Minnesota Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
AKA: Minnesota LSW License
What's Here? - Table of Contents
A Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Minnesota is an entry-level social work license for people who want a formal state credential as they begin practicing in nonclinical settings. New BSW graduates often pursue it, along with professionals whose employers, job postings, or funding sources require state licensure. It can help establish a clear professional identity when applying for roles in case management, community programs, school and family support settings, and other nonclinical social work positions.
The State of Minnesota Board of Social Work regulates licensing. For the standard LSW by examination path, the core steps are to earn the required accredited degree, pass the required ASWB exam, apply through the Board’s online system, and then complete the supervised practice Minnesota requires after licensure. Just as important is what the LSW does not allow: Minnesota states that an LSW must not engage in clinical social work practice, so it is not the right credential for psychotherapy or other clinical practice roles.
Minnesota’s standard LSW by examination pathway centers on a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from an appropriately accredited program, documented through your licensing application.
Minnesota law requires an LSW applicant to have a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar accrediting body designated by the Board. A general bachelor’s degree does not meet this standard. Your degree must be in social work, and the program must have the required accreditation status.
If your school changed names, merged programs, or updated its curriculum structure while you were enrolled, confirm that your specific social work program was accredited during the time you attended. CSWE lists accredited programs and accreditation status on its site: CSWE accreditation. Checking this before you apply can prevent avoidable delays.
Submit your application through the Board’s online services portal: Minnesota licensing portal. Clear education documentation usually makes the early review process smoother.
Minnesota requires a passing national social work exam for LSW licensure by examination. State law requires evidence that the applicant has passed the bachelor’s or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or another examination body the Board designates (Minn. Stat. § 148E.055).
For the standard LSW by examination path, Minnesota uses the ASWB Bachelor’s exam. When you register through ASWB, make sure you are selecting the Bachelor exam rather than a master’s or clinical-level exam.
You will register through ASWB’s exam system. Create an account, follow the jurisdiction steps for Minnesota, and review the exam information here: ASWB exam information.
If you want to track application progress after submitting, use the Board’s online services portal: Online Services.
Yes. Minnesota requires supervised practice after you are licensed as an LSW. State law provides that after receiving the LSW license, a licensed social worker must complete at least 100 hours of supervision during the first 4,000 hours of postbaccalaureate social work practice authorized by law, with at least four hours of supervision during every 160 hours of practice (Minn. Stat. § 148E.100).
That means supervision is a legal requirement for early nonclinical LSW practice, not just an employer preference. Keep records of both your supervision hours and your total practice hours as you go so you can document compliance if needed later.
The Minnesota Board’s supervised-practice guidance is here: Supervised Practice.
For most applicants, the smoothest process is to line up your degree documentation, exam passage, and any needed disclosures before submitting through the Board’s online system. The most common delays come from missing transcripts, score-report timing, or mismatched identifying information.
File your LSW application through the Minnesota Board’s online services portal: Online Services. Board information and licensing resources are available at State of Minnesota Board of Social Work.
The Minnesota Board says getting a standard license generally takes at least three months, and in many cases longer. Initial application review typically takes 30 to 60 days from the date the Board receives the application, so it helps to monitor your status and respond quickly to any requests for additional information. (Standard LSW by Exam)
Renewing an LSW license in Minnesota means meeting the Board’s continuing education requirements during each two-year renewal term, keeping clean records, and completing your renewal through the Board’s online portal.
Minnesota’s continuing education requirements are organized by a two-year license renewal term. That makes it easier to spread your CE across the full cycle rather than leaving everything to the end.
For every two-year renewal term, Minnesota requires 40 total CE hours, including 2 hours in social work ethics and 4 hours in cultural responsiveness. The Board also states that up to 50% of the 40 total hours may be completed through independent learning. See the Board’s CE requirements here: Required CE Hours.
Main renewal information is available here: License Renewal.
Minnesota’s geography can affect how social work roles are structured, especially in border areas and in parts of Greater Minnesota where travel distances are longer. Those realities do not change the core LSW requirements, but they can affect how employers organize supervision, service delivery, and job expectations.
Some Minnesota employers, especially near state borders or in larger health systems, may serve clients who move across jurisdictions or receive services in more than one state. Minnesota has adopted the Social Work Licensure Compact in statute, but applicants should still confirm current implementation details and employer expectations before assuming compact privileges or automatic multistate practice rights. (Minn. Stat. § 148E.40)
In areas with longer travel distances, employers may rely on a mix of in-person and remote supervision arrangements to meet Minnesota’s supervised-practice requirements. When comparing positions, it helps to ask how supervision is structured, who will provide it, and how your hours will be tracked.
Job descriptions do not always line up neatly with Minnesota’s licensing categories. Before taking on new responsibilities, confirm that the work fits within the LSW scope. Minnesota states that an LSW must not engage in clinical social work practice, so if a role includes therapy, clinical diagnosis, or other clinical treatment functions, it is worth clarifying the expected credential before you start. (Board authority & scope)
It helps to maintain organized records for transcripts, exam passage, supervision logs, renewal confirmations, and any documents tied to employment or scope questions. That way, if the Board or an employer asks you to verify something later, you are not rebuilding the file from scratch.
These quick answers cover common Minnesota LSW questions about education, exam, supervision, scope, timing, renewal, and multistate practice.
For the standard LSW by examination path, you need a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or another program recognized under Minnesota law. Official transcripts are one of the most common delay points, so make sure your degree conferral is clearly documented.
Minnesota uses the ASWB Bachelor’s exam for the standard LSW by examination path. Use the same legal name on your exam registration and your license application so your records match more easily.
Yes. Minnesota requires at least 100 hours of supervision during the first 4,000 hours of postbaccalaureate social work practice, with at least four supervision hours during every 160 hours of practice. Set up your supervision plan early and keep your logs current.
You apply through the Minnesota Board of Social Work’s online services portal and submit the supporting documents required for licensure by examination. The process usually goes more smoothly when your transcripts, exam records, and legal name all line up before you submit.
No. Minnesota states that an LSW must not engage in clinical social work practice. If a role includes therapy or other clinical treatment functions, confirm the expected license type before accepting the position.
The Minnesota Board says getting a standard license generally takes at least three months, and often longer. Initial application review typically takes 30 to 60 days from the date the Board receives your application, so complete documentation matters.
Minnesota uses a two-year renewal term. During each cycle, LSW licensees must complete 40 total CE hours, including 2 hours in social work ethics and 4 hours in cultural responsiveness.
Yes. Minnesota has adopted the Social Work Licensure Compact in statute. Even so, you should confirm current implementation details, participating-state status, and employer expectations before assuming you can practice across state lines under compact authority.
