Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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

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

Pennsylvania sets the entry bar for licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s at 3,568 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 Pennsylvania's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".

Budget $174 to get started, plus $146 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. 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

F
Licensing Ease Score
26/100
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · Pennsylvania

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
3,568 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$174
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$73/yr
$146 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 Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Master of Social Work (MSW)
3,568 hours
Exam Requirement
ASWB Clinical Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$174
Renewal Fee
$146
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 Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania? ▼
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for 3568 education/training hours, a passing score on ASWB Clinical Exam, and a $174 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania? ▼
To become a licensed licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in Pennsylvania, you must meet the state's requirements including 3568 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Pennsylvania licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
For licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)s, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Social Work Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Pennsylvania licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) licensing process in Pennsylvania. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania ties continued licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $146 renewal fee.

Related Guides

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

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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.