Iowa licenses social workers at three levels through the Board of Social Work: the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). Everything below comes from the board's own pages and rules, checked October 18, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the linked pages before you pay.
Check with your board. Social Work Ticket is a study aid. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) or any state social work board; ASWB is their mark, used here only to name the exam. Laws on confidentiality, reporting and licensing differ by state; follow your state's law, your agency and your supervisor.
Iowa at a glance
License
ASWB exam
What it takes
LBSW (Licensed Bachelor Social Worker)
Bachelors
A CSWE-accredited BSW.
LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)
Masters
A CSWE-accredited MSW.
LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker)
Clinical
At least two years and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience as an LMSW, 1,500 direct client contact, 110 hours of direct supervision.
Iowa, step by step
Iowa Board of Social Work (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
Exams (481-895.4): the ASWB Bachelors exam for the LBSW, the Masters exam for the LMSW and the Clinical exam for the LISW, with scores sent directly by ASWB. On written request, a student in the last semester of an approved MSW program can sit for the exam before the transcript arrives.
Apply: through the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing; the page lists a $123 fee. Licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years.
LISW experience: supervised clinical experience that starts only after you are licensed as an LMSW and lasts at least two years, with at least 3,000 hours of practice, 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 110 hours of direct supervision, on the board's Supervision Plan and Supervision Report forms with an approved LISW supervisor.
The steps that hold nearly everywhere: a CSWE-accredited degree, your board's approval (or ASWB's, in a few states), the ASWB exam at the level your license needs, then the license. Every ASWB level has 122 questions (110 scored) in 4 hours; Bachelors and Masters cost $230, Advanced Generalist and Clinical $260, and you wait at least 90 days to retake (ASWB Examination Guidebook, August 2026). A passing score counts in every state for the same exam level. The full walk-through: How to get your social work license.