Florida Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in FL
If you find the social work licensing process daunting, you are not alone. In Florida, social workers need to meet strict licensure requirements — a combination of education, experience, and examination. The state also offers multiple social work licenses, each with unique requirements and limitations.
Florida offers three licensure levels for social workers, managed by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. Explore social work licensing requirements and careers in Florida.
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Florida Social Work Licensing Requirements
Florida offers three licensure levels for social workers: certified master social worker (CMSW), registered clinical social worker intern (RCSW-I), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
While the three levels differ in their practice capabilities and requirements, all call for an accredited master’s in social work (MSW) at minimum. Below, we explore the specific requirements for each license in more detail.
Certified Master Social Worker
The CMSW is Florida’s administrative credential, allowing you to work with social services and programs but not provide clinical services. CMSW licensure can lead to careers in community services, case management, and program management. These social workers can conduct needs assessments or connect people in need with the appropriate services.
A CMSW license can help you enter the social and community services field or advance your career, giving you more professional credibility and recognition within the industry.
Florida licensure requirements for CMSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Three years of experience in social work, including two years of post-master’s experience supervised by a CMSW or an LCSW
- Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) advanced generalist exam
Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
The RCSW-I license is designed for aspiring social workers as they complete their post-master’s clinical experience requirements.
An RCSW-I can provide clinical, counseling and psychotherapy services only while under supervision.
The license is valid for up to five years but cannot be renewed. An RCSW-I must be actively pursuing clinical licensure requirements.
Florida licensure requirements for RCSW-I include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- 24 credits in theory of human behavior and clinical practice methods, including at least one course in psychopathology
- Verification of a supervised field placement completed during the master’s program
- Letter from a board-approved supervisor who has agreed to provide supervision to the intern applicant
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
The LCSW credential goes to professionals who have met the education, experience, and examination requirements for clinical social workers in Florida.
LCSWs can evaluate, diagnose, counsel, and treat clients with various behavioral or mental health concerns and conditions.
In Florida, LCSWs can work as:
- Clinical therapists
- Counselors
- Community social workers
- Consultants
- Social work supervisors, when they have the appropriate experience
Florida licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- 24 credits in theory of human behavior and clinical practice methods, including at least one course in psychopathology
- Verification of a supervised field placement completed during the master’s program
- Verification of two years of post-masters experience supervised by an LCSW, including 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Florida
Florida does not provide licensing reciprocity. This means it does not accept licensed social workers from other states.
However, out-of-state licensed social workers can apply for licensure by endorsement, which means they do not have to retake a licensing exam. To qualify, they must have held a license for at least three of the past five years and meet Florida’s licensure requirements.
Only LCSWs can apply for licensure by endorsement, and the application must include a complete criminal, discipline, health, education, and examination history.
LCSWS must complete the appropriate courses in Florida laws and rules and a three-hour education course on HIV and AIDS.
Any social worker not qualifying for endorsement must pursue licensure by examination.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Florida
Once you become an LCSW or a CMSW in Florida, you need to renew your license every two years. To do so, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education, including:
- 25 hours in general education, which includes domestic violence, laws and rules, and qualified supervisor training
- 2 hours in medical errors
- 3 hours in ethics, boundaries, or telehealth
You also need to pay the license renewal fees:
- LCSW: $120 or $225 if the license has lapsed for less than 120 days
- CMSW: $155 or $260 if the license has lapsed for less than 120 days
Social Work Programs in Florida
The following alphabetical directory lists CSWE-accredited social work programs in Florida. 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. This directory is from 2023. Visit the university websites linked in the first column to explore specific degrees in greater detail.
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2023 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University Miami Shores | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time | $16,400 estimated per year |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee | On Campus | Full Time | $23,062 estimated per year |
| Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $203 per credit hou |
| Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers | On Campus | Full Time | $204 per credit hour |
| Florida International University Miami | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $6,757 estimated per year, not including room and board |
| Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time | $524 per credit hour |
| Florida State University Panama City, Tallahassee | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $216 per credit hour |
| Saint Leo University Saint Leo, Spring Hill, or Tampa | On Campus, Hybrid | Full Time, Weekend and Evening | $24,990 per year (tuition only) |
| Southeastern University Lakeland | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $15,216 per semester (12-17 credits) |
| University of Central Florida Orlando | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $105 per credit hour |
| University of North Florida Jacksonville | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $213 per credit hour |
| University of South Florida Tampa, Sarasota-Manatee | On Campus, Online | Full Time | $211 per credit hour |
| University of West Florida Pensacola | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $212 per credit hour |
| Warner University Lake Wales | On Campus | Full Time | $800 per credit hour or $13,600 per semester |
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2023 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ana G. Mendez University Orlando, Tampa, Miami Lakes | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $500 per credit hour |
| Barry University Miami Shores, West Palm Beach | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends and Evenings | $1,020 per credit hour |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $3,651 per semester |
| Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton | On Campus, Hybrid | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $372 per credit hour |
| Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends and Evenings | $373 per credit hour |
| Florida International University Miami | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $4,101 per semester |
| Florida State University Panama City, Tallahassee | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $479 per credit hour |
| Saint Leo University Saint Leo | Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $575 per credit hour |
| Southeastern University Lakeland | On Campus | Full Time, Advanced Standing | $515 per credit hour |
| University of Central Florida Orlando | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $288 per credit hour |
| University of North Florida Jacksonville | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $494 per credit hour |
| University of South Florida Tampa, Sarasota | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $431 per credit hour |
| University of West Florida Pensacola | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $295 per credit hour |
Florida Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Licensed social workers in Florida earn average annual salaries ranging from about $50,000 to $63,000, depending on their specialization. They can specialize in working with children and families or mental health and substance use clients. Social workers often work in private clinics, healthcare centers, or community services and programs.
Diverse opportunities and growing demand create a strong outlook for Florida’s social workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 12.9% growth between 2022 and 2032 for all social worker specialties in Florida, which is significantly faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
While most social workers in Florida make below the average annual salary of $68,800 for social workers nationwide per BLS statistics, the state’s cost of living is around the national average.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,990 | $30.29 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $55,540 | $26.70 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $59,390 | $28.55 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Social Work
Florida has three levels of social work licensure: LCSW, RCSW-I, and CMSW. An LCSW can provide unsupervised clinical services, an RCSW-I can provide clinical services while under supervision, and a CMSW can work on the administrative side.
