Louisiana Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Guide - 2024

Louisiana Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Licensure Process

After the Licensed Registered Social Worker license, next is the Licensed Master Social Worker. This license allows you to practice non-clinical social work independently. To practice in a clinical social work setting, you’ll need to work under a board-approved supervisor. The following requirements are needed to gain this license.

Education requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) -accredited institution. Here you can find all schools offering social work degree programs in Louisiana.

Examination Requirements

Next you will need to register to take the ASWB masters qualifying examination and pay a fee of $230.

To register for the exam, visit the ASWB website and click on “Register for the Exam“. Fill out the form provided and submit it. You’ll receive an Authorization to Test which contains details on scheduling the exam via Pearson Vue. Set a convenient date and take the exam.

If you took the exam in another jurisdiction and wish to transfer your score to Louisiana’s board, visit the ASWB website to complete the score transfer form, which will send your examination result to the board.

Applying for Licensure as a Master Social Worker

• Complete the application form on the board’s website. Fill out every part using N/A for a question that is not applicable. Fill every detail correctly.
• Pay the $78 application fee.
• Request for your official transcript from the registrar of your school. Your school’s registrar should send it directly to the board.

At this point, when the board reviews and approves your application, you will be granted a Certified Social Worker(CSW) license. With this license, you can practice under the scope of an LMSW for up to six months. Within the six months, you’ll have to take the ASWB masters exam.

In cases where candidates fail to pass the exam, they can keep practicing with the CSW license as long as it is renewed periodically. This license is valid for a total of 3 years, after which it can no longer be renewed. Within the three years, you’ll need to take the ASWB qualifying exam once a year to qualify for the LMSW license.

• After getting the CSW credential, you can proceed to the ASWB website to apply for the examination.
• Pay the ASWB examination fee of $230.
• Complete your application for examination on the Pearson VUE website.
• Visit the ASWB website to complete the score transfer form, which will send your examination result to the board.

When you pass the exam, you should receive your LMSW license.