Wisconsin credentials social workers at four levels: Certified Social Worker (CSW), Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW), Certified Independent Social Worker (ISW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Every level also takes Wisconsin's own Statutes and Rules 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.
Wisconsin at a glance
License
ASWB exam
What it takes
CSW (Certified Social Worker)
Bachelors + Wisconsin Statutes and Rules
A CSWE-accredited bachelor's, master's or doctorate in social work (or the training certificate).
APSW (Advanced Practice Social Worker)
Masters + Statutes and Rules
A CSWE-accredited MSW or social work doctorate.
ISW (Independent Social Worker)
Advanced Generalist
At least two years of full-time supervised social work practice as an APSW.
LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
Clinical
3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice (1,000 face to face) while holding an APSW or ISW, clinical coursework and field training.
Wisconsin, step by step
Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board (DSPS)
Statutes and Rules exam: every Wisconsin social work applicant passes the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules exam once; it is a $75 fee on your first application (uncheck it later if you already passed).
CSW and APSW: apply in LicensE; your school sends Form 1978 directly to DSPS. The CSW takes the ASWB Bachelors exam and the APSW the ASWB Masters exam; a score from another state is accepted if ASWB sends it to DSPS.
ISW: at least two years of full-time supervised social work practice as an APSW, with a supervisor already approved by the board, and the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam (authorized on initial review of your application).
LCSW experience (MPSW 3.09): after the master's and while holding an APSW or ISW, at least 3,000 hours of clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact (at least 600 of them DSM diagnosis and treatment of individuals), under a board-approved supervisor. Supervision runs at least one hour per 40 hours of practice, averaged over the period (MPSW 4.01, updated October 1, 2026).
LCSW education and exam: a course in psychopathology and two clinical theory and practice courses, plus a supervised clinical field placement in the degree (without it, 1,500 extra supervised hours on Form 2672). Then pass the ASWB Clinical exam; a temporary license is available if everything but the exam is done.
Renewal: every two years with 30 CE hours, at least 4 in ethics and professional boundaries (no CE needed at the first 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.