Vermont licenses two levels of social workers: the Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). There is no bachelor's-level license. OPR is drafting a restructuring of all mental health licenses for the 2027 legislative session. 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.
Vermont at a glance
License
ASWB exam
What it takes
LMSW (Licensed Master's Social Worker)
Masters + VT jurisprudence
A CSWE-accredited MSW or doctorate; no supervised practice requirement.
LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)
Clinical + VT jurisprudence
An MSW, 3,000 hours of supervised practice over at least two years (2,000 direct psychotherapy).
Vermont, step by step
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Social Workers)
LMSW (Rule 2.2): a master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited program, the ASWB Masters exam taken within five years of completing all requirements, and the Vermont jurisprudence exam.
Supervised practice for the LICSW (Part 4):3,000 hours over no less than two years, no more than 1,500 credited per year, with 2,000 hours of direct psychotherapy and 1,000 direct or indirect. At least half the hours must fall within five years of completing all requirements.
Supervision: one hour of face-to-face supervision (in person or HIPAA-compliant video) for every 30 hours of practice, at least half individual; groups up to eight. If you are not yet an LMSW, you must be entered on the roster of nonlicensed, noncertified psychotherapists before supervised practice in Vermont; LMSWs register with the Office.
LICSW exam (Rule 3.2): the ASWB Clinical exam within five years of completing all requirements, plus the Vermont jurisprudence exam.
Fees (3 V.S.A. 125): application $120; biennial renewal $180, with up to 20 CE hours.
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.