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Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Delaware

AKA: Delaware LCSW License

Delaware Social Worker License - 2025 Guide
Social Worker License

by Social Worker License Staff

Updated: October 14th, 2025

Delaware Licensing Body

How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Delaware

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) in Delaware are authorized to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral conditions and to provide psychotherapy, within limits set by Delaware law and Board regulations.

Requirements at a Glance

Item What to Prepare Where
Degree & Accreditation MSW from a CSWE-accredited program (official transcript per Board instructions) CSWE Accreditation
Application Apply online in DELPROS; upload required documents and pay fees DELPROS
Supervised Experience Post-MSW experience: 3,200 hours over 2–5 years, incl. 1,600 clinical hours and ≥100 hours of 1-to-1 supervision (face-to-face or live video) 24 DE Admin. Code 3900 • Supervisory Reference Form
Clinical/National Exam ASWB Clinical — Board approval in DELPROS before registering with ASWB Board — Examinations • ASWB
Background & Safety Checks State & FBI criminal background check via the Board’s vendor (service code) and Delaware Child Protection Registry (CPR) consent Board instructions • CPR Consent
Renewal Biennial by Jan 31 (odd-numbered years); 40 CE hours per full period, incl. ≥6 ethics, ≥1 mandatory reporting, max 10 self-directed Board — CE • Board — Renewal

Always follow the most current instructions on the Board’s official pages.

Daily Responsibilities and Work Settings

Your day typically includes intake and assessment, treatment planning, evidence-based psychotherapy, coordination with care teams, documentation, and outcomes review. LCSWs practice in community mental health, hospitals, integrated primary care, schools, private practice, and other settings under Delaware regulations.

Tip: Keep a single, named folder for transcripts, supervisory references/logs, CE certificates, receipts, and confirmations. Consistent file names (e.g., Lastname_Firstname_DocumentType.pdf) prevent avoidable delays.

The Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners regulates licensure. See updates on the Board site.

Career Impact and Opportunities

LCSWs provide psychotherapy and clinical case formulation that improve access and outcomes for Delaware communities. Licensure verifies the training, supervised experience, and competency required for safe, ethical clinical practice.

Educational Requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Delaware

Earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Programs combine coursework in ethics, human behavior, policy, and research with field education aligned to CSWE competencies.

State-Specific Considerations

Before applying, review the Board’s Clinical Social Worker pages for any updates to transcript handling or third-party documentation.

Examination Requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Delaware

The LCSW requires the ASWB Clinical exam. Apply first in DELPROS; when the Board approves you to test, you’ll register with ASWB.

Registration & Flow

  • Order of operations: Submit your application in DELPROS → wait for Board approval to test → register/pay with ASWB → take the Clinical exam → arrange score reporting to the Board.
  • Applications are generally valid for two years; complete the process before your application expires.

Preparation Tips

Use ASWB’s Candidate Handbook and full-length practice tests. Ensure your legal name matches exactly on your ID, DELPROS, and ASWB to avoid score-matching delays.

Exam Accommodations

If you need testing accommodations, request them through ASWB during registration. Submit documentation early so your DELPROS approval window and your ASWB scheduling stay aligned.

Supervision Requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Delaware

Delaware requires at least 3,200 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical social work experience completed in not less than 2 and not more than 5 years. Within this, you must complete 1,600 clinical hours under direct professional supervision, which must include ≥100 hours of 1-to-1 supervision delivered face-to-face or by live video (telephone/email are not permitted).

Acceptable Supervisors

  • Supervision by an LCSW (any U.S. state/territory) is standard. When an LCSW isn’t available, a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist may supervise if all Board criteria are met (see current rules and required attestation).
  • Supervisors must attest to: ≥3 years post-licensure with no discipline; recent CE that includes ≥3 hours clinical supervision, ≥3 hours cultural competency/diversity, and ≥6 hours ethics; and no more than 7 supervisees at once.

Supervision Agreement (quick checklist)

  • Written supervision plan that matches Board criteria (frequency, format, goals).
  • Supervisor eligibility confirmed (license, post-licensure experience, CE, supervisee limit).
  • Weekly log template agreed upon (dates, hours, clinical activities, signatures).
  • Protocol for urgent cases, documentation review, and feedback cadence.

Tip: Use the Board’s current Supervisory Reference Form and keep a running log; don’t wait until the end to reconstruct hours.

Documentation

Use the Board’s Supervisory Reference Form. Keep weekly logs; the Board may request them. Hours with non-qualified supervisors won’t count.

Application Process for LCSW Licensure in Delaware

Start in DELPROS

Create a DELPROS account and apply under “Clinical Social Worker.” You can save and return; required third-party documents (e.g., transcripts) must be sent as directed.

Required Documentation & Fees

  • Official MSW transcript (CSWE-accredited program).
  • Supervision verification via Supervisory Reference Form(s).
  • Criminal background check completed via the Board’s vendor using the service code provided.
  • Delaware Child Protection Registry (CPR) Consent form.
  • Fees (non-refundable) per the Board’s fee schedule.

Background Check & Child Protection Registry

Complete the State & FBI criminal background check through the Board’s designated vendor (using the Board-provided service code), and submit the Delaware CPR Consent form as instructed. Keep all receipts and confirmation numbers.

Review Timeline

Track status in your DELPROS dashboard and respond promptly to any Board requests for additional information.

  • Name matching: Ensure your legal name matches exactly on ID, DELPROS, and ASWB so exam scores post correctly.
  • Forms: Use the Board’s latest Supervisory Reference Form; “title-only” attestations are often rejected.
  • CE tracking: Use your DELPROS profile to track CE and retain certificates; only upload if audited.

Licensure Renewal Requirements for LCSW in Delaware

Frequency & Deadlines

All Social Worker licenses in Active status expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years. Renew through DELPROS before the deadline.

Continuing Education

During each full biennial period (Feb 1 → Jan 31 odd years), LCSWs must complete 40 hours of CE, including ≥6 hours in ethics and ≥1 hour in mandatory reporting. No more than 10 hours may come from self-directed activity. Keep certificates for audit; see the Board’s CE page for prorating rules and approved providers.

Out-of-State Applicants (Reciprocity/Endorsement)

If you are already licensed elsewhere, apply in DELPROS and follow the Board’s instructions for license verification and any Delaware-specific requirements. Complete Delaware’s criminal background check and CPR consent even if you hold an active license in another state.

Regional Issues

Delaware’s compact geography spans urban, suburban, and rural communities. LCSWs often coordinate with local agencies and health systems; practice within scope, ethics, and documentation standards set by the Board and Administrative Code.

Additional Considerations

Ethical Standards & Professional Conduct

Review the Board’s Code of Ethics and practice boundaries. Maintain appropriate confidentiality, cultural humility, and accurate representation of credentials.

Professional Development & Specialization

Plan CE to deepen clinical focus (e.g., trauma, integrated care, child & family, geriatrics) while meeting required ethics and mandatory-reporting hours.

FAQs

How do I get primary-source verification to join insurance panels?

Many payers accept the Board’s online license lookup or require an official verification sent by the Board. Start at the Board site and follow each payer’s PSV instructions.

Can telesupervision count toward LCSW hours?

Yes, 1-to-1 supervision may be delivered by live video at the supervisor’s discretion (up to 100% of the required 1-to-1 hours). Telephone/email supervision is not permitted under the regulation.

How does exam approval work?

Apply in DELPROS; after the Board approves you to test, register and schedule with ASWB. If you don’t complete the process within the application validity window, you’ll need to reapply.

What issues most often delay licensure?

Name mismatches across ID/DELPROS/ASWB, incomplete supervision documentation, and missing third-party documents (e.g., transcripts) are common. Keep receipts and tracking info for all submissions.

How We Verify This Guide

We map each requirement to the Delaware Board’s licensure pages and administrative code, then recheck after Board notices or policy updates. If you spot a mismatch with an official page, follow the Board and let us know so we can correct it quickly.

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