Licensure

At NASW-MN, we are committed to providing the social work community with accurate information on social work licensure in Minnesota. Chapter staff and volunteers advocate and provide input to the Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW) in order to improve the consistency, transparency, and integrity of these laws and regulations. We are active on the BOSW Legislative and Rules Committee, and Advisory Committee. Our goal is to ensure that all social workers receive current information about licensure regulations and standards at all stages of the licensure process, and to work to ensure policies governing the practice of social work in our state are responsive to emerging needs and practice trends. For additional information, please refer to Chapter 148E of the Minnesota Statutes and the Minnesota Board of Social Work.

Explore this comprehensive guide to navigate the steps, costs, and requirements for obtaining social work licenses in Minnesota. Whether you're pursuing an LSW, LISW, LGSW, or LICSW, this roadmap simplifies the process with clear pathways, fee breakdowns, and supervision guidelines. Empower your career in social work with confidence and clarity!

Start Your Licensing Journey! Click here to view/download our Road Map to becoming a Licensed Social Worker in Minnesota. 

Who Should be Licensed as a Social Worker

In Minnesota we have a very broad definition of social work practice, requiring that basically anyone with a social work degree, working in a social work/human service related job, must be licensed. This includes those in all types of direct practice, clinical practice, and macro practice (including policy and teaching). The only exemptions from licensure in MN are for those employed by a MN County, and those employed by a Federally recognized tribe. All others must be licensed by the BOSW, whether their employer or job description requires it or not. 

Generally you must renew your SW license every two years in your birthday month.

Here is the definition of a social worker in Minnesota Statutes, section 148E.010:

"Social worker" means an individual who:

(1) is licensed as a social worker; or

(2) has obtained a social work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar accreditation body designated by the board and engages in the practice of social work.

Licensure Types and Requirements

In Minnesota, there are four categories of social work licensure: 

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) 
• Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
• Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

Each licensure category has specific requirements for both obtaining and maintaining the license, including distinct criteria for supervised practice.Visit the Minnesota Board of Social Work’s website for the most current information.

Minnesota is one of the only states that has an alternate pathway to licensure. This alternate pathway, called Provisional Licensure, does not include passing an ASWB exam. Social workers can choose between the exam or the provisional route each time you apply for a new category of licensure. Notably, social workers must complete more supervision hours in the provisional route in lieu of taking the exam. View our Road Map to learn more about the two routes to licensure. 

History of Licensure

Like other healthcare professions, social work is regulated by the state in which it is practiced. In nearly all 50 states, this regulation takes the form of licensure. As a relatively new profession, social work did not have formal licensure in most states until the late 20th century. For example, Minnesota did not enact social work licensure legislation until the 1980s.

Today, nearly every state requires licensure for social workers at the bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical levels. The push for licensure was driven by several factors, including the desire to enhance professional status, improve compensation, and protect the public. Although there is no national license for social workers, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)—a coalition of all state regulatory boards—supports the regulation and licensing of social work practice across the U.S. 

Timeline:

1987: Minnesota state Legislature created the Social Work Licensing board, later renamed as the Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW). 

1989: Minnesota Statute 148D.010, also called the MN practice act, created four licensure levels for social workers: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). 

2009: Definition of social work practice, from the MN practice act, was further clarified to specify that social workers practicing in education also need to be licensed. At this point, few exemptions from licensure remained for practicing social workers.

2022: HF4065 removed in-person requirements for social work licensing supervision. 

2024: Minnesota Legislature determined that Minnesota will join the Interstate Social Work Compact. Additionally, the provisional licensing pathway was expanded so that applicants did not have to be a non-native English speaker and have not passed the licensure exam after trying at least once. 

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Social workers in Minnesota are required to receive ongoing continuing education (CE). CE is required if you hold an active license and during each license renewal term. 

Social workers must complete 40 hours total of continuing education for every two-year license renewal term. Up to 50% of the 40 hours may be completed through independent learning which includes online activities and research for publication, presentations, or professional development. The 40 hours must meet the following requirements: 

• 2 hours in social work ethics
• 4 hours in cultural responsiveness

With the following additions:

• 12 hours of clinical content if licensed as a LICSW
• 6 hours supervision content if providing licensing supervision

The BOSW and Minnesota Statutes section 148E.130 can provide more in-depth information about CE requirements. 

NASW-MN is committed to offering affordable CEU’s to social workers. NASW-MN offers a variety of ways for social workers to fulfill their continuing education requirements, including virtual, in-person, and independent study options. Click here to learn more about our CE opportunities. Tip: NASW members receive discounted and free CE opportunities! Click here to get started with your NASW membership! 

Supervision

Supervision is a structured, ongoing process that allows supervisees to receive guidance and feedback from their supervisor(s). Social workers encounter supervision at various points in their career. As described by the BOSW, licensing supervision is required for: 

• LSWs and LGSWs in nonclinical practice: Once licensed, licensing supervision is required for at least the first 4,000 hours of social work practice for each license type
• LGSWs and LISWs in clinical practice: Once licensed, ongoing licensing supervision must be maintained until an LICSW is issued
• Provisional License for all four license types; LSW, LGSW, LISW, LICSW: Once licensed, provisional supervision is required for 2,000 hours of social work practice and 37.5 supervision hours prior to applying for a standard license.

Licensing supervision is not required for: 

• LISWs in nonclinical practice
• LICSWs

Visit the BOSW for FAQs about supervision.

Interested in providing supervision? 

Social workers are able to provide supervision licensing after meeting certain criteria, including receiving 30 hours of training in supervision and continuing education. NASW-MN offers Supervisor Certification Series to help social workers provide licensure supervision in Minnesota. This training includes the 30 hours needed to provide supervision. 

Example: A LSW who has completed 30 hours of training in supervision and has completed their supervised practice requirement may supervise another LSW. 

Visit BOSW to learn more about providing supervision licensing. 

Already providing supervision licensing? 

NASW-MN provides opportunities for supervisors to meet their continuing education requirements to provide supervision licensing. This includes our Supervision Consultation Circles. The Supervision Consultation Circles are free and exclusive to NASW-MN members. Hosted once a month, these group sessions allow an opportunity to get your continuing education and to consult with other supervisors. 

Supervision Support

NASW-MN is committed to being a top resource to connect supervisors and supervisees through our supervision matching process. NASW members can enjoy this service for free! Are you a supervisor or supervisee looking to join our supervision network? Reach out to us at admin.naswmn@socialworkers.org to get started!

NASW-MN does not determine supervision rates. The cost of supervision is at the discretion of the supervisor. 

Concerns about licensure?

If you have concerns about licensure requirements or process, please reach out to NASW-MN admin.naswmn@socialworkers.org

BOSW does satisfaction surveys, sign up for their e-updates at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBOSW/subscriber/new?qsp=CODE_RED

Concerns about unethical practice?

The Standards of Practice, included in the Social Work Practice Act, govern ethical social work practice in Minnesota. The Standards of Practice govern the minimum standards that must be met by social workers to ensure the protection of the public. Licensed social workers are responsible for being aware of and complying with these laws. Visit the BOSW to learn more. 

Clients, colleagues, and other affected parties can submit complaints to the BOSW. A complaint can be filed with the BOSW if a licensed social worker: 

• Mistreated a client in any way
• Was dishonest in providing services or billing
• Released information without consent
• Did not provide appropriate treatment
• Did not practice safely and competently
• Developed a personal relationship with a client
• Has an illness that impairs their ability to practice safely. 

Click here to learn more about filing a complaint. 

How do I know if someone is licensed? 

The BOSW has a Public License Lookup which verifies if a license is active, the type of licensure, if there has been any public action against the license, and if there are any restrictions or conditions on the license.