🤝 Social Worker License Requirements by State

Compare social worker license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level social worker license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $260–$260. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$260	$50,790
AKAlaska	Required	—	$260	$72,391
AZArizona	Required	—	$260	$56,628
ARArkansas	Required	—	$260	$49,039
CACalifornia	Required	—	$260	$80,564
COColorado	Required	—	$260	$63,050
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$260	$67,137
DEDelaware	Required	—	$260	$58,380
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$260	$74,726
FLFlorida	Required	—	$260	$56,044
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$260	$54,293
HIHawaii	Required	—	$260	$78,813
IDIdaho	Required	—	$260	$54,877
ILIllinois	Required	—	$260	$61,299
INIndiana	Required	—	$260	$53,125
IAIowa	Required	—	$260	$51,958
KSKansas	Required	—	$260	$51,958
KYKentucky	Required	—	$260	$51,958
LALouisiana	Required	—	$260	$52,542
MEMaine	Required	—	$260	$56,628
MDMaryland	Required	—	$260	$63,634
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$260	$71,223
MIMichigan	Required	—	$260	$54,877
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$260	$60,715
MSMississippi	Required	—	$260	$48,455
MOMissouri	Required	—	$260	$52,542
MTMontana	Required	—	$260	$56,044
NENebraska	Required	—	$260	$52,542
NVNevada	Required	—	$260	$59,547
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$260	$60,715
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$260	$68,888
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$260	$53,125
NYNew York	Required	—	$260	$75,894
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$260	$53,709
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$260	$55,461
OHOhio	Required	—	$260	$53,709
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$260	$50,790
OROregon	Required	—	$260	$64,218
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$260	$57,212
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$260	$60,131
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$260	$53,125
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$260	$51,374
TNTennessee	Required	—	$260	$52,542
TXTexas	Required	—	$260	$54,877
UTUtah	Required	—	$260	$56,628
VTVermont	Required	—	$260	$58,963
VAVirginia	Required	—	$260	$59,547
WAWashington	Required	—	$260	$68,888
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$260	$50,206
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$260	$54,877
WYWyoming	Required	—	$260	$55,461

Common questions about social worker licensing

Do all states require a social worker license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level social worker license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a social worker license?

Application fees across the states range $260–$260. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a social worker license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.