How to get a social work license in Nevada

Nevada licenses associates in social work, social workers (LSW), master social workers, independent social workers (LISW) and clinical social workers (LCSW) through the Board of Examiners for Social Workers. 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.

Nevada at a glance

LicenseASWB examWhat it takes
LSW (Licensed Social Worker)Bachelors (BSW), or Bachelors or Masters (MSW)A CSWE-accredited BSW or MSW; pass within 6 months of approval. $50 + $125.
Master social workerPrescribed by the boardA CSWE-accredited MSW; can intern toward the LISW or LCSW.
LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker)Advanced GeneralistAn MSW and 3,000 hours of supervised, postgraduate social work approved by the board. $50 + $125.
LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)ClinicalA board-approved internship of at least 3,000 hours of supervised postgraduate clinical work, done in 2 to 3 years. $50 + $125.

Nevada, step by step

Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers

  1. Exams (NAC 641B.105): the LSW passes the ASWB Bachelors exam with a BSW, or the Bachelors or Masters exam with an MSW; the LISW passes the Advanced Generalist exam; the LCSW passes the Clinical exam. Students in their last semester can test before the degree is awarded; board approval comes first, and a failed exam can be retaken every 90 days.
  2. Fees (NAC 641B.115): initial application $50 and initial license $125 for the LSW, LISW and LCSW; renewal is yearly ($125 LSW, $187.50 LISW and LCSW).
  3. LCSW internship (NAC 641B.150): at least 3,000 hours of supervised, postgraduate clinical social work in a program the board approves before you start (setting, approved supervisor and supervision plan). Complete it no earlier than 2 years and no later than 3 years after approval; hours are lost if no license follows within 3 years of the program's end.
  4. LISW: 3,000 hours of supervised, postgraduate social work approved by the board, then the Advanced Generalist exam.

Sources: NRS chapter 641B, NAC chapter 641B (exams .105, fees .115, LCSW internship .150). Checked October 18, 2026.

Practice for the Bachelors exam, freeThe Bachelors level: generalist practice, benefits programs and task-centered work, on the 2026 Bachelors outline. Practice for the Masters exam, freeVignette questions on the 2026 Masters outline, every answer sourced. Practice for the Advanced Generalist exam, freeLeadership, personnel, program evaluation, grants and research ethics, on the 2026 Advanced Generalist outline. Practice for the Clinical exam, freeDSM-5-TR diagnosis, psychotherapy models, clinical ethics and supervision, on the 2026 Clinical outline.

The national steps, briefly

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.

Official pages