Social Work Licensure & Disclosure Information

The Ph.D, Masters and Online Masters in Social Work are authorized to operate in all states that participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

There are typically three levels of licensure for Social Work. These include a bachelor’s level license, a master’s level license and a clinical license. The difference between a master’s level license and clinical license is typically work experience. In some states, obtaining a doctorate in social work will reduce the number of hours needed in post-graduate work experience for clinical licensure. States may use different names for these licenses. Additionally, some states do not recognize every level of license. Students should research their state website regarding social work licensure to determine which level of licensure they would like to pursue and whether that state regulates licensure at that level.

Sacred Heart University has determined that the degree program’s curriculum meets state education requirements for all states as provided on the State Authorization, Disclosures & Student Complaints webpage:

  • California only licenses at the clinical level; students will register as an Associate Clinical Social Worker when they have completed their coursework. Students must have a graduate degree to be licensed. As part of the social work programs, California students will be required to take trainings or extra coursework in: spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection and intervention; human sexuality; and child abuse assessment.
  • Colorado only licenses at the master’s and clinical level but students may still use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree.
  • Florida will certify a student at the master’s level and license a student at the clinical level, but students may use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree. To obtain licensure, students must complete post-graduate work experience.
  • Georgia only licenses at the master’s and clinical level, but students may use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree.
  • Illinois licenses at the master’s and clinical level and students may not use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree. Students in Illinois will want to pursue a graduate degree to be licensed in Illinois.
  • New Mexico requires that students complete, in addition to their degree, either a three-credit course, a board approved course or an examination in New Mexico cultures.
  • New York only licenses at the master’s and clinical level and students may not use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree. Students in New York will want to pursue a graduate degree to be licensed in New York.
  • Rhode Island only licenses at the clinical level and students may not use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree. Students in Rhode Island will want to pursue a graduate degree to be licensed in Rhode Island. To obtain licensure, students must complete post-graduate work experience.
  • Vermont only licenses at the master’s and clinical level and students may not use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree. Students in Vermont will want to pursue a graduate degree to be licensed in Vermont.
  • Washington only licenses at the master’s and clinical level and students may not use the title “social worker” with only a bachelor’s degree. Students in Washington will want to pursue a graduate degree to be licensed in Washington.

Prospective students are also encouraged to review Sacred Heart University’s Disclosures & Student Complaint Process for additional information.

State Social Work Licensure

In order to practice clinical social work in CT* at the MSW level, MSW graduates must take the LMSW (licensed master of social work) exam immediately upon graduation or before practicing in the field. Graduates cannot sit for the LMSW exam unless they have graduated from a CSWE-accredited MSW program. If graduates intend to practice clinical social work, they need supervised clinical hours to sit for the LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), but cannot begin to accrue the hours until they have the LMSW. 

*Licensure regulations vary by state. Students who plan to practice clinical social work in another state are encouraged to become familiar with that state’s licensing regulations. It is the responsibility of the student, or graduate, to fully understand and comply with licensing requirements in the state in which they intend to practice.