Utah Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Guide - 2024

Utah Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Licensure Process

Education Requirements

To qualify for LCSW licensure, you’ll need a masters in social work (MSW) or doctoral degree in social work (DSW) from a CSWE-accredit program or school.

Experience Requirements

Utah social workers must obtain 4,000 hours of clinical social work and mental health therapy training experience. You have no less than two years to complete the 4,000 hours. The experience must include crisis intervention training and short and long-term therapy. Direct practice with practice with clients, whether they be individuals, groups, or families, should also be a part of your training. One thousand of the total hours should be spent on mental health treatment, and two hours of training must be in suicide prevention. Only LCSWs who have been practicing for two years or more are qualified to supervise your experience.

Background Check

All LCSW applicants must have a criminal background check performed by the FBI. The check is fingerprint-based, and your results are sent directly to the Board.

If you have any criminal convictions, submit an Application for Criminal History Determination, and the Board will review your charges. After 30 days, they will inform you of their decision, and you’ll know if you can continue seeking an LCSW license.

Examination Requirements

You may have already taken the ASWB Clinical exam to get your CSW license, but if not, you would need to before submitting an application for LCSW licensure. You can apply for permission with the ASWB and once it’s granted, schedule a date to take the 170 questions Clinical exam. The exam fee is $260, and once you pass, the scores are sent to the Board.

Applying for Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Your next step is to submit an application online or by mail. There is a non-refundable fee of $120. Your supervisor must also track your progress with the Supervision for Post-Graduate Mental Health Practice Hours. Once you’ve completed the hours, a Verification of Supervision for Post-Graduate Mental Health Practice Hours form must be filled out as well. If mailing in this information, send it to:

Take the ASWB Clinical exam, and when the Board receives your passing score, you’ll be granted an LCSW license. Now you’re ready to provide both clinical and non-clinical services as an independent social worker, and within two years, you can supervise SSWs and CSWs.