Minnesota Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) License Requirements
Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.
Provides mental health counseling. Requires MSW degree and clinical hours.
What the Minnesota data shows for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)s
Minnesota sets the entry bar for licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s at 3,351 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 Minnesota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".
Upfront cost is $136, with renewal running $119 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
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.
Licensing Requirements in Minnesota
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Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Minnesota? ▼
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Minnesota? ▼
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to Minnesota from another state? ▼
Does Minnesota require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing? ▼
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Minnesota? ▼
Related Guides
What to do with this licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Minnesota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)-wide, 50-state comparison.
- See how Minnesota's licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in every state
- Confirm whether your out-of-state licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
- See how Minnesota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Minnesota overview
Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Minnesota 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.