After Graduation
Social Work Licensing
BSW and MSW Licensing
Social work is a licensed profession in the states of Kansas and Missouri.
In Kansas, the agency charged with regulating social work licensure is the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB).
In the state of Missouri, it is Division of Professional Registration – State Committee for Social Workers.
For more information, please contact the boards directly:
- BSRB in Kansas: 785-296-3240
- State Committee for Social Workers in Missouri: 573-751-0885
BSW and MSW students who are in their last semester of degree requirements may start the process of applying for the appropriate level of licensure.
After completion of the KU Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work, you will be prepared to take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination, which is the exam required for Kansas licensure. Bachelor's graduates will be eligible to take the LBSW level exam upon completion of the BSW, and master’s graduates will be eligible to take the LMSW level exam upon completion of the MSW. It is required that you complete 3,000 hours of clinical social work experience over a minimum of 24 months before you are able to sit for the Specialist Clinical Social Work license (LSCSW) in Kansas.
Kansas State Licensing
- BSW and MSW graduates may sit for their LMSW exam 4 months prior to graduation (degree conferring) date, not ceremony attendance. Paperwork for licensing in the state of Kansas may be found on the BSRB website.
- In the Verification of Academic Requirements section of the form, please write “SEE KU LIST” – Once you file your Application for Graduation, your name is sent to the BSRB on a monthly bases. Students who have not filed an AFG will not have their names added to the list for licensing verification
- We expedite conferring BSW and MSW degrees for licensing purposes:
- Spring BSW and MSW degrees will be conferred by June 1 – order your degree conferring transcript on the KU Office of the University Registrar website.
- Summer BSW and MSW degrees will be conferred the week after the last day to submit grades (by August 13) - order your degree conferring transcript on the KU Office of the University Registrar website.
Fall Licensure Prep Workshop will be offered. When information is available it will be listed here and on the School's calendar.
Other States
Applicants who intend to obtain their license in another state should understand that each state has its own licensing board and set of licensing requirements. It is best to consult with your state’s regulatory board to learn what licenses are available in your area and acquaint yourself with their requirements.
For additional assistance, contact our Practicum Education Office at practicum@ku.edu.
KU MSW Licensing Exam Pass Rates
Licensing Information by State
Federal regulations require disclosure if academic programs will lead to licensure in Kansas and any other state/territory.
KU School of Social Welfare: BSW and MSW Generalist Degrees
KU School of Social Welfare’s BSW and MSW degrees meet the professional licensure standards for all the listed U.S. states and territories that license at the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) and/or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Links to state/territory licensure boards are listed below:
- Alabama (Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Alaska (Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners)
- American Samoa (American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services)
- Arizona (Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners)
- Colorado (Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Connecticut (Connecticut State Master Level Social Worker Licensing)
- Delaware (Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners)
- District of Columbia (District of Columbia Social Work Licensing)
- Florida (Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage& Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling )
- Georgia
- Guam (Guam Board of Social Work)
- Hawaii (Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs)
- Idaho (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
- Illinois (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation)
- Indiana (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency)
- Iowa (Iowa Board of Social Work)
- Kansas (Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board)
- Kentucky (Kentucky Board of Social Work)
- Louisiana (Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Maine (Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure)
- Maryland (Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Massachusetts (Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Work)
- Michigan (Michigan Board of Social Workers)
- Minnesota (Minnesota Board of Social Work)
- Mississippi (Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists)
- Missouri (Missouri Division of Professional Registration)
- Montana (Montana Board of Behavioral Health)
- Nebraska (Nebraska Office of Behavioral Health and Consumer Services)
- Nevada (State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers)
- New Jersey (New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- New Mexico (New Mexico Social Work Examiners)
- New York (New York State Education Department)
- North Carolina (North Carolina Social Work Board)
- North Dakota (North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Northern Mariana Island (Northern Mariana Islands Board Of Professional Licensing)
- Ohio (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board)
- Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers)
- Oregon (Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers)
- Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriages and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
- Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Social Work Professional Examining Board)
- Rhode Island (Rhode Island Department of Health)
- South Carolina (South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners)
- South Dakota (South Dakota Department of Social Services)
- Tennessee (Tennessee Board of Social Workers)
- Texas (Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (US Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs)
- Utah (Utah Division of Professional Licensing)
- Vermont (Vermont Office of Professional Regulation)
- Virginia (Virginia Board of Social Work)
- Washington (Washington State Department of Health)
- West Virginia (West Virginia Board of Social Work)
- Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services)
- Wyoming (Wyoming Mental Health Profession Licensing Board)
* California and New Hampshire do not license at the LBSW or LMSW level.
* It is currently undetermined if the KU School of Social Welfare meets the professional licensure standards for the following territories: Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau.
Last Reviewed 11/9/23.
Advanced MSW Clinical License
While the clinical concentration of the KU School of Social Work MSW program meets the standards for a clinical-level social work license, the macro concentration of the master’s program does not. The KU School of Social Welfare MSW-clinical concentration degree meets standards for all of the following U.S. states and territories:
- Alabama (Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Alaska (Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners)
- American Samoa (American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services)
- Arizona (Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners)
- California (California Board of Behavioral Sciences)
- Colorado (Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Connecticut (Connecticut State Master Level Social Worker Licensing)
- Delaware (Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners)
- District of Columbia (District of Columbia Social Work Licensing)
- Florida (Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage& Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling)
- Georgia (Georgia Board of Professional Counselor, Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists)
- Guam (Guam Board of Social Work)
- Hawaii (Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs)
- Idaho (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
- Illinois (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation)
- Indiana (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency)
- Iowa (Iowa Board of Social Work)
- Kansas (Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board)
- Kentucky (Kentucky Board of Social Work)
- Louisiana (Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Maine (Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure)
- Maryland (Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Massachusetts (Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Work)
- Michigan (Michigan Board of Social Workers)
- Minnesota (Minnesota Board of Social Work)
- Mississippi (Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists)
- Missouri (Missouri Division of Professional Registration)
- Montana (Montana Board of Behavioral Health)
- Nebraska (Nebraska Office of Behavioral Health and Consumer Services)
- Nevada (State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers)
- New Hampshire (New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification)
- New Jersey (New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners)
- New Mexico (New Mexico Social Work Examiners)
- New York (New York State Education Department)
- North Carolina (North Carolina Social Work Board)
- North Dakota (North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners)
- Northern Mariana Islands (Northern Mariana Islands Board Of Professional Licensing)
- Ohio (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board)
- Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers)
- Oregon (Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers)
- Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriages and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
- Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Social Work Professional Examining Board)
- Rhode Island (Rhode Island Department of Health)
- South Carolina (South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners)
- South Dakota (South Dakota Department of Social Services)
- Tennessee (Tennessee Board of Social Workers)
- Texas (Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (US Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs)
- Utah (Utah Division of Professional Licensing)
- Vermont (Vermont Office of Professional Regulation)
- Virginia (Virginia Board of Social Work)
- Washington (Washington State Department of Health)
- West Virginia (West Virginia Board of Social Work)
- Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services)
- Wyoming (Wyoming Mental Health Profession Licensing Board)
Note: While the KU School of Social Welfare MSW-clinical concentration degree meets professional licensure standards for all 50 states and territories with a Board of Behavioral Sciences, some states/territories require specific course work and examination.
States that place additional requirements to practice include Alaska, California, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington.
*It is currently undetermined if KU School of Social Welfare meets the professional licensure standards for the following territories: the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.
Licensing Prep Events
Career Services
The University Career Center (UCC) offers career advising, career fairs, job search training and a professional clothing closet. Explore Career Center resources and job opportunities in social work.
KU Career Center: Social WorkAlumni
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Alumni Stories