Massachusetts licenses social workers at four levels: Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW, the master's license) and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Note the names: in Massachusetts the LCSW is the master's-level license, and the clinical license is the LICSW. 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.
Massachusetts at a glance
License
ASWB exam
What it takes
LSWA (Licensed Social Work Associate)
Associate pass on the Bachelors exam
An associate degree or 60 college credits in a human services field, a bachelor's in any field, or 1,000 hours of approved social work education. $215.
LSW (Licensed Social Worker)
Bachelors
A CSWE-accredited BSW (or other routes in the rule). $227.
LCSW (Licensed Certified Social Worker)
Masters
A CSWE-accredited MSW or social work doctorate. $241.
LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)
Clinical
3,500 hours of clinical social work over at least two years as an LCSW, 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision. $255.
The rule still calls the exams by ASWB's older names: Basic (now Bachelors) and Intermediate (now Masters). Each exam must have been passed within two years before you apply.
Massachusetts, step by step
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers
References: every level needs three professional references on the board's forms; for the LCSW one comes from your most recent field placement supervisor, and for the LICSW one from your clinical supervisor.
LCSW (master's license): a master's or doctorate in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and a pass on the ASWB Masters exam (the rule's "Intermediate" exam) within two years before applying. Fees for a new applicant: $105 vendor fee + $68 application + $68 license = $241.
LICSW experience: hold (or have held) the LCSW, then provide at least 3,500 hours of clinical social work services over at least two years from the date you were licensed as an LCSW, with at least 100 hours of individual, face-to-face clinical supervision from an LICSW (or an equivalent independent clinical licensee).
LICSW exam and fees: the ASWB Clinical exam, passed within two years before applying. Fees: $105 + $68 + $82 = $255; renewal $82 every two years on your birthday.
LSW and LSWA: the LSW takes the ASWB Bachelors exam ($227 in fees); the LSWA needs an Associate-level passing score on the same exam ($215). Renewal is every two years; a board-approved domestic and sexual violence training is part of renewal.
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.