICSW." ], "forms": [ { "name": "Education Pathway Renewal Supervision Attestation Form", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "name": "Character Reference List", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "name": "Criminal Background Check", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" } ], "processing_benchmark": null, "endorsement_rules": [ "DC maintains an endorsement application pathway.", "Official verification is required for jurisdictions in which the applicant has held a professional license.", "An official ASWB score transfer is required when the endorsement pathway depends on an examination score.", "Endorsement checklist: examination scores must be transferred from ASWB (verified 2026-09-06)." ], "compact_status": { "member": false, "multistate_licenses_available": false, "source_url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "last_verified": "2026-09-06", "sources": [ { "label": "DC Code §3-1208.02 - Licensed graduate social worker", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.02" }, { "label": "DC Health - Social Work Licensing", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-licensing" }, { "label": "DC Health - Initial License Application Package", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "label": "DC Health - Examination Checklist", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf" }, { "label": "Social Work Licensure Compact jurisdictions", "url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/" }, { "label": "DC Health Endorsement checklist (requires ASWB score transfer)", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/publication/social-work-application-checklist-endorsement-lswa-lgsw-lisw-and-licsw" }, { "label": "DC Health Re-examination checklist", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/social-work-application-checklist-re-exam-lswa-lgsw-lisw-and-licsw" } ] }, { "state": { "name": "District of Columbia", "postal_code": "DC" }, "license_target": { "track": "clinical", "title": "Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker", "abbreviation": "LICSW" }, "board": { "name": "District of Columbia Board of Social Work", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-licensing" }, "fees": [ { "name": "Application and license fee", "amount_usd": 230, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, { "name": "Criminal background check", "amount_usd": 50, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, { "name": "ASWB Clinical examination", "amount_usd": 260, "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" } ], "application_sequence": [ "Earn a master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program.", "Accumulate qualifying post-master's or postdoctoral clinical experience under qualifying supervision.", "Document supervised experience using the Board's supervision verification and calculation materials.", "Apply to the DC Board of Social Work.", "Receive Board approval for the independent clinical examination.", "Pass the ASWB Clinical examination.", "Complete remaining licensing and criminal-background-check requirements." ], "aswb_exam": { "level": "Clinical", "fee_usd": 260, "source_url": "https://www.aswb.org/exam/", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "supervision_requirement": { "experience_hours": { "value": 3000, "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "client_contact_hours": null, "supervision_hours": { "value": 100, "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "minimum_months": { "value": 24, "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "maximum_months": { "value": 48, "source_url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "notes": [ "The 3,000 hours must be post-master's or postdoctoral experience participating in diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families, and groups with psychosocial problems.", "DC Health's current examination checklist requires 100 face-to-face or immediate supervision hours.", "DC Board Policy 25-001 permits group supervision for LGSWs, capped at 40% of required supervision hours and four supervisees per group.", "DC Code 3-1208.04(a): under special circumstances approved by the Board, supervision by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist may be substituted for up to 1,500 hours (verified 2026-09-06)." ] }, "supervisor_eligibility": [ "Ordinary LICSW qualifying experience must be supervised by a licensed independent clinical social worker.", "3-1208.04(a): psychiatrist or psychologist supervision may substitute for up to 1,500 hours with Board approval." ], "forms": [ { "name": "Supervision Verification Form - On Site", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "name": "Supervision Verification Form - Off Site", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "name": "Supervision Calculation Worksheet", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "name": "Work Experience Form", "source_url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" } ], "processing_benchmark": null, "endorsement_rules": [ "DC maintains an endorsement pathway rather than statutory reciprocity.", "Official verification is required from jurisdictions in which the applicant has held a professional license.", "LICSW applicants must document applicable work experience.", "Endorsement checklist: examination scores must be transferred from ASWB (verified 2026-09-06)." ], "compact_status": { "member": false, "multistate_licenses_available": false, "source_url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/", "verified_date": "2026-09-06" }, "last_verified": "2026-09-06", "sources": [ { "label": "DC Code §3-1208.04 - Licensed independent clinical social worker", "url": "https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/3-1208.04" }, { "label": "DC Health - Examination Checklist", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/LSWA%2C%20LGSW%2C%20LISW%2C%20LICSW%20Checklist%20by%20Examination.pdf" }, { "label": "DC Board Policy 25-001 - Supervision of LGSWs", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/Policy%20Statement%2025-001%20-%20Group%20Supervision%20of%20LGSWs%2021OCT2025.pdf" }, { "label": "DC Health - Initial License Application Package", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/social-work-initial-license-application-package" }, { "label": "Social Work Licensure Compact jurisdictions", "url": "https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/" }, { "label": "DC Health Endorsement checklist (requires ASWB score transfer)", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/publication/social-work-application-checklist-endorsement-lswa-lgsw-lisw-and-licsw" }, { "label": "DC Health Re-examination checklist", "url": "https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/social-work-application-checklist-re-exam-lswa-lgsw-lisw-and-licsw" } ] } ] }