Board of Social Work New License Application

New License Application

  • ALERT - THIS PORTAL IS FOR NEW APPLICATIONS ONLY!

    CLICK HERE if you have just passed your ASWB exam or you are an out of state applicant who has been approved for licensure.

Licensure Requirements [Adobe PDF]

There is a $25 NON-REFUNDABLE review fee plus a $1.00 portal administration fee.

Kentucky has three categories of social work licensure:

  1. Bachelors: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
  2. Masters: Certified Social Worker (CSW)
  3. Clinical: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

ATTN: The board cannot issue a license until it receives an OFFICIAL FINAL TRANSCRIPT stating that your degree has been "awarded" or "conferred".

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) applicants MUST submit the following:

  1. Read the legal requirements: KRS 335.090
  2. Kentucky has an Equivalency Standard for Non-Social Work Bachelors Degree: See 201 KAR 23:120 for the equivalency standard.
  3. Current job description on agency letterhead and signed by the executive director, agency director, or the individual who heads the office.
  4. Official transcript conferring your Bachelors Degree in Social Work or equivalent Social Welfare program (CSWE accredited).
  5. If you are licensed as a social worker in another jurisdiction, you also must submit:
    • Official License Verification from each jurisdiction in which you hold or held a license.
    • ASWB Official Score Transfer Report for the Bachelors Exam (contact aswb.org).
  6. License fee for LSW: $75 every 3 years / 15 hours of CE

Certified Social Worker (CSW)

Certified Social Worker (CSW) applicants MUST submit the following:

  1. Read the legal requirements: KRS 335.080
  2. Current job description on agency letterhead and signed by the executive director, agency director, or the individual who heads the office.
  3. Official transcript conferring your Masters or Doctoral Degree in Social Work (CSWE accredited).
  4. If you are licensed in another jurisdiction, you must also submit:
    • Official License Verification from each jurisdiction in which you hold or held a license.
    • ASWB Official Score Transfer Report for the Masters Exam (contact aswb.org).
  5. License fee for CSW: $125 every 3 years / 30 hours of CEs

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) applicants MUST submit the following:

For new applicants who have not taken the ASWB exam:

  1. Read the legal requirements: KRS 335.100
  2. Current job description on agency letterhead and signed by the executive director, agency director, or the individual who heads the office.
  3. Official transcript conferring your Masters or Doctoral Degree in Social Work (CSWE accredited). If you are licensed as a CSW in Kentucky, you do not need to resend your transcript.
  4. Supervised Experience Documentation Form (completed by your LCSW supervisors and documenting 200 hours of supervision and two years of supervised clinical practice experience).

For new applicants who are already licensed by another jurisdiction, you must submit:

  1. Current job description on agency letterhead and signed by the executive director, agency director, or the individual who heads the office;
  2. Official transcript conferring your Masters or Doctoral Degree in Social Work (CSWE accredited). If you are licensed as a CSW in Kentucky, you do not need to resend your transcript;
  3. Official License Verification from each jurisdiction in which you hold or held a license;
  4. ASWB Official Score Transfer Report for the Clinical Exam (contact aswb.org); and
  5. Documentation that establishes that:
    1. You have held a clinical social work license and been engaged in the active practice of clinical social work for five (5) years; or
    2. 150 hours of supervision by a licensed clinical social worker, who has been licensed as a licensed clinical social worker for three (3) years.
  6. License fee for LCSWs: $200 every 3 years / 30 hours of CEs

LICENSURE CANDIDATES REPORTING A PRIOR CONVICTION OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

  1. Written explanation of incident from the candidate.
  2. Certified copies of records
    • Disciplinary records: obtain a copy of the final order from the licensure board; or
    • Criminal records: obtain certified copies of the following records from the Court Clerk
    • Copy of Police Report or Grand Jury Indictment
    • Certified copy of Judgment of Conviction
    • Certified copy of Judgment or Sentencing Order.

If your sentence was PROBATED or you have been PAROLED, please include:

  • Written statement or report from the Probation or Parole Office to the Board of Social Work that confirms that the probation / diversion / parole was successfully completed; and
  • Proof that all fines, fees, courts costs, and restitution have been paid in full, if any.

  • ALERT - THIS PORTAL IS FOR NEW APPLICATIONS ONLY!

    CLICK HERE if you have just passed your ASWB exam or you are an out of state applicant who has been approved for licensure.