Tennessee Social Work — Requirements &amp; Free Practice

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of nonclinical advanced practice experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW or LAPSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

Examination after reciprocity ineligibility

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of nonclinical advanced practice experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Reciprocity Ineligibility: An applicant who does not qualify for reciprocity must apply by examination under Rule .04(5)(b). For an advanced or clinical applicant, accepted equivalent out-of-state supervision may remove the need to have first possessed a Tennessee LMSW license.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW or LAPSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

Expedited reciprocity for military member

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; retired, received a discharge other than dishonorable, or was released to a reserve component within the preceding 180 days; attach military identification and status documentation.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Expedited reciprocity for military spouse

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; the spouse is in the armed forces and subject to military transfer to Tennessee; attach spouse military identification and transfer orders.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Late renewal within sixty days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Lapse: Renew within sixty days after expiration and pay the applicable late fee; after that period the rule makes the license administratively revoked. Volunteer license fee exemptions remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(d), late renewal and administrative revocation

Military license recognition for servicemember

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (L.A.P.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Military license recognition for spouse

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember’s spouse; submit marriage certificate.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (L.A.P.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Reactivation of a retired license (more than one year)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired more than one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

Reactivation of a retired license (one year or less)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired one year or less.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

New examination application after disciplinary revocation

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of nonclinical advanced practice experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW or LAPSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

New reciprocity application after disciplinary revocation

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

New examination application after more than five inactive or expired years

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of nonclinical advanced practice experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; Rule .07(2)(c) treats the request as a new application meeting current qualifications.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW or LAPSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

New reciprocity application after more than five inactive or expired years

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; reapply under current reciprocity qualifications if eligible.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Licensure by reciprocity

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Reinstatement after revocation for CE noncompliance

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Fulfill the CE that accumulated at the same rate as for active licenses.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Late Fee: Pay the applicable late renewal fee, subject to special volunteer fee exemptions.
Revocation Cause: License revoked for failure to comply with CE requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(b), revoked license continuing education reinstatement

Reinstatement after less than three inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Prove CE completion for the period the license was not active under Rule .09.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a), reinstatement less than three years, first page
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a)2, continuing education completion

Reinstatement after three to five inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Background Check: Designated vendor sends a criminal background check directly to the Board.
Continued Competency: Rule .07(2)(b)5 requires any additional Board-requested requirements to ensure continued competency. No examination is identified in this provision; any individually required competency measure is an applicant condition.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for three to five years.
License Verification: Provide verification of any license status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(b), complete reinstatement requirements

Biennial license renewal

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Submission: Submit a completed renewal application and renewal/regulatory fees by the expiration date shown on the renewal certificate.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions

Restoration after disciplinary suspension or probation

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Disciplinary Order: Comply completely with every term of the previously issued disciplinary order and submit the signed petition and all supporting documentation under Rule .11(3); obtain a Board Order of Compliance lifting the suspension or probation.
Individual Measures: Any examination or other measure imposed in an individual order is a condition of that order; the general rule identifies no examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.11(3)(a), disciplinary compliance and lifting suspension

Retirement of an existing license

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Existing License: Hold the Tennessee social-work license.
Retirement Affidavit: Submit the completed Board retirement affidavit; retired status does not authorize active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(a), retirement affidavit

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (L.B.S.W.)

Tennessee ordinary baccalaureate social-work license. Retired and reinstated statuses are routes of this same license identity. Historical grandfather applications ended December 31, 2010 under Public Chapter 1016 and are not current issuance routes.

Licensing authority: Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure · Application information

Full licensure after temporary license institutional accreditation

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Temporary License: Hold the corresponding temporary license; apply for full licensure within sixty days after the institution receives CSWE accreditation.

Licensure by examination

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.

Examination after reciprocity ineligibility

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Reciprocity Ineligibility: An applicant who does not qualify for reciprocity must apply by examination under Rule .04(5)(b). For an advanced or clinical applicant, accepted equivalent out-of-state supervision may remove the need to have first possessed a Tennessee LMSW license.

Expedited reciprocity for military member

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; retired, received a discharge other than dishonorable, or was released to a reserve component within the preceding 180 days; attach military identification and status documentation.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Expedited reciprocity for military spouse

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; the spouse is in the armed forces and subject to military transfer to Tennessee; attach spouse military identification and transfer orders.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Late renewal within sixty days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 18 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Lapse: Renew within sixty days after expiration and pay the applicable late fee; after that period the rule makes the license administratively revoked. Volunteer license fee exemptions remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(d), late renewal and administrative revocation

Military license recognition for servicemember

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (L.B.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Military license recognition for spouse

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember’s spouse; submit marriage certificate.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (L.B.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Reactivation of a retired license (more than one year)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 18 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired more than one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

Reactivation of a retired license (one year or less)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 18 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired one year or less.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

New examination application after disciplinary revocation

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.

New reciprocity application after disciplinary revocation

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

New examination application after more than five inactive or expired years

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; Rule .07(2)(c) treats the request as a new application meeting current qualifications.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.

New reciprocity application after more than five inactive or expired years

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; reapply under current reciprocity qualifications if eligible.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Licensure by reciprocity

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Reinstatement after revocation for CE noncompliance

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Fulfill the CE that accumulated at the same rate as for active licenses.
Continuing Education: Complete 18 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Late Fee: Pay the applicable late renewal fee, subject to special volunteer fee exemptions.
Revocation Cause: License revoked for failure to comply with CE requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(b), revoked license continuing education reinstatement

Reinstatement after less than three inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Prove CE completion for the period the license was not active under Rule .09.
Continuing Education: Complete 18 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a), reinstatement less than three years, first page
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a)2, continuing education completion

Reinstatement after three to five inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Background Check: Designated vendor sends a criminal background check directly to the Board.
Continued Competency: Rule .07(2)(b)5 requires any additional Board-requested requirements to ensure continued competency. No examination is identified in this provision; any individually required competency measure is an applicant condition.
Continuing Education: Complete 18 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for three to five years.
License Verification: Provide verification of any license status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(b), complete reinstatement requirements

Biennial license renewal

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 18 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Submission: Submit a completed renewal application and renewal/regulatory fees by the expiration date shown on the renewal certificate.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions

Restoration after disciplinary suspension or probation

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Disciplinary Order: Comply completely with every term of the previously issued disciplinary order and submit the signed petition and all supporting documentation under Rule .11(3); obtain a Board Order of Compliance lifting the suspension or probation.
Individual Measures: Any examination or other measure imposed in an individual order is a condition of that order; the general rule identifies no examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.11(3)(a), disciplinary compliance and lifting suspension

Retirement of an existing license

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Existing License: Hold the Tennessee social-work license.
Retirement Affidavit: Submit the completed Board retirement affidavit; retired status does not authorize active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(a), retirement affidavit

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.)

Tennessee ordinary clinical social-work license. Retired and reinstated statuses are routes of this same license identity. Historical grandfather applications ended December 31, 2010 under Public Chapter 1016 and are not current issuance routes.

Licensing authority: Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure · Application information

Licensure by examination

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of clinical experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

Examination after reciprocity ineligibility

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of clinical experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Reciprocity Ineligibility: An applicant who does not qualify for reciprocity must apply by examination under Rule .04(5)(b). For an advanced or clinical applicant, accepted equivalent out-of-state supervision may remove the need to have first possessed a Tennessee LMSW license.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

Expedited reciprocity for military member

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; retired, received a discharge other than dishonorable, or was released to a reserve component within the preceding 180 days; attach military identification and status documentation.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Expedited reciprocity for military spouse

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; the spouse is in the armed forces and subject to military transfer to Tennessee; attach spouse military identification and transfer orders.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Late renewal within sixty days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Lapse: Renew within sixty days after expiration and pay the applicable late fee; after that period the rule makes the license administratively revoked. Volunteer license fee exemptions remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(d), late renewal and administrative revocation

Military license recognition for servicemember

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Military license recognition for spouse

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember’s spouse; submit marriage certificate.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Reactivation of a retired license (more than one year)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired more than one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

Reactivation of a retired license (one year or less)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired one year or less.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

New examination application after disciplinary revocation

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of clinical experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

New reciprocity application after disciplinary revocation

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

New examination application after more than five inactive or expired years

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of clinical experience over no less than two and no more than eight years from receipt of the application.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; Rule .07(2)(c) treats the request as a new application meeting current qualifications.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Master License: Maintain an active LMSW or temporary LMSW license obtained before the advanced/clinical application and supervised experience; submit a copy and keep it active until the higher license is issued.
Supervision: Complete an additional 100 supervisor contact hours, approximately one per 30 experience hours; at least 60 must be individual and no more than 40 group (at most four supervisees); no more than 75 percent of individual hours may use video technologies.
Supervision Records: Supervisor and supervisee both maintain and verify signed experience and supervision records. Related persons, household members, employees, and other conflicts listed in Rule .08(9) cannot provide qualifying supervision.
Supervisor Qualifications: Use an LCSW supervisor with an active license and at least three years of continuous licensure, subject to the LAPSW pre-2015 provision; secure the supervisor before accumulating experience. Beginning January 1, 2023, document 12 supervision-training CE hours, including three on Tennessee licensing rules, as prescribed by Rule .08(6).

New reciprocity application after more than five inactive or expired years

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; reapply under current reciprocity qualifications if eligible.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Licensure by reciprocity

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Reinstatement after revocation for CE noncompliance

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Fulfill the CE that accumulated at the same rate as for active licenses.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Late Fee: Pay the applicable late renewal fee, subject to special volunteer fee exemptions.
Revocation Cause: License revoked for failure to comply with CE requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(b), revoked license continuing education reinstatement

Reinstatement after less than three inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Prove CE completion for the period the license was not active under Rule .09.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a), reinstatement less than three years, first page
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a)2, continuing education completion

Reinstatement after three to five inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Background Check: Designated vendor sends a criminal background check directly to the Board.
Continued Competency: Rule .07(2)(b)5 requires any additional Board-requested requirements to ensure continued competency. No examination is identified in this provision; any individually required competency measure is an applicant condition.
Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for three to five years.
License Verification: Provide verification of any license status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(b), complete reinstatement requirements

Biennial license renewal

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 30 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Submission: Submit a completed renewal application and renewal/regulatory fees by the expiration date shown on the renewal certificate.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions

Restoration after disciplinary suspension or probation

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Disciplinary Order: Comply completely with every term of the previously issued disciplinary order and submit the signed petition and all supporting documentation under Rule .11(3); obtain a Board Order of Compliance lifting the suspension or probation.
Individual Measures: Any examination or other measure imposed in an individual order is a condition of that order; the general rule identifies no examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.11(3)(a), disciplinary compliance and lifting suspension

Retirement of an existing license

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Existing License: Hold the Tennessee social-work license.
Retirement Affidavit: Submit the completed Board retirement affidavit; retired status does not authorize active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(a), retirement affidavit

Licensed Master’s Social Worker (L.M.S.W.)

Tennessee ordinary master’s social-work license. Retired and reinstated statuses are routes of this same license identity. Historical grandfather applications ended December 31, 2010 under Public Chapter 1016 and are not current issuance routes.

Licensing authority: Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure · Application information

Full licensure after temporary license institutional accreditation

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Temporary License: Hold the corresponding temporary license; apply for full licensure within sixty days after the institution receives CSWE accreditation.

Licensure by examination

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.

Examination after reciprocity ineligibility

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Reciprocity Ineligibility: An applicant who does not qualify for reciprocity must apply by examination under Rule .04(5)(b). For an advanced or clinical applicant, accepted equivalent out-of-state supervision may remove the need to have first possessed a Tennessee LMSW license.

Expedited reciprocity for military member

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; retired, received a discharge other than dishonorable, or was released to a reserve component within the preceding 180 days; attach military identification and status documentation.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Expedited reciprocity for military spouse

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Expedited Applicant: Currently licensed in the profession elsewhere; the spouse is in the armed forces and subject to military transfer to Tennessee; attach spouse military identification and transfer orders.
Licensure Verification: Request expedited verification directly from each licensing authority; the eligibility declaration accompanies a completed ordinary license or reinstatement application.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Late renewal within sixty days

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 24 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Lapse: Renew within sixty days after expiration and pay the applicable late fee; after that period the rule makes the license administratively revoked. Volunteer license fee exemptions remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(d), late renewal and administrative revocation

Military license recognition for servicemember

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Master’s Social Worker (L.M.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Military license recognition for spouse

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Applicant Status: Active military servicemember’s spouse; submit marriage certificate.
Application: Submit military orders, a notarized affidavit with the federal certifications, and marriage evidence when applicable; submit to Tennessee scope-of-practice standards, discipline, and continuing education requirements.
Background Check: The licensing authority may conduct a background check.
Board Form Prior Use: The Board’s linked License Portability Request paragraph 3 states: "I have actively used the license or certificate at some point during the two years immediately preceding the move to Tennessee.". The current 50 U.S.C. 4025a(c) application list does not state this prior-use condition; it is retained as the Board’s implementing demand.
Compact Exception: T.C.A. 58-10-104(6) excludes a covered license subject to an interstate compact to which Tennessee is a party; the Board portability form asks whether the actual license is a compact license. Eligibility depends on the covered license, not merely having an ordinary social-work license.
Covered License: Hold an out-of-state covered social-work license in good standing, without revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation.
Recognized Level: Licensed Master’s Social Worker (L.M.S.W.)
Relocation: Relocate pursuant to military orders to Tennessee, or a contiguous state while seeking to work in Tennessee, under T.C.A. 58-10-103.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-103, mandatory licensing recognition
Public Chapter 1081 (2026), Military Families Licensing Recognition Act
T.C.A. 58-10-104(6), compact-license exception
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(a), license recognition
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(c), complete application items
50 U.S.C. 4025a, Portability of professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses
50 U.S.C. 4025a(f)(1), covered license definition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 3, prior use condition
Health Related Boards Request for License Portability
License Portability Request, paragraph 8, submission to Board

Reactivation of a retired license (more than one year)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 24 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired more than one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

Reactivation of a retired license (one year or less)

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Ce Lookback: Rule .07(3)(b)3 requires CE in the twelve months immediately before the request. Rule .09(10)(a)2 specifies nine hours for LBSW, twelve for LMSW, and fifteen for LAPSW/LCSW when retirement exceeds one year; these replacement hours do not count for the following renewal cycle.
Ce Waiver: The Board may waive retirement-reactivation CE upon a written explanation establishing extraordinary circumstances.
Continuing Education: Complete 24 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Reactivation Application: Submit a reactivation form and applicable renewal/regulatory fees; if reactivation is requested within less than one year, the rule also requests late renewal fees, subject to the special volunteer fee exemption.
Retired Period: License retired one year or less.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(b), complete reactivation requirements
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)2, reactivation after more than one year
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(a)3, discretionary continuing education waiver

New examination application after disciplinary revocation

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.

New reciprocity application after disciplinary revocation

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Prior Disciplinary Revocation: A license was revoked by disciplinary order. No new application will be considered for at least one year, unless the Board’s revocation order states otherwise; satisfy the order and all current qualifications.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

New examination application after more than five inactive or expired years

Age: Have attained the age of majority, as required by the relevant T.C.A. 63-23-102 through 63-23-105 provision.
Application: Submit a completed Board application with truthful disclosures of criminal convictions other than traffic violations, licensure discipline, and civil judgments or adverse settlements.
Background Check: Have the designated vendor send criminal background check results directly to the Board.
Education: Submit an institution-sent official transcript showing a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, or a doctorate/Ph.D. in social work; the rule requires the institution to be CSWE accredited when the degree was granted.
Examination Deadline: Rule 1365-01-.06(5) allows twelve months after approval to pass the applicable exam; Rule .06(7) permits a documented extraordinary-circumstances waiver.
Fees: Pay applicable application, license, and state regulatory fees.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; Rule .07(2)(c) treats the request as a new application meeting current qualifications.
Photograph: Provide a passport-style photograph taken within twelve months before application.

New reciprocity application after more than five inactive or expired years

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired more than five years; reapply under current reciprocity qualifications if eligible.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Licensure by reciprocity

Application: Complete the Board application, disclosures, fees, recent photograph, and vendor criminal background check.
Board Discretion: T.C.A. 63-23-111 permits the Board, at its discretion, to grant the license without examination; this permission does not remove the application’s ASWB verification requirement.
Existing License: Hold licensure from another state whose standards the Board determines are at least as stringent as Tennessee; submit a letter of good standing showing active status or when the license became inactive.
No Previous Failure: Provide proof of no previous failure of the examination required by the Board.
Original License: Provide copies of the original license and current renewal certificate, including license number and expiration date.
Residence Or Employment: Reside or be employed in Tennessee.
Score Verification: The Board application requests ASWB passage verification; passage before applying is retained as a current examination leaf.

Reinstatement after revocation for CE noncompliance

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Fulfill the CE that accumulated at the same rate as for active licenses.
Continuing Education: Complete 24 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Late Fee: Pay the applicable late renewal fee, subject to special volunteer fee exemptions.
Revocation Cause: License revoked for failure to comply with CE requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.09(10)(b), revoked license continuing education reinstatement

Reinstatement after less than three inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Accumulated Education: Prove CE completion for the period the license was not active under Rule .09.
Continuing Education: Complete 24 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for less than three years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a), reinstatement less than three years, first page
Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(a)2, continuing education completion

Reinstatement after three to five inactive or expired years

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Background Check: Designated vendor sends a criminal background check directly to the Board.
Continued Competency: Rule .07(2)(b)5 requires any additional Board-requested requirements to ensure continued competency. No examination is identified in this provision; any individually required competency measure is an applicant condition.
Continuing Education: Complete 24 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Fees: Pay applicable renewal, regulatory, and late fees, subject to the statutory volunteer exemption.
Inactive Period: License inactive or expired for three to five years.
License Verification: Provide verification of any license status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(2)(b), complete reinstatement requirements

Biennial license renewal

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Continuing Education: Complete 24 social-work CE clock hours in the two calendar years preceding renewal, including six ethics hours and one hour on Tennessee social-work law and rules; complete Board-approved two-hour suicide-prevention training at least every four years, subject to the new-license exception.
Continuing Education Records: Retain proof of CE for four years and supply it upon a written Board request; extraordinary-circumstances waivers require Board approval and documentation.
Submission: Submit a completed renewal application and renewal/regulatory fees by the expiration date shown on the renewal certificate.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(1)(c), complete renewal submissions

Restoration after disciplinary suspension or probation

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Disciplinary Order: Comply completely with every term of the previously issued disciplinary order and submit the signed petition and all supporting documentation under Rule .11(3); obtain a Board Order of Compliance lifting the suspension or probation.
Individual Measures: Any examination or other measure imposed in an individual order is a condition of that order; the general rule identifies no examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.11(3)(a), disciplinary compliance and lifting suspension

Retirement of an existing license

No examination is required for this applicant pathway.

Existing License: Hold the Tennessee social-work license.
Retirement Affidavit: Submit the completed Board retirement affidavit; retired status does not authorize active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rules of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, Chapter 1365-01
1365-01-.07(3)(a), retirement affidavit

Temporary Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

Temporary baccalaureate license for a graduate of a social-work institution that applied for but has not yet received CSWE accreditation; distinct from military-portability temporary licensure.

Licensing authority: Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure · Application information

Temporary licensure pending institutional accreditation

Accreditation Deadline: Apply for full corresponding licensure within sixty days after institutional accreditation; the temporary license ends if accreditation is denied or withdrawn.
Application: Submit completed application, conviction/licensure/civil disclosures, applicable temporary/application/regulatory fees, recent passport photograph, and directly transmitted vendor criminal background results.
Education: Have the corresponding bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from an institution that had applied for, but not received, CSWE accreditation when the degree was granted; submit an official transcript and proof of the institution’s accreditation application.
Exam Passage: Rule .04(6)(b)6 requires passage of the corresponding ASWB Bachelors or Masters examination.
Supervised Master Practice: Temporary LMSW status precedes supervised experience toward LAPSW or LCSW licensure; the subsequent higher-level license has its own application and examination.

Temporary Licensed Master’s Social Worker

Temporary master’s license for a graduate of a social-work institution that applied for but has not yet received CSWE accreditation; distinct from military-portability temporary licensure.

Licensing authority: Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure · Application information

Temporary licensure pending institutional accreditation