New York Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Guide - 2024

New York Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Licensure Process

An LCSW license is the highest level of licensure for a social worker in New York. As an LCSW you provide counseling, crisis intervention, substance abuse support, mental health therapy, and other services crucial for improvement.

Education Requirements

A masters in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-approved program is needed. The courses are the same an LMSW must take with the addition of:

• Twelve credit hours of clinical coursework
• Diagnosis and assessment in clinical social work practice
• Clinical work with general and special populations
• Clinical social work treatment

Find all schools offering social work degree programs in New York.

Experience Requirements

If working with children or disabled adults you’ll need to complete a two-hour course about identifying and reporting child abuse. You must also complete 2,000 hours of supervised, post-graduate social work for a period of at least three years. At least 100 of those hours are to be spent gaining experience in diagnosis, assessment, and psychotherapy. You and your supervisor must fill out and submit the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Applicant Experience Record for your experience to be considered by the Board. This form will make the Board aware of your supervisor who will be an LCSW, licensed psychologist, or board-certified psychiatrist.

Before your supervised experience begins a Supervised Experience form must be sent to the Board also. The same form is required for a limited permit with the appropriate application. Submit the form with a $70 application fee.

Background Check

Each potential social worker is required to pass a criminal background check. On the application, you must disclose any information pertaining to felonies, misdemeanors, or professional disciplinary actions you’ve received. All relevant documents should be uploaded with the LCSW application.

Applying for Licensure as a Clinical Social Worker

Once you have finished your three years of supervised experience you can apply for LCSW licensure. These are the documents you need to send to the Board:

• Fill out the LCSW application
• Request your school sends the Certification of Professional Education form
• Complete a Verification of Other Professional Licensure form
• Send the Applicant Experience Record
• Complete the Certification of Experience for LCSW for each supervised experience listed
• Submit Plan for Supervised Experience

You have the ability to apply online and pay with a credit card. Supplemental documentation can be uploaded to the website. If you want to mail in your paperwork, sent it to:

The Board will review all the information sent and notify you by email when you are approved to take the ASWB exam.

Examination Requirements

Now you are ready to register for the clinical exam and pay the $260 registration fee. You’ll need a passing score on the ASWB exam before obtaining your license. Brush up on your knowledge before your testing date by registering on the ASWB site and participating in the practice test. It will help prepare you for the big day. Once the Board is notified of your passing score, which takes about weeks, you will be granted an LCSW license.