ASWB Masters vs Clinical: which exam you take

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In short

Your state board approves you for the ASWB exam that matches the license you apply for, under ASWB's policy. The Masters exam is for a master's-level license, and ASWB lists only a master's degree in social work as its requirement; the Clinical exam is for a clinical license, and ASWB lists experience in clinical settings as well. In New York, the LMSW takes the Masters exam and the LCSW the Clinical; in New Jersey, the LSW takes the Masters and the LCSW the Clinical. Both have 122 questions in four hours; the Masters costs $230 and the Clinical $260.

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At a glance

Who decidesYour state board approves you for one, under ASWB's policy.
ASWB's listed requirementMasters: a master's degree in social work. Clinical: a master's degree in social work and two years (or commensurate experience as defined by the jurisdiction) of experience in clinical settings.
New YorkLMSW: the Masters. LCSW: the Clinical.
New JerseyLSW: the Masters. LCSW: the Clinical.
FormatBoth: 122 questions (110 scored), four hours, two sections.
Values and EthicsMasters 35%, Clinical 36%.
Assessment and PlanningMasters 33%, Clinical 32%.
Intervention and PracticeMasters 32%, Clinical 32%.
Fee to ASWBMasters $230, Clinical $260; nonrefundable.

10 free questions · ASWB Masters and Clinical

1 of 10

A woman staying at a domestic violence shelter tells the social worker she has decided to return tonight to a partner who has been violent. What should the social worker do FIRST?

Pick an answer. No account needed for these 10.

Which ASWB exam do I take?

The one your board approves you for: “The state or province informs ASWB about the exam category that you are approved to take”, and “You must apply for a social work license and be preapproved in order to take the licensing exam” (ASWB). License names differ from state to state, so go by the exam your board names for your license, not by the letters.

ASWB's own descriptions: the Masters is for the “Practice of master's social work including the application of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills”; the Clinical for the “Practice of clinical social work requiring the application of specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills” (Guidebook). ASWB also has Associate, Bachelors and Advanced Generalist exams.

New York: LMSW and LCSW

  • LMSW: “Licensure as an LMSW requires successful completion of the ‘Masters’ (formerly Intermediate) examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)”, or an exam NYSED finds comparable in content, and “No other ASWB examination is acceptable for LMSW licensure.” You can't be approved for it before you receive the MSW (NYSED)
  • LCSW: “Licensure as an LCSW requires successful completion of the ‘Clinical’ examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)”, or an exam NYSED finds comparable in content, taken once you have the MSW and NYSED has determined you met the experience requirement (NYSED)

How long does it take to go from LMSW to LCSW in New York?

New Jersey: LSW and LCSW

  • LSW: “Proof of successful completion of the master's level examination administered by the ASWB” (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.2(a)5). A student in the last semester of an MSW program may be eligible to take it (4.2(a)5.i). The Board approves you for it through the LSW application
  • LCSW: “Proof that the applicant has successfully completed the clinical examination administered by the ASWB” (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1(b)5). The Board approves you for the Clinical exam once your clinical hours are done (the Board's LCSW page, as read on October 22, 2026)

NJ LSW requirements and the ASWB Masters exam

How are the Masters and Clinical exams different?

  • The same format: 122 questions, 110 scored, two sections, four hours
  • The same three content areas, with slightly different weights: Masters 35%, 33%, 32%; Clinical 36%, 32%, 32%
  • Different outlines. Two examples that appear in the Clinical outline and not the Masters outline: the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in assessment, and couples interventions and treatment approaches (Guidebook). The DSM-5-TR is on both exams' reference lists
  • Different fees: $230 for the Masters and $260 for the Clinical. “All fees are nonrefundable” (Guidebook)

Can I take the Clinical exam instead of the Masters?

Only if your board approves you for it, since the board tells ASWB your exam category. In New York, “No other ASWB examination is acceptable for LMSW licensure.” A pass counts only for its own category: “Your passing or failing score is valid in all states and provinces for the same examination category” (Guidebook).

Sources

Checked against the published rules of ASWB, NYSED and the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners on October 23, 2026. Licensure Hours is independent and not affiliated with ASWB, NYSED or the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners; their own pages are the final word, and this is guidance, not legal advice.

More on the ASWB exams

Licensure Hours and the ASWB exams

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