2026 data New Hampshire board official source

New Hampshire Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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

What the New Hampshire data shows for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)s

Becoming a licensed licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in New Hampshire means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,000 training hours, a passing score on ASWB Clinical Exam, and 2 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. New Hampshire regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".

Upfront cost is $75, with renewal running $75 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
42/100
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · New Hampshire

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
3,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$38/yr
$75 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 New Hampshire

Education / Training Hours
Master of Social Work (MSW)
3,000 hours
Exam Requirement
ASWB Clinical Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
$75
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Hampshire licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's requirements cover 3000 hours of education or training, the ASWB Clinical Exam exam, and an initial fee of $75. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire licenses licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s who complete its requirements (3000 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New Hampshire licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to New Hampshire from another state?
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Social Work Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New Hampshire licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New Hampshire require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing?
Yes, New Hampshire requires a criminal background check as part of the licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Hampshire?
Licensed licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s in New Hampshire must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $75.

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

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire 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.