Washington 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 Washington data shows for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)s
Becoming a licensed licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in Washington means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,811 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. Washington regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".
The initial price tag is $217, and renewal costs $176 every 2 years. 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 Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Washington? ▼
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Washington? ▼
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to Washington from another state? ▼
Does Washington require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing? ▼
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Washington? ▼
Related Guides
What to do with this licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Washington, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)-wide, 50-state comparison.
- See how Washington'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 Washington's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Washington overview
Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington 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.