New Jersey Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in NJ
New Jersey social workers enjoy some of the country’s highest salaries for their profession. National estimates point to widespread social work vacancies, fueling growth and demand as much-needed positions remain unfilled.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social worker employment is expected to grow 7% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all other occupations.
The demand for social workers is high, creating opportunities for those who are entering the profession.
According to a recent survey by the state’s Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, New Jersey faces a 28% vacancy rate among licensed clinical social workers and a 33% vacancy rate among licensed social workers.
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to obtain and maintain your social work license in the Garden State.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
New Jersey Social Work Licensing Requirements
New Jersey’s State Board of Social Work Examiners licenses social workers with a bachelor of social work (BSW), master of social work (MSW), or a similar degree.
Licensing levels consist of certified social workers (CSW), licensed social workers (LSW), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW).
This section details the scope of practice, educational requirements, supervised training hours, and potential career paths for each license type.
Each credential requires a passing score on the appropriate level exam administered by the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB).
Certified Social Worker
As agency and organizational staff members, certified social workers (CSWs) can provide non-clinical services, such as client assessments, consultations, and counseling.
CSWs can also work in policy and planning, community organizing, research, and advocacy.
CSWs qualify to enter MSW programs to further their training. Those with BSWs may be admitted with advanced standing status, potentially allowing them to get their MSW faster than a traditional student.
New Jersey licensure requirements for CSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or bachelor’s degree in guidance and counseling, human services, marriage and family counseling, psychology, sociology, or vocational/disability rehabilitation. All programs must be accredited by the Council On Social Work Education (CSWE).
- 1,600 hours of full-time social work experience (for non-BSW degree holders only)
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor exam
Licensed Social Worker
LSWs hold master’s or doctorate degrees in social work and can independently offer clients non-clinical services such as programs, service development, and advocacy.
They can also assess and provide treatment like psychotherapeutic counseling, under the supervision of an LCSW. These professionals can work in community or healthcare settings, schools, and addiction or mental health clinics.
New Jersey licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work or social welfare, or doctoral degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSWs can perform all functions of CSWs and LSWs and then some. Additionally they receive clinical social work training, which allows them to independently diagnose and treat behavioral, emotional, and mental health disorders. LCSWs work in social work practices, clinics, rehab centers, and more.
New Jersey licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work or social welfare, or doctoral degree in social work
- At least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 1,920 hours of face-to-face client contact
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in New Jersey
Reciprocity is generally defined as an agreement where professional licenses earned in one state are recognized as valid by others. LCSWs can apply for reciprocity in New Jersey by submitting a verification of license and an application through the state’s online portal.
Legislation pending in the New Jersey state house could lead to the state joining the Social Work Licensure Compact. If the bill becomes law, New Jersey will enter the compact, allowing licensed social workers in New Jersey to transfer their license to other “compact states” and vice versa, potentially helping to address New Jersey’s ongoing mental health provider shortage.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in New Jersey
New Jersey social work licenses expire every two years. The deadline falls on even-numbered years, with social workers required to submit renewal applications by February 1 of those years.
To retain your license, LCSWs must complete 40 credits of continuing education (CE), including 20 hours related to clinical practice, five hours of ethics content, and three hours of social and cultural competence. LSWs need 30 CE credits with five hours of ethics content and three hours of social and cultural competence.
CSWs must provide documentation of 20 CE hours, including five hours of ethics and three hours of social and cultural competence.
Social Work Programs in New Jersey
The following alphabetical directory lists CSWE-accredited social work programs in New Jersey. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centenary University Hackettstown | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $18,318 per semester full time, $878 per credit hour part time |
| Georgian Court University Lakewood and Vineland/Cumberland | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $17,680 per semester full time, $805 per credit hour part time |
| Monmouth University West Long Branch | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $22,876 per semester full time, $1,324 per credit hour part time |
| New Jersey City University Jersey City | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $7,134 per semester full time, $476 per credit hour part time |
| Ramapo College Mahwah | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $16,777 per year in state, $27,708 per year out of state |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, Newark, Camden, and May’s Landing | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $7,111 per semester full time, 459 per credit hour part time |
| Saint Elizabeth University Morristown | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $16,943 per semester full time, $941 per credit hour part time |
| Seton Hall University South Orange | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $25,190 per semester full time, $1,540 per credit hour part time |
| Stockton University Galloway | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time | $6,803 per semester |
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2024 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University Teaneck | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $926 per credit hour |
| Kean University Union | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $9,133 per semester full time, $928 per credit part time, $868 per credit online |
| Monmouth University West Long Branch | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $1,136 per credit hour |
| Montclair State University Montclair | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $37,210 total program cost |
| Ramapo University Mahwah | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $895 per credit hour |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Camden, Newark, New Brunswick | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $9,672 per semester full time, $806 per credit part time, $1,007 per credit online |
| Seton Hall University South Orange | On Campus, Online | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $1,520 per credit hour |
| Stockton University Atlantic City | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $851 per credit hour |
New Jersey Social Worker Career and Salary Information
New Jersey social workers earn above-average salaries in the specialty areas of child, family, and school social workers; healthcare social workers; and mental health and substance abuse social workers.
According to the BLS, New Jersey is the third highest-paying state for child, family, and school social workers and healthcare social workers and ranks fifth nationally for mental health and substance abuse social workers.
According to Projection Central, there is long-term employment growth (2022-2032) across all social worker career paths in New Jersey.
It lists a 14% job growth rate for mental health and substance abuse social workers; 9% for healthcare social workers; 8% for “all other” social workers; and 6% for child, family, and school social workers.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $66,490 | $31.97 |
Social Work Associations in New Jersey
New Jersey social workers can find support through social worker organizations. Here are some useful links.
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW): New Jersey Chapter: Member benefits include advocacy, professional development, and networking opportunities. Students can attend free events focused on early career preparation, skill-building, and industry networking.
- New Jersey Society for Clinical Social Work (NJSCSW): The NJSCSW features leadership and training in psychotherapeutic techniques, opportunities to participate in legislative initiatives, free continuing education, a referral directory, and annual conferences. Clinical social work graduate students can join at a discounted rate.
- U.S. Social Work Boards Directory: Database of regulatory boards in all states and territories that oversee licensing and certifications for the social work profession.
- The Association of Social Work Boards: The association provides support and services to the social work regulatory community, including exams, licensing resources, an overview of regulations, and legislative updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey Social Work
There are three types of New Jersey social work licenses: certified social worker credentials for bachelor’s degree holders and licensed social worker and licensed clinical social worker credentials for master’s or doctoral program graduates.
