Tennessee Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) Guide - 2024

Tennessee Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) Licensure Process

LMSWs can provide the same unsupervised non-clinical services as LBSWs. The major difference between the two licenses is that LMSWs can also provide clinical services while supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). A few roles LMSWs engage in are:

• Consultation
• Supportive counseling
• Research

Education Requirements

An MSW from a CSWE-accredited school or program is required for LMSW licensure in Tennessee. Here you can find all schools offering social work degree programs in Tennessee.

Background Check

All applicants are required to submit their fingerprints for a criminal background check conducted by the TBI and FBI. You can register on the fingerprinting vendor’s website, IdentoGO, and schedule an appointment. The processing fee is $35.15, and you have two weeks from the registration date to have your fingerprints scanned.

You can also call (855) 226-2937 and schedule an appointment. You can register to have your fingerprints done manually and send in the fingerprint card if you cannot be digitally fingerprinted. View the background check instructions online for more information.

Examination Requirements

You will receive a letter from the Board once you’re able to sit down for the ASWB Master’s exam. The exam has 170 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored. A copy of your scores will be given to you once you complete the test, and the ASWB will send another copy to the Board.

Applying for Licensure as a Licensed Masters Social Worker

Find the application packet online once you sign-up on LARS. If you don’t already have an account, register on the site and fill out the appropriate information. In the packet, be sure to include a signed and notarized Declaration of Citizenship form, Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire, and a $160 application fee.

If applying by mail, send all documents to:

Have your MSW program send your official transcripts to the Board and complete the mandatory criminal background check. Once you’ve passed the exam and your application is approved, you will receive an LMSW license and can begin practicing supervised clinical services.