North Carolina Social Work — Requirements &amp; Free Practice

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Compact availability: G.S. 90B-24 legislates the multistate license categories. The official Social Work Licensure Compact educational-resources page states "Multistate licenses are not yet available." No currently issuing compact application route or compact examination is inferred.
Education: Hold a bachelors social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Experience: No prior experience is required.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Reinstatement after nonrenewal

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board discretion: G.S. 90B-9(c) permits new supervisory reports or references, other credential updates and an examination for reinstatement. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition rather than an invented leaf.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Prior suspension: The credential was suspended for failure to renew for more than 60 days.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Reinstatement materials: Submit the $155 reinstatement fee plus renewal/late fees owed, a Renewal Affidavit, a current .0202 application and three professional references.
Score evidence: The updated application includes official score reports for the credential examination prescribed by .0301; current registered examinations previously passed remain leaves. A new sitting is not automatically required.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Military relocation license portability

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the notarized affidavit required by 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), affirming identity, complete truthful statements, understanding of and compliance with the receiving-state requirements and scope, and good standing in all licensing jurisdictions.
Board application: Use the Board relocation application, provide active-license and scope verification and SSA-89 as required by its checklist.
Compact exception: 50 U.S.C. 4025a(e) excludes a person holding a covered license to operate in multiple states under an interstate compact; compact multistate licenses are not yet available according to the official Compact educational-resources page.
Covered license: The license must not have been revoked, disciplined, subject to a pending unprofessional-conduct investigation or surrendered during such investigation.
Military relocation: Hold a covered professional license or certificate in good standing and relocate residence because of military-service orders; provide the orders and a marriage certificate when applicable.
Older brochure: The Board relocation packet embeds a January 2023 brochure requiring that the applicant "Have actively used the license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the move." Current 50 U.S.C. 4025a, amended December 23, 2024, replaces that provision; the older Board brochure demand is retained here as a lower-ranked instruction.
Scope: The covered license is recognized for its scope under the amended federal statute; an associate-level license does not authorize independent clinical practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), current text
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), application
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license
NCSWCLB military relocation application
Relocation application checklist, first checklist through SSA-89 requirement

Renewal with military waiver or extension

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Ce waiver: During the Board-approved extension, continuing education is not required; credits obtained in the extension cannot be applied to a future renewal cycle.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Military extension: Before expiration, provide the military orders and the IRS or State Department of Revenue tax-filing extension approval with a written renewal-extension request.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0406

Military spouse endorsement

Application: Submit .0214(b) information, including the .0202(b)(1)-(16) materials and statutory spouse qualification documentation.
Competency: Demonstrate competence by Board-determined methods, including qualifying continuing education or recent occupational practice for two of the preceding five years.
Examination condition: The statute leaves competence methods to the Board. The Board .0214(b) incorporates .0202(b)(14) score reports and the examinations specified by .0301 for exam-bearing credentials; passage may precede this application.
Fees: No initial application fee under G.S. 93B-15.1(k); ordinary renewal fees and actual third-party costs remain possible.
Good standing: Be in good standing, without discipline or pending complaints and without acts that would justify denial, suspension or revocation.
Military spouse: Provide evidence of military-spouse status and a current credential from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent or higher standards.

Military occupational training and experience

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the restricted application information specified in .0214(a)(1), the subsection (a) qualification documentation and correctly completed SSA-89.
Decision: The Board must issue or notify the applicant of unmet criteria within the statutory 15-day period.
Fees: No initial application fee is charged under G.S. 93B-15.1(k).
Good standing: No act that would justify refusal, suspension or revocation, and no pending complaints.
Military specialty: Document an awarded military occupational specialty, substantially equivalent military training, testing or equivalent experience, and performance in that specialty under G.S. 93B-15.1(a)(1).
Recent practice: Show active occupational practice for at least two of the five years preceding application; relevant military duty experience is credited.
Scope: Clinical associate practice remains supervised when the issued credential is LCSWA; this route does not convert an associate license into independent LCSW authority.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(a)
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0214(a)
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(k)

Temporary retirement and nonpracticing status

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Associate clock: This is a status of the existing credential, not a new professional license.
Maintenance: No renewal fees or credential-specific continuing education obligations apply during the nonpracticing period.
Practice: Do not represent yourself as certified or licensed by this Board or practice social work requiring an active credential while on this status.
Request: Send written notice requesting temporary retirement; the Board places the credential on nonpracticing status through its online process or approved processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(a); current Article 1
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Academic exemption for practice before January 1, 1984

Academic exemption: The applicant was engaged in social work practice before January 1, 1984; G.S. 90B-10(a) exempts academic qualifications, but requires the Board examination and any applicable experience.
Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Reactivation after temporary retirement

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing education: Document completion of the continuing education requirements to the satisfaction of the Board.
Fees: Pay the applicable renewal fee.
Qualification: Remain otherwise qualified for the existing credential. For an associate license, the six-year clock includes time in nonpracticing status.
Request: Apply to the Board with a written reactivation request and the prescribed renewal affidavit; use the online process or obtain an approved waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0404(b)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Biennial renewal, including late renewal within 60 days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0403(a)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Licensure or certification through substantial equivalency

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board discretion: G.S. 90B-8(a) permits issuance without retesting or by special examination; an unspecified special examination is a condition. The Board implementing .0207 rule identifies the ASWB examination for this route.
Current credential: Hold a current and active, substantially equivalent social work credential in good standing from another jurisdiction. The Board determines equivalency rather than granting automatic reciprocity.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Equivalency: Supply the issuing-jurisdiction law or verification of the qualifications under which the credential was granted; another jurisdiction examination not identified as the applicable ASWB exam is a condition for Board review, not a leaf.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Examination evidence: Provide certified proof of passage of the ASWB examination specified for this credential by 21 NCAC 63 .0207. A past passing score in a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.
Verification: Provide primary-source license verification; the Board notice effective May 1, 2026 removes separate documentation when verification is available through a primary-source lookup.

Certified Social Work Manager

Voluntary non-clinical certification.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board · Application information

Initial issuance by examination: bachelors degree

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board page exam: The lower-ranked Board Levels and Eligibility Requirements page states "ASWB Advanced Generalist level examination" for CSWM generally. The adopted .0301(b) rule expressly assigns the Bachelors examination to bachelors-degree applicants.
Board page supervisor: The lower-ranked Board Levels and Eligibility Requirements page states: "by a Social Work Administrator certified by the Board on at least one level and who has a minimum of five years administration experience in a Social Work or Mental Health setting." The current administrative rule sets the legal two-year requirement.
Degree path: This route applies to an applicant holding a bachelors social work degree under the degree-dependent examination provision of 21 NCAC 63 .0301(b).
Education: Hold the qualifying social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Exam eligibility: Board approval for the Advanced Generalist examination requires two years of administrative social work experience.
Experience: Document 3,000 hours of paid post-degree administrative social work employment over two to six consecutive years; educational practicum or internship does not count.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
Forms: Submit the CSWM Administrative Supervision Form and Employment Verification Form demonstrating supervised administrative experience in the preceding six years.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervision: Document at least 100 supervision hours, at least every two weeks; no more than 50 group hours and no more than 50 synchronous audio-video hours.
Supervisor: 21 NCAC 63 .0211(b)(2) requires a Board-certified or licensed social work administrator with at least two years of administrative experience.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Initial issuance by examination: masters degree

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board page supervisor: The lower-ranked Board Levels and Eligibility Requirements page states: "by a Social Work Administrator certified by the Board on at least one level and who has a minimum of five years administration experience in a Social Work or Mental Health setting." The current administrative rule sets the legal two-year requirement.
Degree path: This route applies to an applicant holding a masters social work degree under the degree-dependent examination provision of 21 NCAC 63 .0301(b).
Education: Hold the qualifying social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Exam eligibility: Board approval for the Advanced Generalist examination requires two years of administrative social work experience.
Experience: Document 3,000 hours of paid post-degree administrative social work employment over two to six consecutive years; educational practicum or internship does not count.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
Forms: Submit the CSWM Administrative Supervision Form and Employment Verification Form demonstrating supervised administrative experience in the preceding six years.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervision: Document at least 100 supervision hours, at least every two weeks; no more than 50 group hours and no more than 50 synchronous audio-video hours.
Supervisor: 21 NCAC 63 .0211(b)(2) requires a Board-certified or licensed social work administrator with at least two years of administrative experience.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Reinstatement after nonrenewal: bachelors degree

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board discretion: G.S. 90B-9(c) permits new supervisory reports or references, other credential updates and an examination for reinstatement. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition rather than an invented leaf.
Degree path: Apply the .0301(b) bachelors degree examination provision.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Prior suspension: The credential was suspended for failure to renew for more than 60 days.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Reinstatement materials: Submit the $155 reinstatement fee plus renewal/late fees owed, a Renewal Affidavit, a current .0202 application and three professional references.
Score evidence: The updated application includes official score reports for the credential examination prescribed by .0301; current registered examinations previously passed remain leaves. A new sitting is not automatically required.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Reinstatement after nonrenewal: masters degree

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board discretion: G.S. 90B-9(c) permits new supervisory reports or references, other credential updates and an examination for reinstatement. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition rather than an invented leaf.
Degree path: Apply the .0301(b) masters degree examination provision.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Prior suspension: The credential was suspended for failure to renew for more than 60 days.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Reinstatement materials: Submit the $155 reinstatement fee plus renewal/late fees owed, a Renewal Affidavit, a current .0202 application and three professional references.
Score evidence: The updated application includes official score reports for the credential examination prescribed by .0301; current registered examinations previously passed remain leaves. A new sitting is not automatically required.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Military relocation license portability

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the notarized affidavit required by 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), affirming identity, complete truthful statements, understanding of and compliance with the receiving-state requirements and scope, and good standing in all licensing jurisdictions.
Board application: Use the Board relocation application, provide active-license and scope verification and SSA-89 as required by its checklist.
Compact exception: 50 U.S.C. 4025a(e) excludes a person holding a covered license to operate in multiple states under an interstate compact; compact multistate licenses are not yet available according to the official Compact educational-resources page.
Covered license: The license must not have been revoked, disciplined, subject to a pending unprofessional-conduct investigation or surrendered during such investigation.
Military relocation: Hold a covered professional license or certificate in good standing and relocate residence because of military-service orders; provide the orders and a marriage certificate when applicable.
Older brochure: The Board relocation packet embeds a January 2023 brochure requiring that the applicant "Have actively used the license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the move." Current 50 U.S.C. 4025a, amended December 23, 2024, replaces that provision; the older Board brochure demand is retained here as a lower-ranked instruction.
Scope: The covered license is recognized for its scope under the amended federal statute; an associate-level license does not authorize independent clinical practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), current text
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), application
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license
NCSWCLB military relocation application
Relocation application checklist, first checklist through SSA-89 requirement

Renewal with military waiver or extension

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Ce waiver: During the Board-approved extension, continuing education is not required; credits obtained in the extension cannot be applied to a future renewal cycle.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Military extension: Before expiration, provide the military orders and the IRS or State Department of Revenue tax-filing extension approval with a written renewal-extension request.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0406

Military spouse endorsement: bachelors degree

Application: Submit .0214(b) information, including the .0202(b)(1)-(16) materials and statutory spouse qualification documentation.
Competency: Demonstrate competence by Board-determined methods, including qualifying continuing education or recent occupational practice for two of the preceding five years.
Degree path: The .0301(b) examination is selected by the applicant social work degree: bachelors.
Examination condition: The statute leaves competence methods to the Board. The Board .0214(b) incorporates .0202(b)(14) score reports and the examinations specified by .0301 for exam-bearing credentials; passage may precede this application.
Fees: No initial application fee under G.S. 93B-15.1(k); ordinary renewal fees and actual third-party costs remain possible.
Good standing: Be in good standing, without discipline or pending complaints and without acts that would justify denial, suspension or revocation.
Military spouse: Provide evidence of military-spouse status and a current credential from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent or higher standards.

Military spouse endorsement: masters degree

Application: Submit .0214(b) information, including the .0202(b)(1)-(16) materials and statutory spouse qualification documentation.
Competency: Demonstrate competence by Board-determined methods, including qualifying continuing education or recent occupational practice for two of the preceding five years.
Degree path: The .0301(b) examination is selected by the applicant social work degree: masters.
Examination condition: The statute leaves competence methods to the Board. The Board .0214(b) incorporates .0202(b)(14) score reports and the examinations specified by .0301 for exam-bearing credentials; passage may precede this application.
Fees: No initial application fee under G.S. 93B-15.1(k); ordinary renewal fees and actual third-party costs remain possible.
Good standing: Be in good standing, without discipline or pending complaints and without acts that would justify denial, suspension or revocation.
Military spouse: Provide evidence of military-spouse status and a current credential from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent or higher standards.

Military occupational training and experience

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the restricted application information specified in .0214(a)(1), the subsection (a) qualification documentation and correctly completed SSA-89.
Decision: The Board must issue or notify the applicant of unmet criteria within the statutory 15-day period.
Fees: No initial application fee is charged under G.S. 93B-15.1(k).
Good standing: No act that would justify refusal, suspension or revocation, and no pending complaints.
Military specialty: Document an awarded military occupational specialty, substantially equivalent military training, testing or equivalent experience, and performance in that specialty under G.S. 93B-15.1(a)(1).
Recent practice: Show active occupational practice for at least two of the five years preceding application; relevant military duty experience is credited.
Scope: Clinical associate practice remains supervised when the issued credential is LCSWA; this route does not convert an associate license into independent LCSW authority.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(a)
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0214(a)
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(k)

Temporary retirement and nonpracticing status

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Associate clock: This is a status of the existing credential, not a new professional license.
Maintenance: No renewal fees or credential-specific continuing education obligations apply during the nonpracticing period.
Practice: Do not represent yourself as certified or licensed by this Board or practice social work requiring an active credential while on this status.
Request: Send written notice requesting temporary retirement; the Board places the credential on nonpracticing status through its online process or approved processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(a); current Article 1
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Academic exemption for practice before January 1, 1984

Academic exemption: G.S. 90B-10(a) exempts academic qualifications for applicants engaged in practice before January 1, 1984, while retaining examination and experience requirements.
Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board page supervisor: The lower-ranked Board Levels and Eligibility Requirements page states: "by a Social Work Administrator certified by the Board on at least one level and who has a minimum of five years administration experience in a Social Work or Mental Health setting." The current administrative rule sets the legal two-year requirement.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Exam assignment: The degree-conditional .0301(b) clauses do not specify an applicant without a degree; the Board credential-level implementation names Advanced Generalist. That named current examination is retained rather than inventing a separate exempt-applicant examination.
Exam eligibility: Board approval for the Advanced Generalist examination requires two years of administrative social work experience.
Experience: Document 3,000 hours of paid post-degree administrative social work employment over two to six consecutive years; educational practicum or internship does not count.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
Forms: Submit the CSWM Administrative Supervision Form and Employment Verification Form demonstrating supervised administrative experience in the preceding six years.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervision: Document at least 100 supervision hours, at least every two weeks; no more than 50 group hours and no more than 50 synchronous audio-video hours.
Supervisor: 21 NCAC 63 .0211(b)(2) requires a Board-certified or licensed social work administrator with at least two years of administrative experience.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Reactivation after temporary retirement

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing education: Document completion of the continuing education requirements to the satisfaction of the Board.
Fees: Pay the applicable renewal fee.
Qualification: Remain otherwise qualified for the existing credential. For an associate license, the six-year clock includes time in nonpracticing status.
Request: Apply to the Board with a written reactivation request and the prescribed renewal affidavit; use the online process or obtain an approved waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0404(b)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Biennial renewal, including late renewal within 60 days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0403(a)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Licensure or certification through substantial equivalency

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board discretion: G.S. 90B-8(a) permits issuance without retesting or by special examination; an unspecified special examination is a condition. The Board implementing .0207 rule identifies the ASWB examination for this route.
Current credential: Hold a current and active, substantially equivalent social work credential in good standing from another jurisdiction. The Board determines equivalency rather than granting automatic reciprocity.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Equivalency: Supply the issuing-jurisdiction law or verification of the qualifications under which the credential was granted; another jurisdiction examination not identified as the applicable ASWB exam is a condition for Board review, not a leaf.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Examination evidence: Provide certified proof of passage of the ASWB examination specified for this credential by 21 NCAC 63 .0207. A past passing score in a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Manager exam: The substantial-equivalency rule .0207(c)(3) requires Advanced Generalist passage for this route regardless of the initial-examination route degree distinction.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.
Verification: Provide primary-source license verification; the Board notice effective May 1, 2026 removes separate documentation when verification is available through a primary-source lookup.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Clinical social work practice license.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board · Application information

Conversion from NC LCSWA to LCSW

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Current credential: Hold an NC LCSWA license and submit the LCSW Short-Form Application signed by the applicant and LCSW supervisor, with the supervisor recommendation, required certifications, fee and continuing-education list.
Education: Hold a masters or doctoral social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Exam eligibility: The Board must document two years of clinical social work practice and approve the clinical examination request before testing.
Experience: Document at least 3,000 hours of paid post-MSW clinical social work practice over no less than two and no more than six consecutive years; educational practicum or internship does not count.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervised practice: Until the Clinical examination is passed and the LCSW license is issued, comply with associate supervision, six-month reports and emergency-crisis-plan requirements.
Supervision: Document at least 100 hours, at least every two weeks and at least one hour per 30 practice hours; no more than 25 group hours and ordinarily no more than 50 hours through synchronous audio-video technology.
Supervisor: Supervision must be by an MSW who is an LCSW in good standing and has two additional years of clinical experience after LCSW licensure; restricted supervisors require Board permission.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Initial issuance by examination

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Application form: Use the full application when not currently an NC associate licensee; currently licensed NC associates use the separately recorded short-form conversion route.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Compact availability: G.S. 90B-24 legislates the multistate license categories. The official Social Work Licensure Compact educational-resources page states "Multistate licenses are not yet available." No currently issuing compact application route or compact examination is inferred.
Education: Hold a masters or doctoral social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Exam eligibility: The Board must document two years of clinical social work practice and approve the clinical examination request before testing.
Experience: Document at least 3,000 hours of paid post-MSW clinical social work practice over no less than two and no more than six consecutive years; educational practicum or internship does not count.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervised practice: Until the Clinical examination is passed and the LCSW license is issued, comply with associate supervision, six-month reports and emergency-crisis-plan requirements.
Supervision: Document at least 100 hours, at least every two weeks and at least one hour per 30 practice hours; no more than 25 group hours and ordinarily no more than 50 hours through synchronous audio-video technology.
Supervisor: Supervision must be by an MSW who is an LCSW in good standing and has two additional years of clinical experience after LCSW licensure; restricted supervisors require Board permission.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Reinstatement after nonrenewal

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board discretion: G.S. 90B-9(c) permits new supervisory reports or references, other credential updates and an examination for reinstatement. An unnamed additional examination is an applicant condition rather than an invented leaf.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Prior suspension: The credential was suspended for failure to renew for more than 60 days.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Reinstatement materials: Submit the $155 reinstatement fee plus renewal/late fees owed, a Renewal Affidavit, a current .0202 application and three professional references.
Score evidence: The updated application includes official score reports for the credential examination prescribed by .0301; current registered examinations previously passed remain leaves. A new sitting is not automatically required.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Military relocation license portability

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the notarized affidavit required by 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), affirming identity, complete truthful statements, understanding of and compliance with the receiving-state requirements and scope, and good standing in all licensing jurisdictions.
Board application: Use the Board relocation application, provide active-license and scope verification and SSA-89 as required by its checklist.
Compact exception: 50 U.S.C. 4025a(e) excludes a person holding a covered license to operate in multiple states under an interstate compact; compact multistate licenses are not yet available according to the official Compact educational-resources page.
Covered license: The license must not have been revoked, disciplined, subject to a pending unprofessional-conduct investigation or surrendered during such investigation.
Military relocation: Hold a covered professional license or certificate in good standing and relocate residence because of military-service orders; provide the orders and a marriage certificate when applicable.
Older brochure: The Board relocation packet embeds a January 2023 brochure requiring that the applicant "Have actively used the license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the move." Current 50 U.S.C. 4025a, amended December 23, 2024, replaces that provision; the older Board brochure demand is retained here as a lower-ranked instruction.
Scope: The covered license is recognized for its scope under the amended federal statute; an associate-level license does not authorize independent clinical practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), current text
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), application
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license
NCSWCLB military relocation application
Relocation application checklist, first checklist through SSA-89 requirement

Renewal with military waiver or extension

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Ce waiver: During the Board-approved extension, continuing education is not required; credits obtained in the extension cannot be applied to a future renewal cycle.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Military extension: Before expiration, provide the military orders and the IRS or State Department of Revenue tax-filing extension approval with a written renewal-extension request.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0406

Military spouse endorsement

Application: Submit .0214(b) information, including the .0202(b)(1)-(16) materials and statutory spouse qualification documentation.
Competency: Demonstrate competence by Board-determined methods, including qualifying continuing education or recent occupational practice for two of the preceding five years.
Examination condition: The statute leaves competence methods to the Board. The Board .0214(b) incorporates .0202(b)(14) score reports and the examinations specified by .0301 for exam-bearing credentials; passage may precede this application.
Fees: No initial application fee under G.S. 93B-15.1(k); ordinary renewal fees and actual third-party costs remain possible.
Good standing: Be in good standing, without discipline or pending complaints and without acts that would justify denial, suspension or revocation.
Military spouse: Provide evidence of military-spouse status and a current credential from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent or higher standards.

Military occupational training and experience

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the restricted application information specified in .0214(a)(1), the subsection (a) qualification documentation and correctly completed SSA-89.
Decision: The Board must issue or notify the applicant of unmet criteria within the statutory 15-day period.
Fees: No initial application fee is charged under G.S. 93B-15.1(k).
Good standing: No act that would justify refusal, suspension or revocation, and no pending complaints.
Military specialty: Document an awarded military occupational specialty, substantially equivalent military training, testing or equivalent experience, and performance in that specialty under G.S. 93B-15.1(a)(1).
Recent practice: Show active occupational practice for at least two of the five years preceding application; relevant military duty experience is credited.
Scope: Clinical associate practice remains supervised when the issued credential is LCSWA; this route does not convert an associate license into independent LCSW authority.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(a)
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0214(a)
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(k)

Temporary retirement and nonpracticing status

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Associate clock: This is a status of the existing credential, not a new professional license.
Maintenance: No renewal fees or credential-specific continuing education obligations apply during the nonpracticing period.
Practice: Do not represent yourself as certified or licensed by this Board or practice social work requiring an active credential while on this status.
Request: Send written notice requesting temporary retirement; the Board places the credential on nonpracticing status through its online process or approved processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(a); current Article 1
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Reactivation after temporary retirement

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing education: Document completion of the continuing education requirements to the satisfaction of the Board.
Fees: Pay the applicable renewal fee.
Qualification: Remain otherwise qualified for the existing credential. For an associate license, the six-year clock includes time in nonpracticing status.
Request: Apply to the Board with a written reactivation request and the prescribed renewal affidavit; use the online process or obtain an approved waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0404(b)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Biennial renewal, including late renewal within 60 days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0403(a)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Licensure or certification through substantial equivalency

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Board discretion: G.S. 90B-8(a) permits issuance without retesting or by special examination; an unspecified special examination is a condition. The Board implementing .0207 rule identifies the ASWB examination for this route.
Current credential: Hold a current and active, substantially equivalent social work credential in good standing from another jurisdiction. The Board determines equivalency rather than granting automatic reciprocity.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Equivalency: Supply the issuing-jurisdiction law or verification of the qualifications under which the credential was granted; another jurisdiction examination not identified as the applicable ASWB exam is a condition for Board review, not a leaf.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Examination evidence: Provide certified proof of passage of the ASWB examination specified for this credential by 21 NCAC 63 .0207. A past passing score in a currently offered examination remains an examination leaf.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
No prior aswb: If the ASWB Clinical examination was not passed, provide the issuing law so the Board can determine eligibility; the Board must approve testing and the examination must be passed before LCSW issuance.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.
Verification: Provide primary-source license verification; the Board notice effective May 1, 2026 removes separate documentation when verification is available through a primary-source lookup.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate

Supervised clinical social work associate license.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board · Application information

Initial associate licensure

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Crisis plan: Before clinical practice, submit a crisis plan for each location with access within one hour to a licensed mental health professional; report changes within seven days.
Education: Hold a masters or doctoral social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Employment: Before clinical practice, submit the prescribed Employment Verification for LCSWA form.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
Future conversion: Passing the ASWB Clinical examination is required for later LCSW issuance; this later conversion has its own route. It is not an examination prerequisite to first LCSWA issuance.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Initial experience: No prior practice experience is required for initial associate licensure.
Reference supervisor: At least one professional reference must be from a past or current social work supervisor.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Reports: Submit the prescribed reports of clinical experience and supervision every six months.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervision: Practice only under ongoing supervision required by G.S. 90B-7(f) and 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(2).
Term: An associate license term cannot exceed two years. Complete LCSW requirements within six years or as directed by the Board; G.S. 90B-7(f) controls the six-year limit.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

G.S. 90B-7, titles and qualifications
G.S. 90B-7(f)
NCSWCLB Levels and Eligibility Requirements
Level C associate, examination for initial issuance
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0210(a)

Military relocation license portability

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the notarized affidavit required by 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), affirming identity, complete truthful statements, understanding of and compliance with the receiving-state requirements and scope, and good standing in all licensing jurisdictions.
Board application: Use the Board relocation application, provide active-license and scope verification and SSA-89 as required by its checklist.
Compact exception: 50 U.S.C. 4025a(e) excludes a person holding a covered license to operate in multiple states under an interstate compact; compact multistate licenses are not yet available according to the official Compact educational-resources page.
Covered license: The license must not have been revoked, disciplined, subject to a pending unprofessional-conduct investigation or surrendered during such investigation.
Military relocation: Hold a covered professional license or certificate in good standing and relocate residence because of military-service orders; provide the orders and a marriage certificate when applicable.
Older brochure: The Board relocation packet embeds a January 2023 brochure requiring that the applicant "Have actively used the license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the move." Current 50 U.S.C. 4025a, amended December 23, 2024, replaces that provision; the older Board brochure demand is retained here as a lower-ranked instruction.
Scope: The covered license is recognized for its scope under the amended federal statute; an associate-level license does not authorize independent clinical practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), current text
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), application
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license
NCSWCLB military relocation application
Relocation application checklist, first checklist through SSA-89 requirement

Renewal with military waiver or extension

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Associate limit: Renewal remains subject to the six-year total in G.S. 90B-7(f), unless otherwise directed by the Board. Later LCSW conversion and new associate issuance after six years are separate routes.
Ce waiver: During the Board-approved extension, continuing education is not required; credits obtained in the extension cannot be applied to a future renewal cycle.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Military extension: Before expiration, provide the military orders and the IRS or State Department of Revenue tax-filing extension approval with a written renewal-extension request.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0406

Military spouse endorsement

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit .0214(b) information, including the .0202(b)(1)-(16) materials and statutory spouse qualification documentation.
Competency: Demonstrate competence by Board-determined methods, including qualifying continuing education or recent occupational practice for two of the preceding five years.
Crisis plan: Before clinical practice, submit a crisis plan for each location with access within one hour to a licensed mental health professional; report changes within seven days.
Education: Hold a masters or doctoral social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employment: Before clinical practice, submit the prescribed Employment Verification for LCSWA form.
Examination condition: The statute leaves competence methods to the Board. The Board .0214(b) incorporates .0202(b)(14) score reports and the examinations specified by .0301 for exam-bearing credentials; passage may precede this application.
Fees: No initial application fee under G.S. 93B-15.1(k); ordinary renewal fees and actual third-party costs remain possible.
Future conversion: Passing the ASWB Clinical examination is required for later LCSW issuance; this later conversion has its own route. It is not an examination prerequisite to first LCSWA issuance.
Good standing: Be in good standing, without discipline or pending complaints and without acts that would justify denial, suspension or revocation.
Initial experience: No prior practice experience is required for initial associate licensure.
Military spouse: Provide evidence of military-spouse status and a current credential from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent or higher standards.
Reference supervisor: At least one professional reference must be from a past or current social work supervisor.
Reports: Submit the prescribed reports of clinical experience and supervision every six months.
Supervision: Practice only under ongoing supervision required by G.S. 90B-7(f) and 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(2).
Term: An associate license term cannot exceed two years. Complete LCSW requirements within six years or as directed by the Board; G.S. 90B-7(f) controls the six-year limit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(b)
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0214(b)
G.S. 90B-7, titles and qualifications
G.S. 90B-7(f)
NCSWCLB Levels and Eligibility Requirements
Level C associate, examination for initial issuance
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(k)

Military occupational training and experience

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the restricted application information specified in .0214(a)(1), the subsection (a) qualification documentation and correctly completed SSA-89.
Decision: The Board must issue or notify the applicant of unmet criteria within the statutory 15-day period.
Fees: No initial application fee is charged under G.S. 93B-15.1(k).
Good standing: No act that would justify refusal, suspension or revocation, and no pending complaints.
Military specialty: Document an awarded military occupational specialty, substantially equivalent military training, testing or equivalent experience, and performance in that specialty under G.S. 93B-15.1(a)(1).
Recent practice: Show active occupational practice for at least two of the five years preceding application; relevant military duty experience is credited.
Scope: Clinical associate practice remains supervised when the issued credential is LCSWA; this route does not convert an associate license into independent LCSW authority.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(a)
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0214(a)
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(k)

Temporary retirement and nonpracticing status

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Associate clock: For an associate license, time in nonpracticing status counts toward the six-year total under .0404(c).
Maintenance: No renewal fees or credential-specific continuing education obligations apply during the nonpracticing period.
Practice: Do not represent yourself as certified or licensed by this Board or practice social work requiring an active credential while on this status.
Request: Send written notice requesting temporary retirement; the Board places the credential on nonpracticing status through its online process or approved processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(a); current Article 1
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Reactivation after temporary retirement

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing education: Document completion of the continuing education requirements to the satisfaction of the Board.
Fees: Pay the applicable renewal fee.
Qualification: Remain otherwise qualified for the existing credential. For an associate license, the six-year clock includes time in nonpracticing status.
Request: Apply to the Board with a written reactivation request and the prescribed renewal affidavit; use the online process or obtain an approved waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9.1(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0404(b)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

Biennial renewal, including late renewal within 60 days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Affidavit: Submit the Renewal Affidavit with the required CE list, professional-fitness and disciplinary/criminal disclosures, ethics/compliance attestations and employee-misclassification disclosures.
Associate limit: Renewal remains subject to the six-year total in G.S. 90B-7(f), unless otherwise directed by the Board. Later LCSW conversion and new associate issuance after six years are separate routes.
Continuing education: Provide 40 contact hours per full two-year cycle or 30 for a shorter term, including at least four social-work ethics hours; Board categories and limits apply.
Current credential: Hold this credential and apply by its expiration; late renewal within 60 days requires the additional $50 late fee. After more than 60 days, suspension and the separately recorded reinstatement rules apply.
Fees: Pay the credential-specific renewal fee and applicable late fee.
Online: Use the online renewal process effective April 1, 2025, or obtain the Board online-processing waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-6(g); current Article 1
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-9(b); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0403(a)
NCSWCLB applicant and licensee notices
Notice effective April 1, 2025, online renewal and nonpracticing requests

New associate license after the initial six year period

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Crisis plan: Before clinical practice, submit a crisis plan for each location with access within one hour to a licensed mental health professional; report changes within seven days.
Education: Hold a masters or doctoral social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Employment: Before clinical practice, submit the prescribed Employment Verification for LCSWA form.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Expired hours: Supervision and experience hours from the initial associate license expire six years after initial issuance and cannot be credited to later licensure.
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
Future conversion: Passing the ASWB Clinical examination is required for later LCSW issuance; this later conversion has its own route. It is not an examination prerequisite to first LCSWA issuance.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Initial experience: No prior practice experience is required for initial associate licensure.
Passing before new license: G.S. 90B-7(f) expressly prohibits issuance of a subsequent associate license until the Board qualifying examination is passed; the corresponding currently offered examination is ASWB Clinical under .0301(b).
Prior license: The applicant failed to satisfy all LCSW requirements within six years of the initial associate license and applies for a new associate license.
Reference supervisor: At least one professional reference must be from a past or current social work supervisor.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Reports: Submit the prescribed reports of clinical experience and supervision every six months.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervision: Practice only under ongoing supervision required by G.S. 90B-7(f) and 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(2).
Term: An associate license term cannot exceed two years. Complete LCSW requirements within six years or as directed by the Board; G.S. 90B-7(f) controls the six-year limit.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Associate licensure through substantial equivalency

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit the Board application for the requested credential; an application not completed within two years is denied.
Attestations: Affirm that the information is true, the applicant has read Chapter 90B and the Board rules, and the applicant consents to a criminal history record check.
Crisis plan: Before clinical practice, submit a crisis plan for each location with access within one hour to a licensed mental health professional; report changes within seven days.
Current credential: Hold a current and active social work license in good standing in another jurisdiction.
Education: Hold a masters or doctoral social work degree from a CSWE-approved, accredited or candidacy program.
Employee classification: Read the employee-misclassification notice and disclose investigations and results over the preceding 12 months.
Employment: Before clinical practice, submit the prescribed Employment Verification for LCSWA form.
Ethics acknowledgment: On approval, review the Board ethical guidelines and return a signed agreement to abide by them.
Experience forms: Submit sealed employer verifications for paid supervised post-MSW clinical practice in the preceding six years and sealed clinical-supervision forms for supervision in the preceding four years under .0207(e).
Fees: Pay the $145 application fee for each level sought unless exempt under G.S. 93B-15.1; use an accepted payment method.
Future conversion: Passing the ASWB Clinical examination is required for later LCSW issuance; this later conversion has its own route. It is not an examination prerequisite to first LCSWA issuance.
History: Disclose employment, credentials held, prior examinations, criminal history and pending charges, prior credential denials or discipline, and misconduct findings or pending proceedings.
Initial experience: No prior practice experience is required for initial associate licensure.
Prior examinations: Any examination used for the earlier foreign or other-jurisdiction credential is an applicant condition; .0207(e) identifies no examination prerequisite for associate issuance, and the Board states none is required initially.
Reference supervisor: At least one professional reference must be from a past or current social work supervisor.
References: Provide three professional references with knowledge of professional social work experience. Relatives, clients and subordinates are excluded; the prescribed sealed forms and supervisor/reference rules apply.
Reports: Submit the prescribed reports of clinical experience and supervision every six months.
Social security: Complete and sign Form SSA-89 correctly for the Board to verify the applicant social security number, as required by the Board notice effective March 30, 2026.
Supervision: Practice only under ongoing supervision required by G.S. 90B-7(f) and 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(2).
Term: An associate license term cannot exceed two years. Complete LCSW requirements within six years or as directed by the Board; G.S. 90B-7(f) controls the six-year limit.
Transcript: Submit official transcripts from the institution awarding the highest social work degree; provide course-content clarification when needed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-8(a); current Article 1
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0207(e)
G.S. 90B-7, titles and qualifications
G.S. 90B-7(f)
NCSWCLB Levels and Eligibility Requirements
Level C associate, examination for initial issuance

Temporary Clinical Social Worker License

Temporary clinical practice authorization for qualifying nonresident or military applicants; statutory military permit terms differ from the ordinary six-month temporary license.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board · Application information

Interim temporary license for military relocation

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Board materials: Use the Board relocation application and its supporting license, military-order and SSA-89 documentation.
Covered license: Meet the amended SCRA covered-license and military-relocation criteria, with the statutory application and affidavit.
Processing: 50 U.S.C. 4025a(b) permits an interim temporary license if the licensing authority cannot recognize the covered license within 30 days after application.
Rights: The temporary license confers the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as the permanent license for the covered scope.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(b), interim temporary license
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), current text
50 U.S.C. 4025a, portability of professional licenses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), application
NCSWCLB military relocation application
Relocation application checklist, first checklist through SSA-89 requirement

Military spouse temporary clinical practice permit

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit .0214(c) temporary-licensure information; military-spouse applicants also provide .0213(c) verification.
Full qualification: Complete the applicable military licensing qualification conditions before the temporary authorization expires; the permit itself has no examination prerequisite.
Issuance: G.S. 93B-15.1(f) requires issuance within 15 days of application; use the information from the licensing application.
Other credential: Hold a social work credential in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards and apply while satisfying G.S. 93B-15.1(a) or (b).
Pending complaint: A pending complaint may justify denial or revocation after the statutory notice.
Term: The military permit remains valid for the later of one year or the required occupation renewal date, or until full licensure is granted. This statutory military term controls over any generic six-month temporary-license instruction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-8(c); current Article 1
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(f)
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(b)
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0214(c)

Military trained temporary clinical practice permit

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Application: Submit .0214(c) temporary-licensure information; military-spouse applicants also provide .0213(c) verification.
Full qualification: Complete the applicable military licensing qualification conditions before the temporary authorization expires; the permit itself has no examination prerequisite.
Issuance: G.S. 93B-15.1(f) requires issuance within 15 days of application; use the information from the licensing application.
Other credential: Hold a social work credential in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards and apply while satisfying G.S. 93B-15.1(a) or (b).
Pending complaint: A pending complaint may justify denial or revocation after the statutory notice.
Term: The military permit remains valid for the later of one year or the required occupation renewal date, or until full licensure is granted. This statutory military term controls over any generic six-month temporary-license instruction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 90B
G.S. 90B-8(c); current Article 1
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(f)
G.S. 93B-15.1, military licensing
G.S. 93B-15.1(a)
21 NCAC Chapter 63, Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
21 NCAC 63 .0214(c)

Nonresident temporary clinical license