Alabama Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) Guide - 2024

Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) Licensure Process

This is the starting point license for a career as a social worker in Alabama. Holding this license will make it possible for you to secure your first job and start to work toward more advanced roles and obtaining other licenses in the years to come.

When holding this license, you may pursue work in a variety of roles, including as a behavioral health professional, habilitation specialist, a social work intern, or various other possibilities. Some of these career paths will allow you to work independently early in your career, while others will require that you work under a more experienced social worker as you gain experience.

Education Requirements

To be eligible for this license in the state of Alabama, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited institution. Find all social work degree programs in Alabama.

Experience Requirements

There are no experience requirements in place before applying for a license. However, after the license is obtained, you will need to have accrue two years of full-time social work practice under approved supervision. It’s also possible to substitute three years of part-time work for the two years of full-time work, which could be helpful if you are getting started building experience while still pursuing additional education.

Examination Requirements

Those who pursue a Bachelor Social Worker license need to pass the Bachelors ASWB Exam.

Process of Application

It’s important to work through the steps of the application process in the correct order to give yourself the best possible chance of success. First, you will want to fill out the online application, or use the paper form, and submit it to the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners. There is a fee that is required along with the application, and you’ll need to include an official transcript that is sent from the program where you received your education.

With the application submitted, you need to wait for approval to confirm that you are eligible for a license based on the details of your application and education. If you are confirmed to be eligible, you can then take the bachelor’s exam. If you pass that exam, you’ll be the owner of a Bachelor Social Worker license in Alabama.