North Carolina 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 North Carolina data shows for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)s
To practice as a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in North Carolina, the state licensing board requires 3,446 documented education or training hours, a passing score on ASWB Clinical Exam, and 2 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under North Carolina's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".
The initial price tag is $153, and renewal costs $131 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.
On reciprocity, licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s should know: 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 North Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina? ▼
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina? ▼
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
Does North Carolina require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing? ▼
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina? ▼
Related Guides
What to do with this licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)-wide, 50-state comparison.
- See how North Carolina'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 North Carolina's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. North Carolina overview
Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Carolina 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.