Massachusetts Social Work Licensing Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in MA
Massachusetts offers four levels of social worker licensing with varying requirements. Learn about how to earn a social worker license in MA, including licensing levels and the requirements. Use this guide to plan your social work career in Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers (BRSW) is a government agency that administers social work licensing in the state. Under the board’s rules, individuals with relevant associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees have a path to initial licensure.
Massachusetts issues four types of social work licenses:
- Licensed social work associate (LSWA)
- Licensed social worker (LSW)
- Licensed certified social worker (LCSW)
- Licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW)
Discover the differences between these license levels and the varying requirements for obtaining each license type.
Licensed Social Work Associate
The LSWA designation is an entry-level credential. Under MA’s guidelines, LSWAs may document personal information from individuals seeking services, guide clients to appropriate assistance organizations and resources, and collect data for community-level social service research.
LSWAs must perform their duties under the supervision of a social work professional licensed at one of the three higher levels (LSW, LCSW, or LICSW). Supervision must include at least one face-to-face hour of direct contact per 35 work hours.
Massachusetts licensure requirements for an LSWA include:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field, associate degree in a relevant field (social work, human services, psychology, etc.), or supervisory reference documenting a minimum of four years of social work experience
- Three professional references, including at least one from an LICSW or LCSW
- Passing score on the ASWB associate exam
Licensed Social Worker
There are multiple pathways to LSW licensure, and Massachusetts offers options for various levels of education and experience. As a first step, familiarize yourself with the scope of practice standards that apply to this licensing level.
LSWs may perform all the same duties as LSWAs. They can also provide nonclinical case management and consultation services, supervise nonclinical LSWs and LSWAs, and offer non-clinical social work services under the direct supervision of an LCSW or LICSW. Supervision must include at least one face-to-face hour per 35 work hours.
Massachusetts licensure requirements for an LSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field
- Three professional references, including at least one from an LICSW or LCSW (bachelor of social work (BSW)-holders only)
- One field placement supervisory reference documenting placement supervision completed during a CSWE-accredited BSW program (non-BSW-holders only)
- One qualified supervisory reference documenting 3,500 social work experience hours and 100 individual face-to-face supervision hours
- A passing score on the ASWB bachelors exam
Licensed Certified Social Worker
LCSWs may perform all duties of LSWs and LSWAs. In addition, their case management duties can also include clinical services related to assessments, diagnostics, and treatments. However, they must provide these clinical services under the direct supervision of an LICSW.
LCSWs can provide both clinical and nonclinical consultation services to individuals and groups. They cannot provide clinical supervision services to any other mental health practitioner class.
Massachusetts licensure requirements for an LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Three professional references, including at least one from an LICSW or LCSW
- One field placement reference from the most recent supervisor documenting placement supervision completed during a CSWE-accredited MSW program
- A passing score on the ASWB master’s exam
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
LICSWs are the highest level of Massachusetts social work licensure. These professionals can work independently in any setting, providing both clinical and non-clinical consultation, case management, and social work services.
In addition, LICSWs can supervise the clinical and non-clinical work of any social worker licensed at a lower level. They can also perform any duty open to LSWA, LSW, or LCSW license holders.
Massachusetts licensure requirements for an LICSW include:
- Current Massachusetts LCSW license
- Two professional references from licensed individuals
- One supervisory reference from an LICSW documenting 3,500 clinical social work experience hours and 100 individual face-to-face clinical supervision hours
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Massachusetts
When it comes to professional licensing, reciprocity generally refers to a state’s ability or willingness to recognize licenses that were earned in other states.
In Massachusetts, you can earn a social work license by reciprocity if you meet the BRSW’s eligibility requirements. In general, you are eligible if you hold a current social work license issued by a U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction that holds membership in the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
Your current license must closely match one of the four license classes used in Massachusetts to ensure proper education and experience.
To obtain a social work license by reciprocity in Massachusetts, you’ll also need to provide:
Official academic transcripts for the highest relevant degree you hold- At least three professional references
- A certified ASWB score report for your social work examination(s)
- A 2x 2 in. photo and a criminal record acknowledgment form
For a full list of all details and requirements, consult section 9.07 of this BRSW licensure document.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Massachusetts
Massachusetts recently transitioned to a new social work license renewal cycle. You must now renew your license every other year by your birthday, beginning from the year it was initially issued.
You must also meet continuing education unit (CEU) requirements as part of the renewal process. CEU requirements apply to every licensing cycle. The number of units you need to complete depends on your license level:
- LICSWs need 30 CEUs
- LCSWs need 20 CEUs
- LSWs need 15 CEUs
- LSWAs need 10 CEUs
The BRSW randomly selects licensees for CEU auditing. To protect the validity of your license, collect official documentation certifying your completion of all required CEUs.
For more information, Massachusetts offers comprehensive guidance on renewing social worker licenses in the state.
The following alphabetical directory lists CSWE-accredited social work programs in Massachusetts. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Maria College Paxton | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $41,744 per year |
| Bridgewater State University Bridgewater | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $11,734 per year |
| Elms College Chicopee, Springfield | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Evenings/Weekends | $812 per credit (part time), $1,671 per credit (full time) |
| Lesley University Cambridge | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $33,326 per year |
| Regis College Weston | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $49,680 per year |
| Salem State University Salem | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $12,338 per year |
| Simmons University Boston | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time | $1,423 per credit (on campus), $500 per credit (online) |
| Westfield State University Westfield | On Campus | Full Time | $970 per year |
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2024 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Maria College Paxton | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $945 per credit |
| Boston College Chestnut Hill | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $1,408 per credit |
| Boston University Boston, Bedford, Fall River, West Barnstable/Cape Cod, Worcester | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Evenings/Weekends, Weekend Only | $39,368 per year (on campus), $956 per credit (online) |
| Bridgewater State University Bridgewater | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Evenings/Weekends | $517 per credit |
| Lesley University Cambridge | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $1,150 per credit |
| Regis College Weston | Online | Part Time, Advanced Standing | $850 per credit |
| Salem State University Salem | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $9,256 per year |
| Simmons University Boston | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $1,165 per credit |
| Smith College Northampton | On Campus | Full Time, Advanced Standing | $35,360 per year |
| Springfield College Springfield | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Evenings/Weekends, Weekends Only | $745 per credit (online), $1,212 per credit (on campus) |
| Westfield State University Westfield, Worcester | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Evenings/Weekends | $546 per credit |
Massachusetts Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Labor market analysts project that the demand for social workers in Massachusetts will rise sharply in the next decade. Projections Central data for 2022-2032 indicate that growth rates for various social work specializations in Massachusetts:
- Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers: +9.6%
- Healthcare Social Workers: +9.7%
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers: +7.3%
- Social Workers, All Other: +7.4%
These growth projects are generally comparable to national averages for the same professions, and significantly above the U.S. average of 4% growth for all occupations.
Social workers in Massachusetts often earn pay that exceeds the national average salary. For example, child, family, and school social workers in MA earn about $5,000 more than the national average for that specialization. MA social workers in the “All Other” category who don’t fit in one of the listed specializations, such as community organizers or forensic social workers, earn about $13,000 more than the national average for their occupation.
The following table offers a detailed breakdown of average pay rates using data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from May 2023.
| Social Worker Occupation | Average Salary Massachusetts | Average Salary Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $64,750 | $59,190 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $69,770 | $67,430 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $64,810 | $63,870 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $81,530 | $68,800 |
Social Work Association in Massachusetts
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Massachusetts Chapter: This local chapter of the nationwide NASW organization provides information from around the country and organizes various events and continuing education opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Social Work
Massachusetts social work licenses encompass four levels: licensed social worker associate (LSWA), licensed social worker (LSW), licensed certified social worker (LCSW), and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). LSWA represents the lowest licensure level, and LICSW represents the highest.
