Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides mental health counseling. Requires MSW degree and clinical hours.

What the District of Columbia data shows for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)s

District of Columbia sets the entry bar for licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s at 3,573 training hours and a passing score on ASWB Clinical Exam, with 2 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under District of Columbia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".

Budget $175 to get started, plus $147 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s, the reciprocity picture is: Social Work Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
26/100
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · District of Columbia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,573 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$175
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$74/yr
$147 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Master of Social Work (MSW)
3,573 hours
Exam Requirement
ASWB Clinical Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$175
Renewal Fee
$147
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia's requirements cover 3573 hours of education or training, the ASWB Clinical Exam exam, and an initial fee of $175. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in District of Columbia? ▼
To become a licensed licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in District of Columbia, you must meet the state's requirements including 3573 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the District of Columbia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to District of Columbia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s: Social Work Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the District of Columbia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) licensing in District of Columbia. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in District of Columbia? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in District of Columbia, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $147.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in District of Columbia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.