Social Work License Requirements in Arizona
- Licensure Requirements
- How Long Does it Take?
- Out-of-State Licensing
- Licensing Renewal
- Salary Expectations
- Professional Organizations
- FAQ
Social workers in Arizona can hold three different license types: licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Each licensure type comprises different educational, exam, and scope of practice standards, and emerging Arizona social workers sometimes find these differences confusing. This career guide explains LCSW requirements in Arizona, along with the standards you must meet to earn your LBSW or LMSW license.
Arizona Social Work Licensure Requirements
The Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) administers social work licensure in the Grand Canyon State. To obtain your license, you must meet the specific requirements associated with the appropriate licensure level.
Each level carries different educational requirements. You need a bachelor’s degree in social work to get an LBSW license. LMSW licensure requires a social work master’s degree, while LCSW requirements in Arizona include either a master’s degree or a doctorate in social work.
The following categorized subsections explain further.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
Arizona licensure requirements for an LBSW include:
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelors, masters, advanced generalist, or clinical exam
LBSWs are entry-level licensed social workers. They primarily provide general, non-clinical social work services to clients. Examples of non-clinical social work activities include case management, conflict resolution, and connecting clients with career, education, and rehabilitation services
Unlike higher-level license holders, LBSWs cannot provide non-clinical services independently. LBSWs may also administer clinical social work services, such as individual counseling, but only under the direct supervision of an LCSW.
Licensed Master Social Worker
Arizona licensure requirements for an LMSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB masters, advanced generalist, or clinical exam
LMSWs require a higher level of academic training to meet licensing standards, giving them the ability to perform non-clinical social work services independently. This means they can work without a licensed supervisor.
Like LBSWs, LMSWs can also perform clinical social work services under the direct supervision of an LCSW.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Arizona licensure requirements for an LCSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Documentation of 3,200 hours of clinical social work experience, including at least 1,600 hours of client contact psychotherapy, and at least 100 hours clinical supervision hours
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
As a first step to meeting LCSW requirements in Arizona, you must obtain an LMSW license. LCSW licensure is exclusively available to social work professionals who have also worked as an LMSW.
LCSWs can perform all duties of LBSWs and LMSWs independently. They may also provide clinical social work services without supervision, since they clock thousands of supervised clinical experience hours to qualify for the license.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Social Worker in Arizona?
It takes a minimum of four years to become a licensed social worker in Arizona. Entry-level LBSWs need a four-year bachelor’s degree. More advanced social work careers, including LMSW and LCSW, require a master’s degree in social work. A master’s degree generally takes between one and three years, depending on whether you attend as a part-time, full-time, or advanced-standing student.
If you plan to become an LCSW, allow an additional year to complete required postgraduate experience prior to licensure.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Arizona
You can qualify for an Arizona social work license by endorsement if you have held a comparable license in another state for at least one year.
If you have held your license for more than one year but less than three years, you must be an Arizona resident to transfer your license. State residency requirements are waived for social workers with more than three years of licensing history.
If you do not meet these requirements, you must obtain a new Arizona social work license by examination.
Arizona is also a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact, an interstate organization seeking to create a new licensing pathway to multi-state social work practice. The compact holds activation status and seeks to begin issuing multi-state licenses in 2025 or 2026.
How to Renew a Social Work License in Arizona
LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW requirements in Arizona all include two-year license renewal cycles. If you hold multiple license types, you can ask the AZBBHE to synchronize their expiry dates so you can renew all your licenses simultaneously.
To renew your license, you must:
- Submit a signed renewal application form
- Complete at least 30 clock hours of continuing education (CE) during the two-year licensing period
- Pay a renewal fee of $325 for your primary area of licensure and $163 for each additional area
You may undergo an AZBBHE continuing education audit when you apply for your license renewal. As such, you must maintain verifiable documentation of all CE programs you complete.
Salary Expectations for Social Workers in Arizona
Social work careers should increase exponentially in the years ahead. Projections Central lists the following long-term growth projections for social workers in Arizona, from 2022-32:
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers: +13.9%
- Healthcare Social Workers: +26.2%
- Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers: +31.2%
- Social Workers, All Other: +12.3%
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2023, pay rates for social workers in Arizona generally fall below national averages. However, some social work specializations offer higher average pay rates than others. The following table provides a detailed breakdown based on BLS data from May 2023.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $23.93 | $49,770 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $31.78 | $66,110 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $22.94 | $47,710 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $32.01 | $66,580 |
Professional Organizations for Social Workers in Arizona
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Arizona Chapter
This organization promotes the quality and effectiveness of social work in the state. The NASW also offers information about conferences, professional development, and continuing education opportunities.
School Social Work Association of Arizona (SSWAA)
The SSWAA provides an avenue for communication and collaboration amongst social workers who work in various educational settings. The organization also informs members of continuing education opportunities and available grants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Licensure
Arizona issues three types of social work licenses: LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW. These licensing levels reflect differing educational and training requirements. They also have variable practice scopes, with LBSWs having the least independence and LCSWs having the most.
