California Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in CA
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A California social work license requires a master’s degree, as the state does not license bachelor’s degree-holders. However, earning a master of social work (MSW) can be worth the effort. California social workers rank among the highest paid in the United States.
Explore this guide for information about the state’s MSW programs and how to become licensed.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
California Social Work Licensing Requirements
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences oversees social work licensing. The board offers two types of credentials: associate clinical social worker (ACSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Both licenses require a master of social work (MSW).
This section covers the training, experience, and examination requirements you need to complete for social worker licensure. You also learn about career paths and scopes of practice for each license type.
Associate Clinical Social Worker
ACSWs work under the supervision of LCSWs or comparable mental health professionals to complete the required training to become LCSWs themselves. ACSWs can practice social work while supervised at a private practice, agency, or organization. They can only perform mental health and related services as employees or volunteers. ACSWs cannot work independently or bill clients directly.
California licensure requirements for an ACSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work
- 66 hours (81 hours for out-of-state applicants) of relevant coursework and/or applied experience
- Completion of 12-hour California Law and Ethics course for out-of-state/country applicants and applicants who graduated on or before December 31, 2007
- Passing score on the California Law and Ethics Exam
- At least 3,000 total supervised hours over 104 weeks
- BBS ACSW registration completion
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSWs have completed their supervised training and passed the national clinical-level examination needed for full licensure. They can work independently in private practice or other employment settings and bill clients directly. They can also open their own practice.
LCSWs help individuals, families, and groups by providing clinical social work services, such as counseling and non-medical applied psychotherapy. In addition, LCSWs can offer referrals to other social work services, help communities organize to improve systems, and conduct research.
California licensure requirements for an LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work
- 66 hours (81 hours for out-of-state applicants) of relevant coursework and/or applied experience
- Completion of 12-hour California Law and Ethics course for out-of-state/country applicants and applicants who graduated on/before December 31, 2007
- Passing score on the California Law and Ethics Exam
- Minimum 3,000 hours of experience, over 104 weeks (minimum)
- Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Exam
- BBS LCSW licensure application completion
Social Work License Reciprocity in California
California does not maintain formal ACSW license reciprocity with other states. Out-of-state applicants who hold an MSW can apply for their ACSW credentials through the same process as in-state candidates.
Out-of-state LCSWs can earn their California social work license through reciprocity. The board offers two application pathways.
Path A, licensure by credential, requires:
- An MSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program
- A current, active, unrestricted out-of-state LCSW license held for at least two years
- LCSW licensure at the highest level for independent practice offered by the state
Path B, licensure by education and experience, applies to applicants who:
- Hold an LCSW license but do not meet all Path A requirements OR
- Earned an MSW outside California but have not registered as a California ACSW
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in California
ACSWs renew credentials annually. You must complete three hours of California law and ethics education and pass the law and ethics exam. An additional 12 hours of California law and ethics education are required if you earned your MSW in a state other than California.
LCSWs renew every two years. Renewal requires 36 continuing education (CE) hours, including six hours of ethics. The CE sources must be from board-accepted providers. Acceptable CE includes relevant courses from accredited colleges, universities, and board-recognized organizations. The board accepts both in-person and online courses.
MSW Programs Available in California
- Alliant International University — (Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice; Mental Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2025 Tuition: $793 per credit hour
- Azusa Pacific University — Azusa and San Bernardino (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $795 per credit hour
- Cal Poly Humboldt — Arcata (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist with an Emphasis on Rural and Indigenous Communities
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $9,774 per year (includes fees)
- California Baptist University — Riverside (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $798 per credit hour
- California State University, Bakersfield — Bakersfield and Lancaster (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist with an Emphasis on Child and Family Services, Mental Health, or Gerontology/Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $9,610 per year full time in state, $13,886 per year part time out of state
- California State University, Chico — City (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $3,404 per semester (0-6 credits), $5,000 per semester (6.1+ credits in state); additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, Dominguez Hills — Carson (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families; Community Mental Health; Community Capacity Building
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, East Bay — Hayward (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families; Mental Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,958 per semester (0-6 credits), $4,554 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, Fullerton — Fullerton and Irvine (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,903 per semester (0-6 credits), $4,499 per semester (7+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, Long Beach — Long Beach, Ventura, and Santa Rosa (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Child and Family Wellbeing; Adulthood and Aging; Integrated Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (7+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, Los Angeles — Los Angeles (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $8,684 per year full time in state, additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, Monterey Bay — Seaside (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, Northridge — Northridge (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist with a Focus on Urban Families
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, Sacramento — Sacramento (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Behavioral Health; Children and Families; Health and Aging
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, San Bernardino — San Bernardino (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- California State University, San Marcos — San Marcos (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist with Emphases on children, youth, and family and behavioral health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: On campus: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state, additional $420 per credit hour out of state; online: $530 per credit hour
- California State University, Stanislaus — Turlock (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist; Socially Just Clinical Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $7,608 per year
- Fresno State University — Fresno (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Child Welfare; School Social Work; Behavioral Health and Integrated Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (7+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- Loma Linda University — San Bernardino (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Clinical
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition (includes fees): On campus: $39,885-$41,135 per year; online: $19,120-$25,797 per year
- National University — Online
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $776 per credit hour
- Pacific Oaks College — Online
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist; Clinical Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,210 per credit hour
- San Diego State University — San Diego and Calexico (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Direct Practice/Clinical; Administration/Community Development; Mental Health; Children, Youth, and Families; Health and Aging
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $9,022-$10,252 per year in state (including fees); additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- San Francisco State University — San Francisco (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Individuals, Families, and Groups
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- San Jose State University — San Jose (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $2,208 per semester (0-6 credits), $3,804 per semester (6.1+ credits) in state; additional $420 per credit hour out of state
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $14,797 per semester in state, $20,920 per semester out of state
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Health and Mental Health Across the Life Span; Social and Economic Justice; Child and Family Well-Being
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition (including fees): $9,964 per quarter in state; $14,261 per quarter out of state
- University of Massachusetts Global — Online
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $730 per credit hour
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles and San Diego (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Integrated Social Work; Military Social Work; Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth and Families; School Social Work; Social Change and Innovation
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $2,201 per unit part time (1-14 units), $33,019 flat rate (15-18 units)
- University of the Pacific — Sacramento (On Campus, Hybrid)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical Practice; Mental Health; Aging; Community and Public Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,025 per credit hour
California Social Worker Career and Salary Information
According to May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, California social workers’ average annual salaries exceed the national average across all tracked specializations.
California is the top-paying state for healthcare social workers and ranks second for mental health and substance use social workers. For child, family, and school social workers, four Northern California cities rank among the top ten highest-paying metropolitan areas.
In addition to high salaries, Projections Central’s long-term data (2022-2032) for California project growth between 8.9% for “all other” social workers and 18.5% for mental health and substance use social workers.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $69,340 | $31.66 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $93,200 | $43.17 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $81,330 | $34.35 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $72,320 | $30.61 |
Social Work Associations in California
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), California Chapter: The California chapter of the NASW offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming California conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- The California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW): This association promotes the development of school social work in the state and works to facilitate professional growth and development opportunities for school social workers to empower children and families in the state’s school systems.
- The California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW): This organization promotes the highest level of education for California’s clinical social workers by offering professional development opportunities, advocating for the field, and connecting members.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Social Work
What degree do you need to be a social worker in California?
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) in California need a master of social work earned at a school accredited by the Council for Social Work Education. Non-clinical, unlicensed social workers may only need a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Does California require social workers to be licensed?
Not all social workers in California need to be licensed. However, those who want to provide clinical social work services and psychotherapy independently must hold a licensed clinical social worker credential.
How much do social workers in California make?
California social workers earn salaries that rank among the highest nationwide. Average annual wages range from $69,340 for child, family, and school social workers to $93,200 for healthcare social workers.
How long does it take to become a social worker in California?
Becoming a licensed social worker in California can take 7-9 years. You must first earn a four-year bachelor’s degree. If your bachelor’s is not in social work, you’ll spend two years completing a master’s degree. If you obtain a bachelor of social work, you may qualify for a one-year advanced standing MSW. After graduation, you can log at least two more years gaining the required 3,000 hours of supervised training.
