California Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in CA
Updated January 14, 2025
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A California social work license requires a master's degree, as the state does not license bachelor's degree-holders. However, earning a master of social work (MSW) can be worth the effort. California social workers rank among the highest paid in the United States.
Explore this guide for information about the state's MSW programs and how to become licensed.
Popular Online MSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
California Social Work Licensing Requirements
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences oversees social work licensing. The board offers two types of credentials: associate clinical social worker (ACSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Both licenses require a master of social work (MSW).
This section covers the training, experience, and examination requirements you need to complete for social worker licensure. You also learn about career paths and scopes of practice for each license type.
Associate Clinical Social Worker
ACSWs work under the supervision of LCSWs or comparable mental health professionals to complete the required training to become LCSWs themselves. ACSWs can practice social work while supervised at a private practice, agency, or organization. They can only perform mental health and related services as employees or volunteers. ACSWs cannot work independently or bill clients directly.
California licensure requirements for an ACSW include:
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work
- 66 hours (81 hours for out-of-state applicants) of relevant coursework and/or applied experience
- Completion of 12-hour California Law and Ethics course for out-of-state/country applicants and applicants who graduated on or before December 31, 2007
- Passing score on the California Law and Ethics Exam
- At least 3,000 total supervised hours over 104 weeks
- BBS ACSW registration completion
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSWs have completed their supervised training and passed the national clinical-level examination needed for full licensure. They can work independently in private practice or other employment settings and bill clients directly. They can also open their own practice.
LCSWs help individuals, families, and groups by providing clinical social work services, such as counseling and non-medical applied psychotherapy. In addition, LCSWs can offer referrals to other social work services, help communities organize to improve systems, and conduct research.
California licensure requirements for an LCSW include:
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work
- 66 hours (81 hours for out-of-state applicants) of relevant coursework and/or applied experience
- Completion of 12-hour California Law and Ethics course for out-of-state/country applicants and applicants who graduated on/before December 31, 2007
- Passing score on the California Law and Ethics Exam
- Minimum 3,000 hours of experience, over 104 weeks (minimum)
- Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Exam
- BBS LCSW licensure application completion
Social Work License Reciprocity in California
California does not maintain formal ACSW license reciprocity with other states. Out-of-state applicants who hold an MSW can apply for their ACSW credentials through the same process as in-state candidates.
Out-of-state LCSWs can earn their California social work license through reciprocity. The board offers two application pathways.
Path A, licensure by credential, requires:
-
An MSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program -
A current, active, unrestricted out-of-state LCSW license held for at least two years -
LCSW licensure at the highest level for independent practice offered by the state
Path B, licensure by education and experience, applies to applicants who:
-
Hold an LCSW license but do not meet all Path A requirements OR -
Earned an MSW outside California but have not registered as a California ACSW
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in California
ACSWs renew credentials annually. You must complete three hours of California law and ethics education and pass the law and ethics exam. An additional 12 hours of California law and ethics education are required if you earned your MSW in a state other than California.
LCSWs renew every two years. Renewal requires 36 continuing education (CE) hours, including six hours of ethics. The CE sources must be from board-accepted providers. Acceptable CE includes relevant courses from accredited colleges, universities, and board-recognized organizations. The board accepts both in-person and online courses.
Social Work Programs in California
The following alphabetical directory lists CSWE-accredited social work programs in California. To help you compare school options, directories include campus location, in-person or online availability, part-time or full-time enrollment options, and in-state tuition for the 2024-2025 school year. Visit the university websites linked in the first column to explore specific degrees in greater detail.
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2024 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant International University | Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $793 per credit hour |
| Azusa Pacific University Azusa, San Bernardino |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $795 per credit hour |
| Cal Poly Humboldt Arcata |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $9,774 per year (including fees) |
| California Baptist University Riverside |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Advanced Standing | $798 per credit hour |
| California State University, Bakersfield Bakersfield, Lancaster |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $9,610 per year full time |
| California State University, Chico Chico |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $3,404 per semester (0-6 credits), $5,000 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| California State University, East Bay Hayward |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time | $2,958 per semester (0-6 credits), $4,554 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| California State University, Fullerton Fullerton, Irvine |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $2,903 per semester (0-6 credits), $4,499 per semester (7+ credits) |
| California State University, Long Beach Long Beach, Ventura, Santa Rosa |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (7+ credits) |
| California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $8,684 per year full time |
| California State University, Monterey Bay Seaside |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| California State University, Northridge Northridge |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| California State University, Sacramento Sacramento |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| California State University, San Marcos San Marcos |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | On campus: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits); Online: $530 per credit hour |
| California State University, Stanislaus Turlock |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time | $7,608 per year |
| Fresno State University Fresno |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (7+ credits) |
| Loma Linda University San Bernardino |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | On campus: $39,885-$41,135 per year; Online: $19,120-$25,797 per year (including fees) |
| National University | Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $776 per credit hour |
| Pacific Oaks College | Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $1,210 per credit hour |
| San Diego State University San Diego, Calexico |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $9,022-$10,252 per year (including fees) |
| San Francisco State University San Francisco |
On Campus | Full Time | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| San Jose State University San Jose |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) |
| University of California Berkeley Berkeley |
On Campus | Full Time | $14,797 per semester |
| University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles |
On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $9,964 per quarter (including fees) |
| University of Massachusetts Global | Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $730 per credit hour |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles, San Diego |
On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $2,201 per unit part time (1-14 units), $33,019 flat rate (15-18 units) |
| University of the Pacific Sacramento |
On Campus, Hybrid | Full Time, Advanced Standing | $1,025 per credit hour |
California Social Worker Career and Salary Information
According to May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, California social workers' average annual salaries exceed the national average across all tracked specializations.
California is the top-paying state for healthcare social workers and ranks second for mental health and substance use social workers. For child, family, and school social workers, four Northern California cities rank among the top ten highest-paying metropolitan areas.
In addition to high salaries, Projections Central's long-term data (2022-2032) for California project growth between 8.9% for “all other” social workers and 18.5% for mental health and substance use social workers.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $69,340 | $31.66 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $93,200 | $43.17 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $81,330 | $34.35 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $72,320 | $30.61 |
Social Work Associations in California
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), California Chapter: The California chapter of the NASW offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming California conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- The California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW): This association promotes the development of school social work in the state and works to facilitate professional growth and development opportunities for school social workers to empower children and families in the state's school systems.
- The California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW): This organization promotes the highest level of education for California's clinical social workers by offering professional development opportunities, advocating for the field, and connecting members.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Social Work
What degree do you need to be a social worker in California?
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) in California need a master of social work earned at a school accredited by the Council for Social Work Education. Non-clinical, unlicensed social workers may only need a bachelor's degree in social work.
Does California require social workers to be licensed?
Not all social workers in California need to be licensed. However, those who want to provide clinical social work services and psychotherapy independently must hold a licensed clinical social worker credential.
How much do social workers in California make?
California social workers earn salaries that rank among the highest nationwide. Average annual wages range from $69,340 for child, family, and school social workers to $93,200 for healthcare social workers.
How long does it take to become a social worker in California?
Becoming a licensed social worker in California can take 7-9 years. You must first earn a four-year bachelor's degree. If your bachelor's is not in social work, you'll spend two years completing a master's degree. If you obtain a bachelor of social work, you may qualify for a one-year advanced standing MSW. After graduation, you can log at least two more years gaining the required 3,000 hours of supervised training.