The requirements at a glance
- 2,000 client-contact hours in diagnosis, psychotherapy and assessment-based treatment planning
- 100 hours of supervision, face to face, individual or group; secure video counts
- At least 36 months of supervised experience, within no more than 6 years; the 36 months cannot be shortened
- 12 semester hours of clinical coursework, in your MSW or taken after it
- A qualified supervisor: a New York LCSW, a psychologist qualified in psychotherapy, or a psychiatrist who is an ABPN diplomate. An LMSW cannot supervise your LCSW hours.
- The ASWB Clinical exam, after NYSED approves your education and experience
All of this comes after your LMSW: supervised hours toward the LCSW count only once you are licensed as an LMSW.
Your LMSW
Finish your MSW
You and your school · Usually two years full time · Tuition
A master’s degree in social work of at least 60 semester hours, including a field practicum of at least 900 clock hours. For the LCSW later you also need 12 semester hours of clinical coursework.
- Check your program is CSWE-accredited or registered by NYSED as licensure-qualifying.
- Ask your program advisor whether your coursework includes the 12 clinical credits the LCSW needs.
Take the child abuse training
You · About 2 hours · Free from the state’s own provider; some others charge
Coursework or training in identifying and reporting child abuse, from a NYSED-approved provider, required for the LMSW and for a limited permit.
- Choose a provider from NYSED’s approved list.
- Keep your certificate of completion.
Free child abuse course (OCFS) (opens in a new tab)Child abuse training (opens in a new tab)
Apply for your LMSW and pay the fee
You · About 40 minutes · $294 for licensure and first registration
Form 1, Application for Licensure, with the $294 fee, to the Office of the Professions.
- Apply online on the NYSED website (its online service is called eServices), if you can.
- If you already have a job and a supervisor and want to work before the exam, you can send Form 5 (limited permit, $70) at the same time.
- Keep the confirmation with your file number.
Ask your school to verify your MSW
Your school · Weeks, depending on your school · Usually nothing
Form 2, Certification of Professional Education, sent by your school directly to NYSED with your transcript.
- Ask your school’s registrar or licensing office to send Form 2 directly to NYSED.
- Check with the school that they sent it. It is your responsibility that it arrives.
Wait for NYSED to approve your education
NYSED · Varies; NYSED publishes no timeline · Nothing
NYSED reviews your application and education. When you are eligible it notifies you and ASWB.
- If it is taking long, contact the Social Work Unit with your file number.
Limited permit, if you will work before the exam
You and your supervisor · Weeks · $70
Form 5. Lets you practice as an LMSW under the supervision of an NY LMSW or LCSW for up to one year, while you wait to pass the Masters exam. It cannot be extended.
- Finish the two-hour child abuse training first. It is required for the permit.
- Your supervisor, a New York LMSW or LCSW, completes Section II of Form 5.
- Send Form 5 to NYSED with the $70 fee.
- Do not start work until the permit is issued.
- If you take the permit, it lasts up to one year and cannot be extended: plan to pass the Masters exam within that year.
- If your supervisor or setting changes, you need an amended permit.
Pass the ASWB Masters exam
You, then ASWB · One sitting · $230, paid to ASWB
The ASWB Masters examination. Register directly with ASWB once NYSED has notified you of eligibility. ASWB sends your score to NYSED.
- Register with ASWB after NYSED’s eligibility notice.
- Request accommodations from ASWB directly if you need them.
- If you don’t pass, ASWB requires 90 days before your next attempt.
Licensed as an LMSW
NYSED, then you · Varies; NYSED publishes no timeline · Nothing more now
Issuance of your LMSW license and first registration.
- Look up your license on NYSED’s verification page.
Supervised experience
Complete 12 credits of clinical coursework, if your MSW didn’t include them
You · A semester or two · Tuition
12 semester hours of clinical coursework covering diagnosis and assessment, clinical treatment, and practice with general and special populations, from an acceptable graduate social work program. May be completed after the MSW. Continuing education does not count.
- Check your transcript against the three required areas.
- Take any missing courses at a registered graduate program.
Line up a qualified supervisor and setting
You and your employer · Before you start counting · Optional Form 6: $10
Your supervisor must be an NY LCSW, a psychologist qualified in psychotherapy, or a psychiatrist who is an ABPN diplomate, licensed before supervising you, with no family relationship. The setting must be authorized to provide clinical social work. You may submit a supervision plan on Form 6 ($10) for review first.
- Your supervisor must be employed by your employer; third-party supervision needs a written agreement between the employer, supervisor and you.
- Consider Form 6: NYSED reviews your supervisor and setting before you start.
Appendix A (opens in a new tab)Form 6 (PDF, optional) (opens in a new tab)
Complete your supervised clinical experience
You and your supervisor · At least 36 months, no more than 6 years · Supervision is your employer’s responsibility
At least 2,000 client-contact hours in diagnosis, psychotherapy and assessment-based treatment planning, with at least 100 hours of face-to-face individual or group supervision (which may be by secure video, 8 NYCRR 74.6), over at least 36 months within a continuous period of no more than six years. The 36 months cannot be shortened.
- Log each week: client contact and supervision.
- Your supervisor keeps the weekly psychotherapy log; confirming weeks here keeps your record matching theirs.
- Supervision is face-to-face, individual or group, spread across the whole period; secure video counts as face-to-face (8 NYCRR 74.6).
The LCSW application
Apply for your LCSW and pay the fee
You · About 40 minutes · $294 for licensure and first registration
A new Form 1 for the LCSW, with the $294 fee.
- Have your school send Form 2 again if NYSED asks, including your clinical coursework.
- NYSED asks for your child abuse training again when you apply for the LCSW. Mandated reporters must complete its updated curriculum by November 17, 2026; if you took the training between November 1, 2022 and August 31, 2025, a short (15-minute) addendum brings you up to date.
Apply online (Form 1) (opens in a new tab)All LCSW forms (opens in a new tab)Free child abuse course (OCFS) (opens in a new tab)
Form 4 and each supervisor’s Form 4B
You, then each supervisor · About 10 minutes for you, weeks for them · Nothing
Form 4 lists each supervised experience. Each supervisor completes Form 4B and sends it directly to NYSED with the setting’s documentation. If the experience was in another jurisdiction, that supervisor also submits Form 4Q so NYSED can review their qualifications.
- File Form 4 listing each supervisor, setting, dates and hours.
- Send each supervisor Form 4B with your section completed and a copy of Appendix A.
- If a supervisor has passed away, a licensed colleague who is a qualified supervisor may attest.
Form 4 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Form 4B (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Appendix A (opens in a new tab)
Wait for NYSED to approve your experience
NYSED · Varies; NYSED publishes no timeline · Nothing
NYSED must approve your education and experience before you may register for the Clinical exam. Once everything except the exam is met, you may apply for an LCSW limited permit: one year, not renewable, under an LCSW.
- If you want to practice as an LCSW under supervision while you prepare, apply for the LCSW limited permit ($70).
The Clinical exam
Pass the ASWB Clinical exam
You, then ASWB · One sitting · $260, paid to ASWB
The ASWB Clinical examination, registered directly with ASWB after NYSED’s approval. ASWB sends your score to NYSED.
- Register with ASWB after NYSED’s eligibility notice.
- If you don’t pass, ASWB requires 90 days before your next attempt.
Licensed as an LCSW
Licensed as an LCSW
NYSED, then you · Varies; NYSED publishes no timeline · Nothing more now
Issuance of your LCSW license and first registration.
- Check NYSED’s social work continuing-education rules for your registration.
Form 4B, step by step: NYSED Form 4B, explained.
Questions people ask
How many hours do you need for the LCSW in New York?
At least 2,000 client-contact hours in diagnosis, psychotherapy and assessment-based treatment planning, with at least 100 hours of face-to-face individual or group supervision (which may be by secure video, 8 NYCRR 74.6), over at least 36 months within a continuous period of no more than six years. The 36 months cannot be shortened.
Who can supervise LCSW hours in New York?
Your supervisor must be an NY LCSW, a psychologist qualified in psychotherapy, or a psychiatrist who is an ABPN diplomate, licensed before supervising you, with no family relationship. The setting must be authorized to provide clinical social work. You may submit a supervision plan on Form 6 ($10) for review first.
Does supervision by video count?
Yes. Face-to-face supervision may be by secure video (8 NYCRR 74.6), individual or group.
Do I need clinical coursework?
12 semester hours of clinical coursework covering diagnosis and assessment, clinical treatment, and practice with general and special populations, from an acceptable graduate social work program. May be completed after the MSW. Continuing education does not count.
How long does it take to go from LMSW to LCSW?
At least 36 months of supervised experience, then NYSED’s review of your application and the Clinical exam. NYSED publishes no timeline for its reviews.
Track it all in one place
Licensure Hours keeps your weekly hours, gets them confirmed by your supervisor with a link, fills in Form 4B from your record, and walks you through every step above. Free for 30 days, no card.