West Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) License Requirements
What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.
Provides mental health counseling. Requires MSW degree and clinical hours.
What the West Virginia data shows for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)s
To practice as a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) in West Virginia, the state licensing board requires 3,284 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 West Virginia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Master of Social Work (MSW)".
Budget $125 to get started, plus $110 at each renewal 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.
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 West Virginia
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Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in West Virginia? ▼
How do I get certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in West Virginia? ▼
Can I transfer my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license to West Virginia from another state? ▼
Does West Virginia require a background check for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing? ▼
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in West Virginia? ▼
Related Guides
What to do with this licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) license
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in West Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)-wide, 50-state comparison.
- See how West Virginia'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 West Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. West Virginia overview
Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the West Virginia 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.