District of Columbia Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
AKA: District of Columbia LICSW License
What's Here? - Table of Contents
Becoming a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the District of Columbia allows social workers to provide independent clinical and non-clinical services without supervision. LICSWs are authorized to assess, diagnose, and treat mental and behavioral health conditions while delivering psychotherapy across a wide range of settings.
| Item | What to Prepare | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Degree & Accreditation | MSW from a CSWE-accredited program | CSWE Accreditation |
| Pre-Licensure Status | Hold an active LGSW license | DC Board of Social Work |
| Supervised Experience | 3,000 post-graduate clinical hours + supervision verification | Supervision Rules |
| Clinical Exam | ASWB Clinical Examination | ASWB |
| Application | Online application + fees | Licensing Portal |
| Renewal | Continuing education + renewal filing | Renewal Info |
Always follow the District of Columbia Board of Social Work’s official instructions if requirements change.
The District of Columbia Board of Social Work regulates LICSW licensure and oversees education, supervision, examination, and renewal requirements.
To qualify for LICSW licensure, applicants must earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE accreditation confirms that the program meets nationally recognized standards for clinical social work education.
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MSW coursework prepares future LICSWs for advanced clinical practice through instruction in assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapeutic interventions, ethics, research, and social policy. Supervised field placements are a core component of the degree and provide early clinical exposure under professional oversight.
Licensing boards and employers in the District of Columbia require graduation from a CSWE-accredited program. Confirm your program’s accreditation status directly through CSWE before enrolling or graduating.
Explore accredited options here:
District of Columbia social work degree programs.
Applicants for LICSW licensure must pass the ASWB Clinical Examination, which evaluates readiness for independent clinical practice. This exam focuses on applied clinical judgment rather than entry-level theory.
The Clinical Exam assesses competencies in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and professional ethics. Scores are reported directly to the District of Columbia Board of Social Work.
Register and review exam content outlines at ASWB. Ensure your name matches across your ASWB profile, ID, and board application to avoid score-reporting delays.
LICSW applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience, earned over a period of no fewer than two years and no more than four years.
At least 100 hours must be face-to-face clinical supervision provided by a board-approved supervisor. This supervised experience ensures readiness for independent diagnosis and treatment.
Use consistent supervision logs throughout the supervision period to simplify final verification.
Official supervision requirements are outlined in District supervision rules.
Applications are submitted through the DC Health online licensing portal. Applicants must upload transcripts, supervision verification forms, and exam results, and pay the required fee.
Submitting a complete application package minimizes processing delays. Monitor your application status through the portal and respond promptly to any board requests.
LICSW licenses must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires completion of continuing education (CE), including ethics-focused coursework, and timely submission through the board’s renewal system.
Failure to renew on time may result in license lapse and additional reinstatement requirements.
Current renewal details are available on the Board website.
LICSWs in Washington, D.C. serve highly diverse populations across hospitals, private practices, nonprofit agencies, government programs, and integrated care settings. Urban density, policy-driven service systems, and complex social needs make advanced clinical training especially critical.
Stay informed about practice boundaries and regulatory updates by reviewing District board rules
and monitoring updates from the Board of Social Work.
Yes. LICSWs are authorized to provide independent clinical and non-clinical social work services without supervision.
The ASWB Clinical Examination is required for LICSW licensure.
Yes. LICSWs may supervise LSWA, LGSW, and LISW licensees when board requirements are met.
