If you want to become a social worker, learn about Washington state’s social work licensing requirements, schools, salaries, and employment growth.
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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.
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Learn More About Our Partners Loading. Learn More Visit Site Loading. Learn More Visit Site Loading. Learn More Visit SiteThe 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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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 |
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Washington Chapter: Offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming Washington conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
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.
The Washington Department of Health regulates and licenses social workers and requires a master’s or doctoral degree in social work, 3,000 hours of post-graduate experience, and a passing score on the ASWB advanced generalist or clinical exam.
Child, family, and school social workers earn an average annual salary of $64,860; healthcare social workers earn $70,390; mental health and substance use social workers earn $67,280; and all other social workers earn $90,580.
Earning a BSW takes four years of full-time study at Washington universities and confers advanced standing admission status to an MSW program. Advanced standing MSW students can complete their degrees in one year, while bachelor’s degree holders in other fields need two years to finish an MSW. Licensure requires another two years to gain post-graduate supervised experience.
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