Nevada Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) Guide - 2024

Nevada Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) Licensure Process

Many people choose to pursue career paths as licensed independent social workers. If you go this route, you’ll be ready to handle advanced non-clinical social work. You can do so in an agency or organization or work in private practice.

Education Requirements

You’ll need to earn a master’s degree in social work to get a license to practice as an independent social worker. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the accrediting body and provides a database of available programs. You can choose from the two accredited programs in Nevada. Then you can take online classes online or in-person classes, depending on the program you select.

Here you can find all schools offering social work degree programs in Nevada.

Experience Requirements

You’ll need a lot of experience to feel comfortable working on your own. Fortunately, you’ll be ready after completing the 3,000 hours of non-clinical experience required for licensure. At a minimum, you can complete the experience in two years. However, you’ll have to ask the board for an extension if it’ll take you longer than three years to finish.

Examination Requirements

You have to take and pass the Advanced Generalist Exam through the Association of Social Work Boards. First, submit your application and wait for the board to approve you for the exam. Then you can register for the exam and pay the $260 fee online.

Background Check Requirements

The board wants to make sure you have a clean background, so you need to provide your fingerprints. Fill out the Fingerprint Request Form before your appointment so you can give it to the technician. Then print and submit the Fingerprint Waiver Form with your application package.

Applying for Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

When you’re ready to apply for licensure, you can head to the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers’ online portal. The $50 application fee and $125 initial license fee are due at the time of the application. You can also use the online portal to track your application.