Washington licenses master's-level social workers at two full levels, the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and the Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW), with an associate license for each while you collect supervised hours. Washington does not license at the bachelor's level and does not use the Masters exam. 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.
Washington at a glance
License
ASWB exam
What it takes
LSWAIC / LSWAA (associate, independent clinical or advanced)
None
A CSWE-accredited MSW or doctorate; one-year license renewed yearly while you build hours. $35.
LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)
Clinical
3,000 postgraduate supervised hours over at least two years, 1,000 direct client contact under an LICSW, 100 hours of supervision. $170.
LASW (Licensed Advanced Social Worker)
Advanced Generalist
3,000 postgraduate supervised hours, 800 direct client contact, 90 hours of supervision. $170.
Washington, step by step
Washington State Department of Health (social worker licensing, chapter 18.225 RCW)
Degree: a master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited social work program, with the official transcript sent by the school.
Associate license: the associate licenses (independent clinical or advanced) let you practice under supervision while you build hours; the application fee is $35 plus a $16 online access fee, and an associate license must be renewed every year.
LICSW experience: at least 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience over at least two years, with 1,000 hours of direct client contact supervised by an LICSW and 100 hours of direct supervision by an LICSW or equally licensed mental health practitioner.
LASW experience: at least 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience with 800 hours of direct client contact and 90 hours of supervision by an LICSW or LASW licensed at least two years (up to 40 of the 90 hours, one on one, with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner).
The exam: the ASWB Clinical exam for the LICSW or the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam for the LASW. You register after you have sent the application, experience, education and fees, and the department sends registration instructions once approved.
Fees (WAC 246-809-990): LASW or LICSW application and initial license $170 plus the $16 online access fee. Three years of practice as a substance use disorder professional within the last ten can cut the hours by 10 percent.
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.