How to Become a Social Worker

Social Candidates will need a degree, a passing score on the ASWB Exam, and supervision hours.

How to Become a Social Worker

Social Candidates will need a degree, a passing score on the ASWB Exam, and supervision hours.

How to Become a Social Worker

Social Candidates will need a degree, a passing score on the ASWB Exam, and supervision hours.


Becoming a Social Worker

Social Workers work in a wide range of settings such as mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, settlement homes, child welfare or human services agencies, or even private practice. The ASWB recognizes the following licensure levels: Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical.

In order to become a Licensed Social Worker at the Bachelors’s level, an individual must earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field of study and pass the ASWB Bachelors-Level Exam. Completing a Master’s degree and passing the ASWB Masters-Level Exam is required to become a licensed Master Social Worker (MSW or equivalent). Clinical Social Workers need a Master’s degree, a passing score on the ASWB Clinical Exam, and must complete additional hours in a supervised clinical setting. Additional licensure requirements vary by state.

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for social workers is $51,760, although it is important to note that salary ranges differ by geographic location, experience, and work setting.

AATBS offers comprehensive exam prep materials to support social workers at all levels. View our list of social work exam prep materials here, or learn more about the individual study offerings below.

Self Study Exam Prep:

Study for your ASWB Exam at your own pace with one of our self-study exam prep packages. Self-study packages are perfect for those who have unpredictable schedules or otherwise prefer to prepare at their own pace.

Self-Study Exam Prep (Clinical)

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Self-Study Exam Prep (Bachelors)

Live Online Exam Prep:

All the materials you'll need to pass your ASWB Exam, including workshops, TestMASTER, study volumes, flashcards, memory aids, and theories charts.

Live Online Exam Prep (Clinical)

Live Online Exam Prep (Masters)

Live Online Exam Prep (Bachelors)

Looking for more information about the ASWB Exam? Click here to learn about the LCSW Exam.


Other Frequently Asked Questions


The Social Work Clinical Exam is an exam administered by the ASWB. Candidates who pass the ASWB Clinical Exam and meet their state’s licensure requirements are able to practice as Clinical Social Workers in their state. Depending on the state, Clinical Social Workers may earn an LCSW, CSW, LISW, LSCSW, LCSW-C, or LICSW license.

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The Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) examination is offered by the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB). Different states give various titles to social workers who pass the ASWB Clinical exam. LCSW or LICSW are commonly used in many locations.

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Social Workers may be licensed as a Master of Social Work (MSW or equivalent) or as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, LICSW, or equivalent). Both licenses require a Master’s Degree. MSWs require a passing score on the ASWB Masters Level Exam, while LCSWs are required to pass the ASWB Clinical Exam, which tests specialized clinical knowledge and the ability to apply advanced clinical skills to scenario-based questions.

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