How to Become a Social Worker in Idaho
:: 2026 Guide
Select the appropriate option below to learn how to become a social worker in Idaho.
This license is for individuals who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited program and want to work in entry-level, non-clinical social work roles in Idaho. LBSWs typically perform case management, community outreach, advocacy, and social services coordination under supervision and are not authorized to provide clinical diagnosis or psychotherapy.
The LMSW is intended for individuals who have completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) and are working in advanced professional social work positions that may include supervision, administration, policy, and specialized practice roles. In Idaho, LMSWs may provide non-clinical and some supervised clinical services but cannot practice independent clinical social work or provide unsupervised psychotherapy.
This license is for individuals who have earned an MSW and completed required postgraduate supervised clinical experience in Idaho. LCSWs are authorized to practice independently and provide clinical services such as mental health assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and treatment planning in clinical and behavioral health settings.
There are currently 1.7 million people residing in Idaho, and that number is growing steadily. The need for social workers has increased in recent years, and Idaho has responded by paying the workers an annual salary approximately $4,000 above the state’s median household income.
Becoming a social worker requires you to be licensed by Idaho’s licensing body. You must have at least a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) to apply for licensure. The school or program must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). It typically takes four years to finish the bachelor’s program, and education is split between the classroom and the field. The classes will center around human behavior, practice methods, professional ethics, and social work policy.
If you decide to further your career and become a more advanced social worker, you’ll need a master’s degree in social work (MSW). The program must also be accredited by the CSWE. The curriculum will focus on social work research, social work policy, social welfare, and crisis management and intervention. You’ll have an opportunity to gain real-world experience in the field, and with your BSW, you may qualify for advanced standing in the MSW program. Advanced standing allows you to complete the program in one year instead of two.
If you are a compassionate person who cares deeply for the difficult situations those in your community experience, and making a difference is something you live to do, then you should consider becoming a social worker in Idaho. The need to fill positions is increasing rapidly, and you can put your knowledge and skills to work helping those in need.