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Louisiana Social Work — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Licensing authority: Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners · Application information

Restoration by dissolution of an interim suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Costs
Pay Board disciplinary hearing/proceeding costs when required before reinstatement (R.S. 37:2717(C)).
Motion
Move to dissolve interim action before the same limited panel; establish that it was improvidently granted or that the threat no longer exists (LAC 46:XXV.1057(F)-(G)).
Order
Interim action may be modified on a party's motion or the panel's own motion, and dissolves upon dismissal or final adjudication (LAC 46:XXV.1057(H)); comply with the applicable order.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reciprocity or endorsement of credentials

All of the following:

  • ASWB Clinical Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Initial registration, certification or licensure
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Early exam approval
An LMSW in the last six supervision months with at least 75 supervision hours may request exam approval with the BACS signature and all LCSW application items except final supervision forms complete (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(2)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Prior credential
Obtain LMSW before clinical supervision begins; holding that prerequisite credential is an applicant condition (LAC 46:XXV.503(A)).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Supervision
For supervision starting on or after January 1, 2022, document 3,000 supervised postgraduate practice hours over at least two but no more than four years, under a BACS; the Board may consider more than four years in extenuating circumstances. Those starting before January 1, 2022 must comply with the statute and rules in effect when supervision began (R.S. 37:2708(A)(3), LAC 46:XXV.305(D)(3)).
Supervision records
Submit the supervision contract and employment verification within sixty days, update changes within sixty days, and supply session records, evaluations and employer practice verification (LAC 46:XXV.503(C), (H)-(M)).
Supervisory sessions
Document 96 face-to-face supervision hours; meetings last 30 minutes–two hours, with no more than 80 practice hours between meetings. Up to 48 hours may be group supervision with at most five supervisees; up to 72 requires Board approval (LAC 46:XXV.503(E)-(F)).
Late renewal after a lapse shorter than six months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 20 Board-approved clock hours before each annual renewal, including three ethics hours every two years; LCSWs include at least ten hours of clinical content (R.S. 37:2714(A)).
Ethics cycle
The two-year ethics and BACS supervision CE collection period closes in even-numbered years; at most ten surplus hours may carry forward, excluding ethics and BACS supervision hours (LAC 46:XXV.1311).
Lapse
The credential has lapsed for less than six months; do not practice while lapsed; submit renewal application and twice the usual renewal fee. At exactly six months, R.S. 37:2714(D) also requires the law examination, represented in the reinstatement route.
Learning format
No more than ten hours per collection period may be asynchronous virtual learning or teaching unless approved; synchronous interactive webinars count as in-person learning (LAC 46:XXV.1313).
Records
Retain CE attendance evidence and records for at least one year for Board audit (LAC 46:XXV.1309).
Renewal
Submit the renewal application, documentation and fee before August 31; the credential year runs September 1–August 31 (R.S. 37:2714(B)).
Waivers
The Board may waive CE in declared emergencies or extend the completion time for extenuating circumstances (R.S. 37:2714(F)-(G)); first-year CE is prorated by issuance month under LAC 46:XXV.1315.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military trained applicant without a social work occupational specialty designation

All of the following:

  • ASWB Clinical Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military training without specialty
A military-trained applicant without a military occupational-specialty designation holds a current substantially equivalent social-work credential elsewhere, has no disqualifying discipline and no dishonorable discharge (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(2)).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Renewal or resumption following uniformed service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 20 Board-approved clock hours before each annual renewal, including three ethics hours every two years; LCSWs include at least ten hours of clinical content (R.S. 37:2714(A)).
Ethics cycle
The two-year ethics and BACS supervision CE collection period closes in even-numbered years; at most ten surplus hours may carry forward, excluding ethics and BACS supervision hours (LAC 46:XXV.1311).
Learning format
No more than ten hours per collection period may be asynchronous virtual learning or teaching unless approved; synchronous interactive webinars count as in-person learning (LAC 46:XXV.1313).
Military waiver
Provide deployment/relocation evidence before expiration. Eligible uniformed-service members and qualifying spouses deployed outside United States territories may be exempt from renewal/reinstatement fees and CE during service; the exemption does not apply to the discharge year. Applicable fees and education must be completed within 180 days after release/discharge to continue in force under R.S. 37:3652.
Records
Retain CE attendance evidence and records for at least one year for Board audit (LAC 46:XXV.1309).
Renewal
Submit the renewal application, documentation and fee before August 31; the credential year runs September 1–August 31 (R.S. 37:2714(B)).
Waivers
The Board may waive CE in declared emergencies or extend the completion time for extenuating circumstances (R.S. 37:2714(F)-(G)); first-year CE is prorated by issuance month under LAC 46:XXV.1315.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse endorsement

All of the following:

  • ASWB Clinical Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military spouse
Be the spouse of an active-duty servicemember or a former servicemember without a dishonorable discharge, hold a current substantially equivalent social-work credential in another jurisdiction, and be in good standing without disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(3)).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Spouse documents
Provide orders or honorable discharge documentation, military identification, marriage certificate and current-marriage affidavit, endorsement documentation, good-standing affidavit and competency/CE evidence (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(2)).
Military connected endorsement based on another jurisdiction's license
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Other license
Hold a current valid occupational license in another jurisdiction for at least one year with similar scope; meet that jurisdiction's examination OR education/training/experience standards, be in good standing, and have no disqualifying criminal record (R.S. 37:3651(A)(1)-(5)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Military connected recognition based on three years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Work experience
Work at least three years in the occupation in a jurisdiction that does not regulate it by occupational license or government certification, with a similar Louisiana scope, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(B)).
Military connected recognition based on private certification and two years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Private certification
Work at least two years in the occupation in a jurisdiction without occupational licensure/government certification; hold a current valid private certification in good standing, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(C)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Military occupational specialty training
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Early exam approval
An LMSW in the last six supervision months with at least 75 supervision hours may request exam approval with the BACS signature and all LCSW application items except final supervision forms complete (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(2)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military conduct
No disqualifying disciplinary conduct and no dishonorable discharge (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Military documents
Submit the military transfer/discharge record, occupational-specialty document, military course/training record, practice dates and affidavit of no disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(1)).
Military training
Complete military social-work training with a military occupational specialty or equivalent official designation, and document qualifications and active practice substantially equivalent to or above the requested credential (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Prior credential
Obtain LMSW before clinical supervision begins; holding that prerequisite credential is an applicant condition (LAC 46:XXV.503(A)).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Supervision
For supervision starting on or after January 1, 2022, document 3,000 supervised postgraduate practice hours over at least two but no more than four years, under a BACS; the Board may consider more than four years in extenuating circumstances. Those starting before January 1, 2022 must comply with the statute and rules in effect when supervision began (R.S. 37:2708(A)(3), LAC 46:XXV.305(D)(3)).
Supervision records
Submit the supervision contract and employment verification within sixty days, update changes within sixty days, and supply session records, evaluations and employer practice verification (LAC 46:XXV.503(C), (H)-(M)).
Supervisory sessions
Document 96 face-to-face supervision hours; meetings last 30 minutes–two hours, with no more than 80 practice hours between meetings. Up to 48 hours may be group supervision with at most five supervisees; up to 72 requires Board approval (LAC 46:XXV.503(E)-(F)).
Return to active practice from emeritus status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete the number and type of CE hours required for active social workers in the credential year active status resumes.
Notice
Notify the Board in writing of termination of emeritus status.
Status
Hold the corresponding emeritus credential.
Validity
The underlying credential must remain valid; an expired credential follows the applicable lapse/reinstatement provisions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return to active practice from inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete the number and type of CE hours required for active social workers in the credential year active status resumes.
Notice
Notify the Board in writing of termination of inactive status.
Status
Hold the corresponding inactive credential.
Validity
The underlying credential must remain valid; an expired credential follows the applicable lapse/reinstatement provisions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after voluntary relinquishment in lieu of discipline
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Early exam approval
An LMSW in the last six supervision months with at least 75 supervision hours may request exam approval with the BACS signature and all LCSW application items except final supervision forms complete (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(2)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Prior credential
Obtain LMSW before clinical supervision begins; holding that prerequisite credential is an applicant condition (LAC 46:XXV.503(A)).
Relinquishment
Treated as a new applicant; satisfy every condition in the relinquishment order, including any reapplication moratorium, fees and costs, before eligibility (LAC 46:XXV.1051(C)-(D)).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Supervision
For supervision starting on or after January 1, 2022, document 3,000 supervised postgraduate practice hours over at least two but no more than four years, under a BACS; the Board may consider more than four years in extenuating circumstances. Those starting before January 1, 2022 must comply with the statute and rules in effect when supervision began (R.S. 37:2708(A)(3), LAC 46:XXV.305(D)(3)).
Supervision records
Submit the supervision contract and employment verification within sixty days, update changes within sixty days, and supply session records, evaluations and employer practice verification (LAC 46:XXV.503(C), (H)-(M)).
Supervisory sessions
Document 96 face-to-face supervision hours; meetings last 30 minutes–two hours, with no more than 80 practice hours between meetings. Up to 48 hours may be group supervision with at most five supervisees; up to 72 requires Board approval (LAC 46:XXV.503(E)-(F)).
Reinstatement after a lapse exceeding sixty months

All of the following:

  • ASWB Clinical Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Continuing education
Submit proof of 40 approved social-work CE hours; LCSW applicants include at least 20 clinical hours and three ethics hours; LMSW and RSW applicants include at least three ethics hours (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
Lapse
More than sixty months.
Law exam
Pass the Board examination on the Practice Act and rules, standards and procedures before reinstatement (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
New applicant
R.S. 37:2714(C) treats a lapse of six months or longer as a new application subject to the Chapter and reinstatement provisions; apply and pay the initial application fee under LAC 46:XXV.313(B). Prior qualifying currently offered ASWB passes are retained where applicable; this does not assert that a new national exam sitting is universally demanded.
Reinstatement after a lapse of six through sixty months

All of the following:

  • ASWB Clinical Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Continuing education
Submit proof of 20 approved social-work CE hours; LCSW applicants include at least 10 clinical hours and three ethics hours; LMSW and RSW applicants include at least three ethics hours (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
Lapse
At least six months but no more than sixty months.
Law exam
Pass the Board examination on the Practice Act and rules, standards and procedures before reinstatement (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
New applicant
R.S. 37:2714(C) treats a lapse of six months or longer as a new application subject to the Chapter and reinstatement provisions; apply and pay the initial application fee under LAC 46:XXV.313(B). Prior qualifying currently offered ASWB passes are retained where applicable; this does not assert that a new national exam sitting is universally demanded.
Six month boundary
The law examination is retained at exactly six months because subsection D expressly begins at six months; the overlapping R.S. 37:2714(C) renewal provision states: Renewal of a license, certificate, or registration which has lapsed for six months or less may be effected upon submission to the board of a renewal application accompanied by a fee which shall be twice the amount of the normal renewal fee specified by the board.
Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 20 Board-approved clock hours before each annual renewal, including three ethics hours every two years; LCSWs include at least ten hours of clinical content (R.S. 37:2714(A)).
Ethics cycle
The two-year ethics and BACS supervision CE collection period closes in even-numbered years; at most ten surplus hours may carry forward, excluding ethics and BACS supervision hours (LAC 46:XXV.1311).
Learning format
No more than ten hours per collection period may be asynchronous virtual learning or teaching unless approved; synchronous interactive webinars count as in-person learning (LAC 46:XXV.1313).
Records
Retain CE attendance evidence and records for at least one year for Board audit (LAC 46:XXV.1309).
Renewal
Submit the renewal application, documentation and fee before August 31; the credential year runs September 1–August 31 (R.S. 37:2714(B)).
Waivers
The Board may waive CE in declared emergencies or extend the completion time for extenuating circumstances (R.S. 37:2714(F)-(G)); first-year CE is prorated by issuance month under LAC 46:XXV.1315.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Louisiana Welcome Home Act endorsement
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Board implementation demand
R.S. 37:52 controls this endorsement pathway notwithstanding contrary law. LAC 46:XXV.319(B) additionally states: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Criminal and disciplinary history
No disqualifying criminal record; pending discipline or investigation must be resolved or the Board must determine the applicant otherwise meets the statutory criteria; pay applicable fees (R.S. 37:52(A)(5)-(7)).
Jurisprudence discretion
R.S. 37:54(A) permits the Board to require the existing Louisiana occupation-specific law examination; LAC 46:XXV.319 implements endorsement through R.S. 37:2712, which identifies this Board's Practice Act examination. This leaf records the examination involved and leaves the Board's discretion to the applicant.
Other license
Hold a current valid license or certification in an occupation with a similar scope, for at least one year; the other jurisdiction must have required an exam OR education, training or experience standards, and hold the applicant in good standing (R.S. 37:52(A)).
Prior examination
An unnamed examination in another jurisdiction is evidence of applicant qualification, not an identified Louisiana or nationwide examination leaf (R.S. 37:52(A)(3)).
Residency
Live in Louisiana and furnish a residency document allowed by R.S. 37:53.
Scope
A license under R.S. 37:51–59 is confined to this state, does not change Louisiana practice law, and does not automatically confer an interstate compact privilege (R.S. 37:57 and 59).

Temporary Social Work Practice Permit — Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Licensing authority: Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners · Application information

Temporary permit for a military spouse endorsement applicant

All of the following:

  • ASWB Clinical Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Duration
The Board-rule temporary permit is issued within twenty-one calendar days after a complete verified application and authorizes practice at the designated credential level for ninety days; the Board grants or denies the permanent application within the permit period (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(3)-(4)).
Exam timing
Requirements referenced in the permanent application may be evidenced before the permit or completed in connection with the final credential. A permit does not itself establish an exemption from the identified examinations.
Military spouse
Be the spouse of an active-duty servicemember or a former servicemember without a dishonorable discharge, hold a current substantially equivalent social-work credential in another jurisdiction, and be in good standing without disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(3)).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Permanent application
Apply for the permanent credential and supply the documentation of the applicable military pathway. A statutory permit terminates automatically if the permanent application is not qualified (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Spouse documents
Provide orders or honorable discharge documentation, military identification, marriage certificate and current-marriage affidavit, endorsement documentation, good-standing affidavit and competency/CE evidence (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(2)).
Permit pending permanent licensure: Military connected endorsement based on another jurisdiction's license
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Decision
A written decision is due within thirty calendar days (R.S. 37:3651(F)); the ninety-day Board-rule permit procedure is separately stated in LAC 46:XXV.309(M).
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Other license
Hold a current valid occupational license in another jurisdiction for at least one year with similar scope; meet that jurisdiction's examination OR education/training/experience standards, be in good standing, and have no disqualifying criminal record (R.S. 37:3651(A)(1)-(5)).
Permit
Apply simultaneously for a permanent credential; the permit automatically terminates if the permanent application fails qualification (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Permit pending permanent licensure: Military connected recognition based on three years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Decision
A written decision is due within thirty calendar days (R.S. 37:3651(F)); the ninety-day Board-rule permit procedure is separately stated in LAC 46:XXV.309(M).
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Permit
Apply simultaneously for a permanent credential; the permit automatically terminates if the permanent application fails qualification (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Work experience
Work at least three years in the occupation in a jurisdiction that does not regulate it by occupational license or government certification, with a similar Louisiana scope, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(B)).
Permit pending permanent licensure: Military connected recognition based on private certification and two years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Decision
A written decision is due within thirty calendar days (R.S. 37:3651(F)); the ninety-day Board-rule permit procedure is separately stated in LAC 46:XXV.309(M).
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Permit
Apply simultaneously for a permanent credential; the permit automatically terminates if the permanent application fails qualification (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Private certification
Work at least two years in the occupation in a jurisdiction without occupational licensure/government certification; hold a current valid private certification in good standing, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(C)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Temporary permit for a military occupational specialty applicant
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Duration
The Board-rule temporary permit is issued within twenty-one calendar days after a complete verified application and authorizes practice at the designated credential level for ninety days; the Board grants or denies the permanent application within the permit period (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(3)-(4)).
Early exam approval
An LMSW in the last six supervision months with at least 75 supervision hours may request exam approval with the BACS signature and all LCSW application items except final supervision forms complete (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(2)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Exam timing
Requirements referenced in the permanent application may be evidenced before the permit or completed in connection with the final credential. A permit does not itself establish an exemption from the identified examinations.
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military conduct
No disqualifying disciplinary conduct and no dishonorable discharge (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Military documents
Submit the military transfer/discharge record, occupational-specialty document, military course/training record, practice dates and affidavit of no disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(1)).
Military training
Complete military social-work training with a military occupational specialty or equivalent official designation, and document qualifications and active practice substantially equivalent to or above the requested credential (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Permanent application
Apply for the permanent credential and supply the documentation of the applicable military pathway. A statutory permit terminates automatically if the permanent application is not qualified (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Prior credential
Obtain LMSW before clinical supervision begins; holding that prerequisite credential is an applicant condition (LAC 46:XXV.503(A)).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Supervision
For supervision starting on or after January 1, 2022, document 3,000 supervised postgraduate practice hours over at least two but no more than four years, under a BACS; the Board may consider more than four years in extenuating circumstances. Those starting before January 1, 2022 must comply with the statute and rules in effect when supervision began (R.S. 37:2708(A)(3), LAC 46:XXV.305(D)(3)).
Supervision records
Submit the supervision contract and employment verification within sixty days, update changes within sixty days, and supply session records, evaluations and employer practice verification (LAC 46:XXV.503(C), (H)-(M)).
Supervisory sessions
Document 96 face-to-face supervision hours; meetings last 30 minutes–two hours, with no more than 80 practice hours between meetings. Up to 48 hours may be group supervision with at most five supervisees; up to 72 requires Board approval (LAC 46:XXV.503(E)-(F)).

Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW)

Licensing authority: Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners · Application information

Restoration by dissolution of an interim suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Costs
Pay Board disciplinary hearing/proceeding costs when required before reinstatement (R.S. 37:2717(C)).
Motion
Move to dissolve interim action before the same limited panel; establish that it was improvidently granted or that the threat no longer exists (LAC 46:XXV.1057(F)-(G)).
Order
Interim action may be modified on a party's motion or the panel's own motion, and dissolves upon dismissal or final adjudication (LAC 46:XXV.1057(H)); comply with the applicable order.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reciprocity or endorsement of credentials

All of the following:

  • ASWB Masters Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Initial registration, certification or licensure
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Early exam approval
A final-semester MSW student may request Board examination approval on the prescribed form signed by the program representative, with every application item except the final official MSW transcript complete; the university sends that transcript on graduation. Early examination approval does not waive the degree for licensure (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(1)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Late renewal after a lapse shorter than six months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 20 Board-approved clock hours before each annual renewal, including three ethics hours every two years; LCSWs include at least ten hours of clinical content (R.S. 37:2714(A)).
Ethics cycle
The two-year ethics and BACS supervision CE collection period closes in even-numbered years; at most ten surplus hours may carry forward, excluding ethics and BACS supervision hours (LAC 46:XXV.1311).
Lapse
The credential has lapsed for less than six months; do not practice while lapsed; submit renewal application and twice the usual renewal fee. At exactly six months, R.S. 37:2714(D) also requires the law examination, represented in the reinstatement route.
Learning format
No more than ten hours per collection period may be asynchronous virtual learning or teaching unless approved; synchronous interactive webinars count as in-person learning (LAC 46:XXV.1313).
Records
Retain CE attendance evidence and records for at least one year for Board audit (LAC 46:XXV.1309).
Renewal
Submit the renewal application, documentation and fee before August 31; the credential year runs September 1–August 31 (R.S. 37:2714(B)).
Waivers
The Board may waive CE in declared emergencies or extend the completion time for extenuating circumstances (R.S. 37:2714(F)-(G)); first-year CE is prorated by issuance month under LAC 46:XXV.1315.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military trained applicant without a social work occupational specialty designation

All of the following:

  • ASWB Masters Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military training without specialty
A military-trained applicant without a military occupational-specialty designation holds a current substantially equivalent social-work credential elsewhere, has no disqualifying discipline and no dishonorable discharge (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(2)).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Renewal or resumption following uniformed service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 20 Board-approved clock hours before each annual renewal, including three ethics hours every two years; LCSWs include at least ten hours of clinical content (R.S. 37:2714(A)).
Ethics cycle
The two-year ethics and BACS supervision CE collection period closes in even-numbered years; at most ten surplus hours may carry forward, excluding ethics and BACS supervision hours (LAC 46:XXV.1311).
Learning format
No more than ten hours per collection period may be asynchronous virtual learning or teaching unless approved; synchronous interactive webinars count as in-person learning (LAC 46:XXV.1313).
Military waiver
Provide deployment/relocation evidence before expiration. Eligible uniformed-service members and qualifying spouses deployed outside United States territories may be exempt from renewal/reinstatement fees and CE during service; the exemption does not apply to the discharge year. Applicable fees and education must be completed within 180 days after release/discharge to continue in force under R.S. 37:3652.
Records
Retain CE attendance evidence and records for at least one year for Board audit (LAC 46:XXV.1309).
Renewal
Submit the renewal application, documentation and fee before August 31; the credential year runs September 1–August 31 (R.S. 37:2714(B)).
Waivers
The Board may waive CE in declared emergencies or extend the completion time for extenuating circumstances (R.S. 37:2714(F)-(G)); first-year CE is prorated by issuance month under LAC 46:XXV.1315.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse endorsement

All of the following:

  • ASWB Masters Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military spouse
Be the spouse of an active-duty servicemember or a former servicemember without a dishonorable discharge, hold a current substantially equivalent social-work credential in another jurisdiction, and be in good standing without disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(3)).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Spouse documents
Provide orders or honorable discharge documentation, military identification, marriage certificate and current-marriage affidavit, endorsement documentation, good-standing affidavit and competency/CE evidence (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(2)).
Military connected endorsement based on another jurisdiction's license
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Other license
Hold a current valid occupational license in another jurisdiction for at least one year with similar scope; meet that jurisdiction's examination OR education/training/experience standards, be in good standing, and have no disqualifying criminal record (R.S. 37:3651(A)(1)-(5)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Military connected recognition based on three years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Work experience
Work at least three years in the occupation in a jurisdiction that does not regulate it by occupational license or government certification, with a similar Louisiana scope, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(B)).
Military connected recognition based on private certification and two years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Private certification
Work at least two years in the occupation in a jurisdiction without occupational licensure/government certification; hold a current valid private certification in good standing, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(C)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Military occupational specialty training
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Early exam approval
A final-semester MSW student may request Board examination approval on the prescribed form signed by the program representative, with every application item except the final official MSW transcript complete; the university sends that transcript on graduation. Early examination approval does not waive the degree for licensure (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(1)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military conduct
No disqualifying disciplinary conduct and no dishonorable discharge (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Military documents
Submit the military transfer/discharge record, occupational-specialty document, military course/training record, practice dates and affidavit of no disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(1)).
Military training
Complete military social-work training with a military occupational specialty or equivalent official designation, and document qualifications and active practice substantially equivalent to or above the requested credential (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Return to active practice from emeritus status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete the number and type of CE hours required for active social workers in the credential year active status resumes.
Notice
Notify the Board in writing of termination of emeritus status.
Status
Hold the corresponding emeritus credential.
Validity
The underlying credential must remain valid; an expired credential follows the applicable lapse/reinstatement provisions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return to active practice from inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete the number and type of CE hours required for active social workers in the credential year active status resumes.
Notice
Notify the Board in writing of termination of inactive status.
Status
Hold the corresponding inactive credential.
Validity
The underlying credential must remain valid; an expired credential follows the applicable lapse/reinstatement provisions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after voluntary relinquishment in lieu of discipline
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Early exam approval
A final-semester MSW student may request Board examination approval on the prescribed form signed by the program representative, with every application item except the final official MSW transcript complete; the university sends that transcript on graduation. Early examination approval does not waive the degree for licensure (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(1)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Relinquishment
Treated as a new applicant; satisfy every condition in the relinquishment order, including any reapplication moratorium, fees and costs, before eligibility (LAC 46:XXV.1051(C)-(D)).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).
Reinstatement after a lapse exceeding sixty months

All of the following:

  • ASWB Masters Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Continuing education
Submit proof of 40 approved social-work CE hours; LCSW applicants include at least 20 clinical hours and three ethics hours; LMSW and RSW applicants include at least three ethics hours (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
Lapse
More than sixty months.
Law exam
Pass the Board examination on the Practice Act and rules, standards and procedures before reinstatement (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
New applicant
R.S. 37:2714(C) treats a lapse of six months or longer as a new application subject to the Chapter and reinstatement provisions; apply and pay the initial application fee under LAC 46:XXV.313(B). Prior qualifying currently offered ASWB passes are retained where applicable; this does not assert that a new national exam sitting is universally demanded.
Reinstatement after a lapse of six through sixty months

All of the following:

  • ASWB Masters Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Continuing education
Submit proof of 20 approved social-work CE hours; LCSW applicants include at least 10 clinical hours and three ethics hours; LMSW and RSW applicants include at least three ethics hours (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
Lapse
At least six months but no more than sixty months.
Law exam
Pass the Board examination on the Practice Act and rules, standards and procedures before reinstatement (R.S. 37:2714(D)-(E)).
New applicant
R.S. 37:2714(C) treats a lapse of six months or longer as a new application subject to the Chapter and reinstatement provisions; apply and pay the initial application fee under LAC 46:XXV.313(B). Prior qualifying currently offered ASWB passes are retained where applicable; this does not assert that a new national exam sitting is universally demanded.
Six month boundary
The law examination is retained at exactly six months because subsection D expressly begins at six months; the overlapping R.S. 37:2714(C) renewal provision states: Renewal of a license, certificate, or registration which has lapsed for six months or less may be effected upon submission to the board of a renewal application accompanied by a fee which shall be twice the amount of the normal renewal fee specified by the board.
Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 20 Board-approved clock hours before each annual renewal, including three ethics hours every two years; LCSWs include at least ten hours of clinical content (R.S. 37:2714(A)).
Ethics cycle
The two-year ethics and BACS supervision CE collection period closes in even-numbered years; at most ten surplus hours may carry forward, excluding ethics and BACS supervision hours (LAC 46:XXV.1311).
Learning format
No more than ten hours per collection period may be asynchronous virtual learning or teaching unless approved; synchronous interactive webinars count as in-person learning (LAC 46:XXV.1313).
Records
Retain CE attendance evidence and records for at least one year for Board audit (LAC 46:XXV.1309).
Renewal
Submit the renewal application, documentation and fee before August 31; the credential year runs September 1–August 31 (R.S. 37:2714(B)).
Waivers
The Board may waive CE in declared emergencies or extend the completion time for extenuating circumstances (R.S. 37:2714(F)-(G)); first-year CE is prorated by issuance month under LAC 46:XXV.1315.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Louisiana Welcome Home Act endorsement
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Board implementation demand
R.S. 37:52 controls this endorsement pathway notwithstanding contrary law. LAC 46:XXV.319(B) additionally states: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Criminal and disciplinary history
No disqualifying criminal record; pending discipline or investigation must be resolved or the Board must determine the applicant otherwise meets the statutory criteria; pay applicable fees (R.S. 37:52(A)(5)-(7)).
Jurisprudence discretion
R.S. 37:54(A) permits the Board to require the existing Louisiana occupation-specific law examination; LAC 46:XXV.319 implements endorsement through R.S. 37:2712, which identifies this Board's Practice Act examination. This leaf records the examination involved and leaves the Board's discretion to the applicant.
Other license
Hold a current valid license or certification in an occupation with a similar scope, for at least one year; the other jurisdiction must have required an exam OR education, training or experience standards, and hold the applicant in good standing (R.S. 37:52(A)).
Prior examination
An unnamed examination in another jurisdiction is evidence of applicant qualification, not an identified Louisiana or nationwide examination leaf (R.S. 37:52(A)(3)).
Residency
Live in Louisiana and furnish a residency document allowed by R.S. 37:53.
Scope
A license under R.S. 37:51–59 is confined to this state, does not change Louisiana practice law, and does not automatically confer an interstate compact privilege (R.S. 37:57 and 59).

Temporary Social Work Practice Permit — Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW)

Licensing authority: Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners · Application information

Temporary permit for a military spouse endorsement applicant

All of the following:

  • ASWB Masters Exam
  • Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Board discretion
If equivalence is lacking, the Board may require the education, supervision and examinations applicable to the Louisiana credential under R.S. 37:2712(B).
Duration
The Board-rule temporary permit is issued within twenty-one calendar days after a complete verified application and authorizes practice at the designated credential level for ninety days; the Board grants or denies the permanent application within the permit period (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(3)-(4)).
Exam timing
Requirements referenced in the permanent application may be evidenced before the permit or completed in connection with the final credential. A permit does not itself establish an exemption from the identified examinations.
Military spouse
Be the spouse of an active-duty servicemember or a former servicemember without a dishonorable discharge, hold a current substantially equivalent social-work credential in another jurisdiction, and be in good standing without disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(3)).
National exam timing
For LMSW or LCSW, a currently offered ASWB exam remains a requirement reference when evidenced by a prior passing score or required by the Board to address nonequivalent credentials; this does not state that every endorsement applicant must retake it.
Other credential
Hold a credential in good standing based on substantially equivalent education, supervision and examination requirements; the applicant bears the burden of establishing equivalence (R.S. 37:2712(A)(1), LAC 46:XXV.319).
Permanent application
Apply for the permanent credential and supply the documentation of the applicable military pathway. A statutory permit terminates automatically if the permanent application is not qualified (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Spouse documents
Provide orders or honorable discharge documentation, military identification, marriage certificate and current-marriage affidavit, endorsement documentation, good-standing affidavit and competency/CE evidence (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(2)).
Permit pending permanent licensure: Military connected endorsement based on another jurisdiction's license
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Decision
A written decision is due within thirty calendar days (R.S. 37:3651(F)); the ninety-day Board-rule permit procedure is separately stated in LAC 46:XXV.309(M).
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Other license
Hold a current valid occupational license in another jurisdiction for at least one year with similar scope; meet that jurisdiction's examination OR education/training/experience standards, be in good standing, and have no disqualifying criminal record (R.S. 37:3651(A)(1)-(5)).
Permit
Apply simultaneously for a permanent credential; the permit automatically terminates if the permanent application fails qualification (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Permit pending permanent licensure: Military connected recognition based on three years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Decision
A written decision is due within thirty calendar days (R.S. 37:3651(F)); the ninety-day Board-rule permit procedure is separately stated in LAC 46:XXV.309(M).
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Permit
Apply simultaneously for a permanent credential; the permit automatically terminates if the permanent application fails qualification (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Work experience
Work at least three years in the occupation in a jurisdiction that does not regulate it by occupational license or government certification, with a similar Louisiana scope, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(B)).
Permit pending permanent licensure: Military connected recognition based on private certification and two years of work
Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act (practice unavailable)
Conduct and fees
Satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10): no negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, resolve pending complaints/investigations as the statute directs, pay fees and apply simultaneously for the permanent credential.
Decision
A written decision is due within thirty calendar days (R.S. 37:3651(F)); the ninety-day Board-rule permit procedure is separately stated in LAC 46:XXV.309(M).
Law exam discretion
The Board may require its existing occupation-specific jurisprudential examination under R.S. 37:3651(E), identified for this profession by R.S. 37:2712(A)(2).
Limitations
R.S. 37:3651(Q) excludes nationally licensed/registered systems and specified judicial/compact licensure. This route concerns Louisiana Board credentials, not an ASWB license or national registry.
Military connection
Meet R.S. 37:3651 military, assigned Department of Defense civilian, spouse or dependent eligibility, including applicable assignment/residency criteria; dishonorable discharge exclusions apply.
Permit
Apply simultaneously for a permanent credential; the permit automatically terminates if the permanent application fails qualification (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Prior examinations
Any unspecified examination taken for another jurisdiction's license or private certification is an applicant condition, not an identified examination leaf.
Priority decision
The Board must provide a written decision within thirty calendar days after receiving the application (R.S. 37:3651(F)).
Private certification
Work at least two years in the occupation in a jurisdiction without occupational licensure/government certification; hold a current valid private certification in good standing, and satisfy R.S. 37:3651(A)(6)-(10) (R.S. 37:3651(C)).
Statutory priority
R.S. 37:3651 applies notwithstanding contrary law. The additional Board demand in LAC 46:XXV.319(B) is quoted here: B.A social worker seeking a Louisiana license, certification or registration pursuant to this Rule bears the burden to establish that the state, territory, commonwealth, or district in which they are credentialed requires substantially equivalent educational, supervision, and examination requirements as would be required for a Louisiana license, certification or registration.
Temporary permit for a military occupational specialty applicant
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Apply electronically; all forms and supporting documents must reach the Board at least seven days before its meeting; applications incomplete in any detail are not considered submitted; the Board may request further detail (LAC 46:XXV.309).
Completion deadline
Complete the credential requirements within one year after receipt of the application, or the application is abandoned and a later submission is a new application (LAC 46:XXV.309(I)).
Criminal history
Submit fingerprints, permit state and national criminal-history checks, and pay associated costs; results must be obtained, reviewed and acceptable before issuance (R.S. 37:2710 and 2716(C)).
Duration
The Board-rule temporary permit is issued within twenty-one calendar days after a complete verified application and authorizes practice at the designated credential level for ninety days; the Board grants or denies the permanent application within the permit period (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(3)-(4)).
Early exam approval
A final-semester MSW student may request Board examination approval on the prescribed form signed by the program representative, with every application item except the final official MSW transcript complete; the university sends that transcript on graduation. Early examination approval does not waive the degree for licensure (LAC 46:XXV.307(E)(1)).
Education
Hold a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work and have the university submit official transcripts (R.S. 37:2707, 2708 or 2724; LAC 46:XXV.305).
Exam timing
Requirements referenced in the permanent application may be evidenced before the permit or completed in connection with the final credential. A permit does not itself establish an exemption from the identified examinations.
Fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable application fee and criminal-record-check costs (LAC 46:XXV.309(F), 313; R.S. 37:2716).
Felony documentation
An applicant with a felony conviction must submit the court, sentence, probation, restitution, custody/treatment, later arrest/conviction, rehabilitation and subsequent licensing/employment or education records required by LAC 46:XXV.309(K), including required releases and continuing disclosure; misleading or incomplete cooperation may support denial.
Fitness conditions
The Board may require individual evaluation, treatment, monitoring or other Recovering Professional Program conditions under LAC 46:XXV.701–705; medical evaluations and drug screens are applicant conditions, not social-work licensing examinations.
Foreign degree
A graduate of a foreign college or university must provide a CSWE statement that the degree is equivalent to an accredited United States social-work degree; every required document must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation (LAC 46:XXV.309(L)).
Good moral character
Good moral character; criminal-history screening must contain no disqualifying information (R.S. 37:2706, 2707, 2708 or 2724).
Military conduct
No disqualifying disciplinary conduct and no dishonorable discharge (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Military documents
Submit the military transfer/discharge record, occupational-specialty document, military course/training record, practice dates and affidavit of no disqualifying discipline (LAC 46:XXV.309(M)(1)).
Military training
Complete military social-work training with a military occupational specialty or equivalent official designation, and document qualifications and active practice substantially equivalent to or above the requested credential (LAC 46:XXV.305(E)(1)).
Permanent application
Apply for the permanent credential and supply the documentation of the applicable military pathway. A statutory permit terminates automatically if the permanent application is not qualified (R.S. 37:3651(A)(10)).
Social security number
The application must include the applicant's Social Security number (LAC 46:XXV.309(H)).

ASWB Clinical Exam

Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); administered on computer at Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination (three- and four-option questions) in two 61-question sections, each with a two-hour time limit; scored and pretest questions are mixed together; results reported as pass/fail
Exam questions
122 multiple-choice questions: 110 scored and 12 unscored pretest questions
Time limit
4 hours (two sections, each with a two-hour time limit)
Passing score
Pass/fail; the number of correct answers required varies by exam form and generally ranges from 66 to 78 of the 110 scored questions
Exam fee
US$260 exam registration fee
Examination outline
  • I. VALUES AND ETHICS (36%) (36%)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality, including limitations of confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA, PHI, privacy)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues related to the practice of social work, including responsibility to clients/client systems, colleagues, the profession, and society
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Principles and processes of obtaining informed consent
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Professional values and principles (e.g., competence, social justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Social worker self-care principles
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Importance of professional development activities to improve practice and maintain current professional knowledge (e.g., in-service training, licensing requirements, reviews of literature, workshops, on-going supervision, consultation)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Protecting and enhancing client/client system self-determination (e.g., medication, medical treatment, counseling, placement, right to refuse services)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Professional boundaries in the social worker-client/client system relationship (e.g., power differences, influence, privilege, conflicts of interest, self-disclosure, dual relationships)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding mandatory reporting (e.g., abuse, threat of harm, impaired professionals, duty to warn)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding documentation (e.g., maintaining client records)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Responsible billing practices (e.g., managed care, insurance reimbursement, incident to billing)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues related to death and dying
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues in supervision and management
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Impact of governmental policies on service delivery (e.g., local, state, federal legislation and policy)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding termination
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues related to electronic practice
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Research ethics (e.g., institutional review boards, use of human subjects, informed consent)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social, racial, environmental, and economic justice principles
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and intersectionality on behaviors, attitudes, and identity formation
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Accessibility including language, physical, and cultural access (e.g., translation and interpretation, neurodiversity, American Sign Language)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Power differential and racial privilege (e.g., internalized racial and ethnic inferiority and superiority)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Privilege and bias and their impact on client/client systems (e.g., implicit bias, microaggressions)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Cultural impacts of exploitation across marginalized communities (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social justice, truth and reconciliation, and restorative practices related to clients/client systems from historically oppressed and marginalized communities
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of globalization, immigration, and refugee or immigration status on clients/client systems and service delivery
  • II. ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING (32% — the heading in the Clinical content outline prints no percentage; page 6 of the guidebook states the Clinical examination will have 32 percent of the questions testing Assessment and Planning) (32%)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of trauma, stressors, violence, and crises on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., intergenerational, historical, and complex)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Family dynamics and functioning and the effects on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Dynamics of interpersonal relationships and relationship development (e.g., family, couples, groups, polyamory)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and neglect on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators of mental and emotional illness throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Co-occurring disorders and conditions
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Biopsychosocial assessment model and related components and factors
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of addiction and substance use and abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of poverty on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., social determinants of health)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors influencing self- and body-image (e.g., culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, ability, trauma, gender, sexuality, size)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of out-of-home placement (e.g., hospitalization, foster care, residential care, criminal justice system) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of caregiving on families
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of exploitation across the lifespan (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Typical and atypical physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Effects of physical and mental ability throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of aging on the individual and family systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Racial, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual/faith development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors of out-of-home displacement (e.g., homelessness, immigration, and refugee status) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — The influence and impact of technology, including social media, on client/client-systems (personal and professional)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of urbanization, globalization, environmental hazards, and climate change on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Client/client system competence, self-determination, and self-monitoring techniques (e.g., financial decisions, treatment decisions, emancipation, age of consent, permanency planning)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing risk of harm to self and others
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles and techniques of interviewing (e.g., supporting, clarifying, confronting, validating, feedback, reflecting, language differences, use of interpreters)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of involving clients/client systems in problem identification, problem solving, and intervention planning
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Indicators of and methods of assessing motivation, barriers, and readiness for change
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for assessing resilience and coping abilities
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods, techniques, and instruments for assessing client/client system strengths, resources, needs, and challenges
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for obtaining sensitive and/or confidential information (e.g., substance use, sexual abuse)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing clients’/client systems’ communication skills
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in assessment and common indicators of mental health and brain-related conditions
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Components and function of the mental status examination
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of incorporating information from records and evaluations (e.g., employment, medical, psychological, school)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Assessing the availability of and determining appropriate community resources
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Factors and processes used in goal planning, treatment planning, triage, and service plans
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Criteria used in the selection of intervention/treatment modalities (e.g., client/client system abilities, developmental level, culture, life stage)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Cultural considerations in the creation of an intervention plan
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Use and side effects of common prescription, over-the-counter, and alternative medications
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Indicators of client/client system readiness for termination
  • III. INTERVENTION AND PRACTICE (32%) (32%)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Strengths-based and empowerment strategies and interventions
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Principles and techniques for building and maintaining a helping relationship (e.g., acceptance, empathy, rapport)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Interdisciplinary and intra-disciplinary team collaboration (e.g., co-therapy, care conference, IEP)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — The social worker’s role in the problem-solving process
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — End of life practice (e.g., continuity of care, hospice, palliative care, stages of death and dying)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Parenting capacities and skill building
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Policies, procedures, regulations, and legislation and their impact on social work practice and service delivery
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Developing formal documents (e.g., grants, proposals, reports, evaluations)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods and approaches for providing trauma-informed care for various types of trauma (e.g., complex, vicarious)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Verbal and nonverbal communication (e.g., body language, congruence, feedback)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles of active listening and observation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Limit and boundary setting techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Crisis intervention and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Emotional regulation techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Evidence-based practices (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of teaching coping and other self-care skills to clients
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Stress management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Practice with clients experiencing loss, separation, and grief
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for engaging and motivating voluntary and involuntary clients/client systems
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Harm reduction techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Approaches to and methods of advocacy for needed services and resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Psychoeducation methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Contracting and goal-setting techniques (e.g., partializing, measurable objectives)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Problem-solving models and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Techniques and methods for addiction intervention
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Case management techniques (e.g., case recording, documentation, case presentation)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Conflict resolution methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Anger management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Family therapy models, interventions, and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Discharge, aftercare, wrap-around services, and follow-up
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Group work techniques and approaches (e.g., developing and managing group processes and cohesion)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Establishing service networks or community resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Assertiveness training techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Role modeling techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Couples interventions and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Role play techniques
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Techniques for evaluating progress and effectiveness of intervention, treatment, and service plans
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods of establishing program objectives and outcomes
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Program evaluation and related impact on services
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods of evaluating agency programs (e.g., needs assessment, formative/summative assessment, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis, outcomes assessment)
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Basic and applied research design and methods, data collection and analysis methods, and methods to assess reliability and validity in social work research (e.g., objective, subjective, qualitative, quantitative)
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Quality assurance (e.g., program reviews and audits by external sources)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervisee’s role in supervision (e.g., identifying learning needs, self-assessment, prioritizing)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervision and consultation models and techniques (e.g., individual, peer, group, case recording)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Transference and countertransference within supervisory relationships
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Methods for creating, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures that minimize risk for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Organizational development, structure, and functioning (e.g., policies, procedures)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Fiscal management and resource allocation techniques
Examination sources

Open-book examination on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act

Examination outline
  • Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 37, Chapter 35 — Social Workers
  • Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Chapter 1 — Standards of Practice
  • Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Chapter 3 — General Provisions
  • Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Chapter 5 — Minimum Supervision Requirements
  • Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Chapter 7 — Recovering Professional Program Authority
  • Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Chapter 10 — Procedural Rules for Disciplinary Hearings
  • Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Chapter 11 — Procedural Rules for Other Hearings
  • Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Chapter 13 — Continuing Education Requirements
Examination sources

ASWB Masters Exam

Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); administered on computer at Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination (three- and four-option questions) in two 61-question sections, each with a two-hour time limit; scored and pretest questions are mixed together; results reported as pass/fail
Exam questions
122 multiple-choice questions: 110 scored and 12 unscored pretest questions
Time limit
4 hours (two sections, each with a two-hour time limit)
Passing score
Pass/fail; the number of correct answers required varies by exam form and generally ranges from 66 to 78 of the 110 scored questions
Exam fee
US$230 exam registration fee
Examination outline
  • I. VALUES AND ETHICS (35%) (35%)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Principles and processes of obtaining informed consent
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality, including limitations of confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA, PHI, privacy)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues related to the practice of social work, including responsibility to clients/client systems, colleagues, the profession, and society
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Professional values and principles (e.g., competence, social justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Social worker self-care principles
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Importance of professional development activities to improve practice and maintain current professional knowledge (e.g., in-service training, licensing requirements, reviews of literature, workshops, on-going supervision, consultation)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Professional boundaries in the social worker-client/client system relationship (e.g., power differences, influence, privilege, conflicts of interest, self-disclosure, dual relationships)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Protecting and enhancing client/client system self-determination (e.g., medication, medical treatment, counseling, placement, right to refuse services)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding mandatory reporting (e.g., abuse, threat of harm, impaired professionals, duty to warn)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding documentation (e.g., maintaining client records)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Impact of governmental policies on service delivery (e.g., local, state, federal legislation and policy)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues related to death and dying
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues in supervision and management
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Responsible billing practices (e.g., managed care, insurance reimbursement, incident to billing)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues related to electronic practice
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding termination
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social, racial, environmental, and economic justice principles
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and intersectionality on behaviors, attitudes, and identity formation
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Accessibility including language, physical, and cultural access (e.g., translation and interpretation, neurodiversity, American Sign Language)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Privilege and bias and their impact on client/client systems (e.g., implicit bias, microaggressions)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Power differential and racial privilege (e.g., internalized racial and ethnic inferiority and superiority)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Cultural impacts of exploitation across marginalized communities (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social justice, truth and reconciliation, and restorative practices related to clients/client systems from historically oppressed and marginalized communities
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of globalization, immigration, and refugee or immigration status on clients/client systems and service delivery
  • II. ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING (33%) (33%)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of trauma, stressors, violence, and crises on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., intergenerational, historical, and complex)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Family dynamics and functioning and the effects on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of poverty on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., social determinants of health)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Dynamics of interpersonal relationships and relationship development (e.g., family, couples, groups, polyamory)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and neglect on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators of mental and emotional illness throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of out-of-home placement (e.g., hospitalization, foster care, residential care, criminal justice system) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of caregiving on families
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of addiction and substance use and abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Co-occurring disorders and conditions
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Biopsychosocial assessment model and related components and factors
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of exploitation across the lifespan (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Effects of physical and mental ability throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors of out-of-home displacement (e.g., homelessness, immigration, and refugee status) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of aging on the individual and family systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors influencing self- and body-image (e.g., culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, ability, trauma, gender, sexuality, size)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Racial, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual/faith development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Typical and atypical physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — The influence and impact of technology, including social media, on client/client-systems (personal and professional)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of urbanization, globalization, environmental hazards, and climate change on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Client/client system competence, self-determination, and self-monitoring techniques (e.g., financial decisions, treatment decisions, emancipation, age of consent, permanency planning)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles and techniques of interviewing (e.g., supporting, clarifying, confronting, validating, feedback, reflecting, language differences, use of interpreters)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing risk of harm to self and others
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of involving clients/client systems in problem identification, problem solving, and intervention planning
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods, techniques, and instruments for assessing client/client system strengths, resources, needs, and challenges
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for obtaining sensitive and/or confidential information (e.g., substance use, sexual abuse)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for assessing resilience and coping abilities
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Indicators of and methods of assessing motivation, barriers, and readiness for change
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing clients’/client systems’ communication skills
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of incorporating information from records and evaluations (e.g., employment, medical, psychological, school)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Components and function of the mental status examination
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Assessing the availability of and determining appropriate community resources
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Cultural considerations in the creation of an intervention plan
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Factors and processes used in goal planning, treatment planning, triage, and service plans
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Criteria used in the selection of intervention/treatment modalities (e.g., client/client system abilities, developmental level, culture, life stage)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Use and side effects of common prescription, over-the-counter, and alternative medications
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Indicators of client/client system readiness for termination
  • III. INTERVENTION AND PRACTICE (32%) (32%)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Strengths-based and empowerment strategies and interventions
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Principles and techniques for building and maintaining a helping relationship (e.g., acceptance, empathy, rapport)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — The social worker’s role in the problem-solving process
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Interdisciplinary and intra-disciplinary team collaboration (e.g., co-therapy, care conference, IEP)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — End of life practice (e.g., continuity of care, hospice, palliative care, stages of death and dying)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Parenting capacities and skill building
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Policies, procedures, regulations, and legislation and their impact on social work practice and service delivery
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Permanency planning (e.g., child welfare)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Community organizing, development, and mobilizing community participation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Limit and boundary setting techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Verbal and nonverbal communication (e.g., body language, congruence, feedback)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods and approaches for providing trauma-informed care for various types of trauma (e.g., complex, vicarious)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles of active listening and observation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Crisis intervention and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Emotional regulation techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Approaches to and methods of advocacy for needed services and resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of teaching coping and other self-care skills to clients
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Practice with clients experiencing loss, separation, and grief
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for engaging and motivating voluntary and involuntary clients/client systems
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Case management techniques (e.g., case recording, documentation, case presentation)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Evidence-based practices (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Stress management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Harm reduction techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Contracting and goal-setting techniques (e.g., partializing, measurable objectives)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Problem-solving models and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Discharge, aftercare, wrap-around services, and follow-up
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Conflict resolution methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Establishing service networks or community resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Techniques and methods for addiction intervention
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Psychoeducation methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Anger management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Group work techniques and approaches (e.g., developing and managing group processes and cohesion)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Family therapy models, interventions, and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Social change and social planning methods
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Techniques for evaluating progress and effectiveness of intervention, treatment, and service plans
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods, techniques, and instruments used to evaluate social work practice
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods of evaluating agency programs (e.g., needs assessment, formative/summative assessment, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis, outcomes assessment)
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Basic and applied research design and methods, data collection and analysis methods, and methods to assess reliability and validity in social work research (e.g., objective, subjective, qualitative, quantitative)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervisee’s role in supervision (e.g., identifying learning needs, self-assessment, prioritizing)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Methods for creating, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures for safe, inclusive, and a healthy work environment
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Methods for creating, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures that minimize risk for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervision and consultation models and techniques (e.g., individual, peer, group, case recording)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Transference and countertransference within supervisory relationships
Examination sources