How to Become a Social Worker in Montana
:: 2026 Guide
Select the appropriate option below to learn how to become a social worker in Montana.
If you have a desire to help others or the community as a whole, you might be exploring a career as a licensed social worker. The Montana Board of Behavioral Health is in charge of issuing social work licenses, and it gives people three options. The license you choose will dictate your scope of work moving forward.
The Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) credential in Montana is intended for individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and passed the required ASWB bachelor’s examination. LBSWs typically provide generalist social work services such as case management, resource coordination, and client support under supervision, but they are not authorized to practice clinical social work independently.
The Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) credential in Montana is designed for individuals who have earned a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and passed the ASWB master’s examination. LMSWs may perform advanced social work functions including assessment and intervention, but clinical services must be provided under supervision until the requirements for clinical licensure are completed.
The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in Montana is intended for professionals who have completed an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, fulfilled the required post-graduate supervised clinical experience, and passed the ASWB Clinical examination. LCSWs are authorized to provide independent clinical social work services, including diagnosis, psychotherapy, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders without supervision.
Montana offers licensure by reciprocity (endorsement) for social workers who are already licensed in another state and want to obtain an equivalent Montana credential. This pathway is intended for professionals whose education, ASWB exam level, and supervised experience are substantially equivalent to Montana’s requirements, and applicants must typically submit license verification, official transcripts, and ASWB exam score transfers for review by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.
If you become a licensed baccalaureate or master’s social worker, you’ll be able to work in general practice. However, a master’s social worker license will open more doors and give you access to higher-paying jobs. Some people choose to become a licensed baccalaureate social worker first before taking the remaining steps to earn a license as a master’s social worker.
You also have the option of obtaining a license as a clinical social worker to work in client care. You’ll be able to run therapy sessions, treat patients, and more with this license.
Regardless of the career path you choose, you’ll need to meet the licensing requirements first. Becoming a licensed baccalaureate social worker has the fewest requirements while becoming a licensed clinical social worker has the most. These additional requirements will prepare you to provide patient care in a clinical setting.
If you have any questions when working toward your license, you can contact the Montana Board of Behavioral Health at 406-841-2300 or email DLIBSDWEBHELP@MT.gov. The board can help you better understand what you need to do to get your license to start your career as a social worker in Montana.
You can also use this guide as you navigate the path to becoming a social worker. It outlines the steps you must take depending on the type of license you want to obtain. The guide is so comprehensive that you likely won’t need to reach out to the Montana Board of Behavioral Health during the process of getting your license.
Let’s begin by exploring the process of becoming a licensed baccalaureate social worker. If you prefer to become a master’s or clinical social worker, you can skip ahead to those sections to go through each of the steps.