Missouri Social Work License Requirements
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- Missouri offers four levels of social work licenses, each with different requirements.
- Missouri issues the licensed bachelor social worker to bachelor-degree holders.
- A master’s in social work is required for advanced clinical and non-clinical licenses.
With a population of just over six million, Missouri offers a variety of social work career opportunities in both urban and rural areas. You can become a licensed social worker in Missouri with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The steps for social work licensure differ for each licensure level. Learn how to get a social work license in Missouri, including education and examination requirements.
Missouri State Board of Social Work
Each state establishes requirements for social work licensure. In Missouri, the Committee for Social Workers, administered by the Missouri Division of Professional Registration, has jurisdiction over the social work profession in the state. The Committee for Social Work evaluates and issues license applications and enforces professional standards.
Popular Online MSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Missouri Social Work Education Requirements
You need a master's in social work (MSW) for all Missouri social worker licenses except the licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW), which you may pursue after completing a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree.
Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field
A bachelor’s degree in a field related to social work, such as psychology, sociology, or counseling, can lead to entry-level, non-clinical social work jobs such as caseworkers or mental health assistants. A bachelor's degree takes four years if you attend full-time.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree who want to become licensed social workers may enroll in an MSW program. The MSW usually requires non-social work applicants to meet specific prerequisites, including statistics and research methods courses.
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW)
To become an LBSW in Missouri, you must hold a BSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A BSW also prepares you for graduate work in the field. The BSW curriculum consists of coursework in human behavior, social welfare and public policy, community organizing, and advocacy. All BSW programs, whether in-person or online, include a field experience requirement.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
An MSW prepares you for advanced licensed social work positions as an LMSW, LCSW, or LAMSW. The MSW curriculum covers social work theories and research methodology, clinical practice, and field experiences.
Some programs offer specializations in mental health, addiction and substance abuse, or trauma practice. MSW programs often offer advanced standing to BSW-holders, enabling them to finish their master’s in one year, compared to two years for those entering with a non-social work bachelor's degree.
Requirements for Initial Missouri Social Work Licensure
A BSW is the minimum educational requirement for the Missouri LBSW credential, which allows you to practice in non-clinical roles with supervision. If you want to practice independently in clinical and administrative roles, you need an MSW to qualify for the LMSW, LCSW, and LAMSW designations.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
With an LBSW license, you can practice general, non-clinical social work under the supervision of a more advanced social worker. After completing 3,000 hours of supervised experience within 24-48 months, you may request permission from the Committee for Social Workers to practice independently.
Becoming an LBSW in Missouri requires the following steps:
- Earn a CSWE-accredited BSW degree.
- Submit an application, a $70 application fee, and official college transcripts.
- Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
- Pass the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) bachelor’s examination (requires $230 exam fee).
Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW)
Once you earn an LMSW license, you can offer general social work services independently. You may also complete more advanced practice under supervision and apply these experience hours towards the LAMSW or LCSW credential.
Becoming an LMSW requires the following steps:
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW degree.
- Submit an application, $70 application fee, and official MSW transcripts.
- Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
- Pass the ASWB's master's examination (requires $230 exam fee).
Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (LAMSW)
If you are interested in advanced macro-level social work practice, the LAMSW license allows you to work independently in policy development and community organizations.
The first step to earning the LAMSW license is to complete the LMSW requirements. LAMSWs can provide clinical services under the supervision of an approved LAMSW or LCSW.
You must complete the following steps to earn the LAMSW credential:
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW degree.
- Obtain an LMSW license.
- Submit an application, $70 application fee, official transcripts, and registration of supervision form.
- Complete 3,000 hours of supervised macro-level social work experience within 24-48 months.
- Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
- Pass the ASWB advanced generalist examination (requires $260 exam fee).
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
If you intend to provide independent clinical and administrative social work services in Missouri, you must have a LCSW license. The first step to LCSW licensure is to earn the LMSW credential.
Complete the following steps for LCSW licensure in Missouri:
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW or doctorate in social work degree.
- Obtain a LMSW license.
- Submit an application, $70 application fee, official transcripts, and registration of supervision form.
- Complete 3,000 hours of supervised macro-level social work experience within 24-48 months.
- Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
- Pass the ASWB clinical examination (requires $260 exam fee).
Transferring Your Social Work License to Missouri
The licensure by reciprocity process enables licensed social workers from another state to transfer their license without retaking the ASWB exam or repeating other requirements. Missouri offers reciprocity to social workers with valid licenses from another state for one year or more.
The application, which requires a $75 fee, must include fingerprints for a criminal background check, a completed license verification form from the state which issued the license, and ASWB exam scores. You must also supply proof of at least two hours of suicide training.
How to Maintain Your Social Work License in Missouri
Missouri requires licensed social workers to renew their licenses every two years. Submit the renewal fee of $65 by check or money order only.
Each renewal cycle requires 30 continuing education units (CEUs), which can include:
- In-person classes
- Live interactive seminars
- Self-study coursework
The courses must include three hours of ethics and two hours of suicide training. The total number of CEUs may include up to 15 hours of self-study coursework and employer-provided continuing education training.
You may also earn CEUs through self-directed activities such as publishing academic articles or books or giving seminars, workshops, or conference presentations.
The state accepts CEUs from several approved providers, including the National Association of Social Workers, social service agencies and related organizations, professional associations in human services, and accredited colleges and universities.
Maintain records of all continuing education activities you report on your renewal form for four years following the license renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work in Missouri
Do social workers need to be licensed in Missouri?
You must hold a valid state-issued license to use the social worker title in Missouri. Missouri social work requirements limit LBSWs to general non-clinical practice. More advanced social work positions like LMSWs, LAMSWs, and LCSWs require a master's degree and additional fieldwork requirements.
What degree do you need to become a licensed social worker in Missouri?
A BSW is the minimum educational requirement for Missouri social work licensure as an LBSW. An MSW is required for clinical and administrative social work licenses to practice as LMSWs, LAMSWs, and LCSWs.
What are the continuing education requirements for social workers in Missouri?
Social workers in Missouri must complete 30 hours of continuing education requirements every two years to maintain their licenses. These continuing education courses must include three hours in ethics and two hours in suicide training.
Is social work in demand in Missouri?
Projections Central anticipates over 17,000 social work openings in Missouri from 2020-2030. The agency projects a 5% increase in child, family and school social work and healthcare social work positions and a 7.5% increase in for mental health and substance abuse social work jobs.
