LMSW to LCSW in New York: How Long It Takes

At least 36 months of supervised experience, and no more than six years. Then NYSED reviews your application and you take the ASWB Clinical exam.

The minimum: 36 months

NYSED requires at least 2,000 client-contact hours over a continuous period of at least 36 months and not more than six years, with at least 100 hours of supervision (8 NYCRR 74.3, 74.6).

The months are a floor of their own: finishing 2,000 hours sooner still means waiting for month 36.

Part-time

The law asks for three years of full-time experience or the part-time equivalent, over a continuous period of no more than six years. Working fewer client-contact hours a week moves your date later, because the 2,000 hours take longer.

The limit: six years

All of it must fit within six years. If your hours are light, plan so the 2,000 land well inside that limit.

After the hours

You apply to NYSED, and each supervisor sends their Form 4B directly to NYSED
NYSED reviews your education and experience; it publishes no timeline for its reviews
Once approved, you take the ASWB Clinical exam

Every step from LMSW to LCSW

When could you apply?

When did (or will) your supervised hours start?

Client-contact hours in a usual weekSupervision a week

You could be eligible to apply around

October 2029

Your 36 months set that date. At 15 hours a week, your 2,000 hours are done sooner.

An estimate that assumes about the same hours every week; weeks off move it later. In the app it firms up from what you actually log.

Or print the free hours log

Sources

Checked against NYSED’s published rules on October 5, 2026. Licensure Hours is independent and not affiliated with NYSED; NYSED’s own pages are the final word, and this is guidance, not legal advice.

Keep the record as you go

Licensure Hours keeps your weekly hours, gets your weeks confirmed by your supervisor with a link, and fills in Form 4B from your record, one per supervisor. Free for 30 days, no card.