Washington Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in WA
Washington provides a straightforward path to becoming an advanced or independent clinical social worker. The state offers top bachelor’s and master’s programs in social work, higher-than-average salaries, and strong employment growth projections. Explore how to become a licensed social worker in the Evergreen State.
Popular Online MSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Washington State Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) oversees Washington state social work licensing. The DOH issues two provisional licenses: licensed social worker associate-advanced (LSWAA) and licensed associate social worker-independent clinical (LSWAIC). The DOH also offers two full licenses: licensed advanced social worker (LASW) and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW).
Both associate and full licensure require a master’s degree in social work or a doctorate from a program holding Council on Social Work Education accreditation. Associate licenses allow completion of the post-graduate supervised training hours required for full licensure.
Licensed Social Worker Associate — Advanced
LSWAAs have completed their social work graduate programs and are in the process of gaining the supervised experience required for full licensure as LASWs. Advanced social worker candidates must accrue 3,000 hours, including 800 hours of direct client contact and 90 hours under the supervision of a LASW or LICSW.
Washington state licensure requirements for LSWAA include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Declaration that the applicant is working toward full licensure
Licensed Social Worker Associate — Independent Clinical
LSWAICs have earned their master’s or doctorate in social work and are working on their 3,000 hours of supervised experience. The post-graduate training must take a minimum of two years to complete and include 1,000 hours of direct client contact under the supervision of an LICSW with 100 hours of direct LICSW supervision or a mental health practitioner with an equivalent license.
Washington state licensure requirements for LSWAIC include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Declaration that the applicant is working toward full licensure
Licensed Advanced Social Worker
LASWs provide services in advocacy, case management, community organization, and consultation. They often work in healthcare settings on teams of care providers. LASWs can practice clinical social work, such as psychotherapy, under the supervision of an LICSW or an equally qualified and licensed professional, such as a psychologist or advanced nurse practitioner.
Washington state licensure requirements for LASW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- 3,000 hours of supervised experience
- Passing score on the ASWB advanced generalist or clinical exam
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
LICSWs can offer all social work services, clinical and non-clinical, independently. After gaining experience, they can also supervise LASWs and licensed associate social workers. LICSWs diagnose emotional and mental disorders and provide psychotherapeutic treatment to their clients in healthcare facilities, social service agencies, or private practice.
Washington state licensure requirements for LICSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- 3,000 hours of supervised experience
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Washington
Washington state social work licensing reciprocity is based on the substantial equivalency of the scope of social work practice in other states. If the DOH finds substantial equivalency, applicants who have held licenses in those states during the prior 12 months can pursue temporary probationary licenses to practice social work in Washington. Reciprocity applicants cannot have disciplinary or disqualifying criminal histories.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Washington State
Washington social workers and social work associates renew their licenses every year on or before their birthdays. Renewal requires verified continuing education.
Associate social workers with provisional licenses must log 18 hours of continuing education (CE) annually. CE required for LASWs and LICSWs totals 36 hours every two years, including six hours of ethics.
In addition, all categories of licensed social workers complete six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management every six years and two hours of health equity training every four years.
Social Work Programs in Washington
The following alphabetical directory lists CSWE-accredited social work programs in Washington. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University Cheney | On Campus | On Campus | $7,287 per semester |
| Heritage University Toppenish and Pasco | On Campus | On Campus | $20,928 per year |
| Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma | On Campus | On Campus | $52,259 per year |
| Saint Martin’s University Lacey | On Campus | On Campus | $44,900 per year |
| Seattle University Seattle | On Campus | On Campus | $55,620 per year |
| University of Washington Seattle, Tacoma | On Campus | On Campus | $4,215 per quarter |
| Walla Walla University College Place | On Campus | On Campus | $33,012 per year |
| School | Format | Enrollment Type | 2024 In-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University Cheney, Everett, Spokane | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $12,738 per semester |
| Seattle University Seattle | On Campus | Full Time, Advanced Standing | $849 per credit |
| University of Washington Seattle, Tacoma | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $7,890 per quarter |
| Walla Walla University College Place | On Campus | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $695 per credit |
Washington Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Washington social workers earn average salaries exceeding the national average salary of all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks Washington fifth among the top-paying states for the “social workers, all other” category, including job titles in criminal justice and forensics.
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area ranks sixth for “all other” social workers, with an average annual earnings of $92,780.
Long-term projections for 2020-2030 show employment growth for Washington social workers across all occupations. According to Projections Central, child, family, school, and healthcare social workers are projected to grow by 15%, mental health and substance use social workers by 17%, and all other social workers by 7%.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $64,860 | $30 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $70,390 | $34 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $67,280 | $32 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $90,580 | $43 |
Social Work Associations in Washington
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Washington Chapter: Offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming Washington conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington State Social Work
Washington state social work licensing falls into four categories: licensed social worker associate-advanced (LSWAA), licensed associate social worker-independent clinical (LSWAIC), licensed advanced social worker (LASW), and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). Associates are provisionally licensed social workers gaining supervised experience for full licensure.
