Social Work License Requirements in Ohio
- Licensure Requirements
- How Long Does it Take?
- Out-of-State Licensing
- Licensing Renewal
- Salary Expectations
- Professional Organizations
- FAQ
Like other states, Ohio offers multiple levels of social work licensure. Each level has different training standards, and you should understand these differences at the outset of your licensing journey.
This guide to Ohio social work licenses explains all the details and provides links to degree programs that satisfy the state’s educational standards.
Ohio Social Work Licensure Requirements
Ohio’s Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board oversees the state’s social worker licensing program. The board offers three main levels of licensure:
- Registered social work assistant (SWA)
- Licensed social worker (LSW)
- Licensed independent social worker (LISW)
You have a path to an Ohio social work license no matter what type of degree you hold. Education requirements for SWA licensure begin with an associate degree. LSWs need at least a bachelor’s degree, while you must have at least a master’s degree to become an LISW.
Ohio also offers two specialized license subtypes: social work trainee (SWT) and a licensed independent social worker supervisor (LISW-S). SWT licensure requires enrollment in a graduate-level social work field training or practicum course. LISW-S licensure is uniquely available to experienced LISWs seeking authorization to supervise LSWs and SWAs.
For further details, refer to the subsections below.
Registered Social Work Assistant
Ohio licensure requirements for SWA include:
- Associate degree in social service technology
- At least 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours of core social service/social work skills, theory, and systems courses, including a social service practicum
- At least 21 quarter hours or 14 semester hours of related courses such as psychology, sociology, and economics
SWAs provide and administer community-based outreach and support programs, case management duties, and client assessments. They may also conduct field observations, offer referrals, perform intake assessments, and carry out crisis interventions.
Under Ohio law, SWAs must work under an LSW, LISW, or other licensed mental health practitioner at all times. Registered nurses, counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists all qualify as potential supervisors.
Licensed Social Worker
Ohio licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor or master exam
Compared to SWAs, LSWs have an expanded scope of practice. When employed in a public agency setting, they can provide intervention and counseling services without supervision. If supervised by an LISW, they can also provide social psychotherapy.
When working as an independent contractor or as part of a private practice, LSWs must carry out all duties under the direct supervision of an LISW. This includes duties for which they require no supervision in public agency settings.
Licensed Independent Social Worker
Ohio licensure requirements for LISW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Documentation of at least 3,000 hours of social work experience, supervised by an LISW with supervision designation
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical or advanced generalist exam
LISWs have the complete and unrestricted ability to provide counseling, social psychotherapy, and interventions without supervision. They may also independently perform all duties included in the SWA and LSW scopes of practice.
Uniquely, LISWs can also plan, develop, implement, assess, and evaluate social service and consultation programs. These authorizations are not available to any other class of Ohio social work license holder.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Social Worker in Ohio?
Becoming a fully licensed social worker in Ohio requires a minimum of four years, allowing time to complete a required bachelor’s degree. Advancing from LSW to LISW requires both a master’s degree and postgraduate experience, which will take an additional three to four years to complete, depending on whether you enroll in a part-time, full-time, or advanced standing program.
For a faster pathway to entry-level social work in Ohio, you can become a registered SWA, which requires only a two-year associate degree.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Ohio
Social workers licensed in other states may qualify for an Ohio social work license if they meet LSW or LISW qualification standards. The application process involves multiple steps:
- Forward your ASWB exam results to Ohio licensing officials for review. If your exam scores are more than seven years old, you must hold a current, active license or your scores will not qualify.
- Demonstrate the validity of your current license. You can use your state’s license verification service, or ask your state’s social work licensing board to forward proof on your behalf.
- Pass Ohio’s background check requirements. These include both Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) checks.
Ohio is part of the interstate Social Work Licensure Compact. Participating states plan to begin issuing social work licenses with multi-state validity in 2025.
How to Renew a Social Work License in Ohio
The following set of general Ohio social work license renewal requirements apply to all licensure levels:
- You must renew your license every two years by the date on which it was originally issued.
- License-holders must complete at least 30 clock hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year licensing period.
- At least three of those 30 hours must cover professional ethics topics.
All CE must be completed through providers recognized by Ohio’s Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
Salary Expectations for Social Workers in Ohio
Ohio social workers typically earn salaries that fall below national averages. National mean averages for each of the four social work specializations listed in the table below are all higher than the figures reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for Ohio.
The following table profiles average salaries for Ohio-based specialists in various social work career paths:
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $24.64 | $51,210 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $31.08 | $64,650 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $24.23 | $50,400 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $29.90 | $62,190 |
Job growth projections for Ohio social workers look strong. From 2022-32, Projections Central predicts the following growth rates for social workers in Ohio:
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers: +4.3%
- Healthcare Social Workers: +6.1%
- Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers: +8%
- Social Workers, All Other: +7.1%
Professional Organizations for Social Workers in Ohio
National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Ohio Chapter
NASW’s Ohio chapter advocates for the social work profession, provides CE opportunities, and works on issues of workplace safety, compensation, and education debt relief.
Ohio School Social Work Association
OSSWA advocates for the professional development of school social workers and the effective delivery of school social work services. The group builds relationships and collaborates with other stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels, and provides networking and CE opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Licensure
Indiana Social Work Licensing Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in IN
Interested in a social work career? This guide breaks down Indiana social work license requirements, renewal, and salary potential. Explore your education options with our Indiana social work degree directories.
