Indiana Social Work Licensing Requirements
Written by: Maura Deering, J.D. | Edited by: Victoria Hudgeons
Last Updated on June 21, 2024
Indiana offers numerous educational programs and social work licenses for bachelor’s and master’s degree-holders. The state’s affordable cost of living and positive employment growth projections make it an attractive option. Learn about earning your Indiana social work license, explore available social work programs, and review post-graduation salary potential with this helpful guide.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Indiana Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)’s Behavioral Health and Human Services (BHHS) Board oversees social work licensing. The department offers three levels: licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW), licensed social worker (LSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
An LBSW needs a bachelor’s degree in social work, while LSWs and LCSWs must hold master’s degrees in social work. Indiana also requires social workers to graduate from Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited programs.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
LBSWs in Indiana can practice generalist social work in public and private agencies, including advocacy programs, children and youth services, criminal justice agencies, homeless shelters, and public health agencies. They can offer direct and indirect services to individuals, families, and groups. LBSWs often work in organizational planning and management.
Indiana licensure requirements for LBSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor exam
Licensed Social Worker
LSWs work with communities, families, groups, and individuals dealing with challenges and connect them with resources. They help clients change their behaviors and emotional responses, working to effect change within surrounding social conditions. These professionals plan, administer, and research community social service delivery systems. LSWs can find employment in community mental health centers, private practice, and school health services.
Indiana licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB master exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSWs perform the client advocacy and community services functions of BSWs and LSWs while providing counseling, psychosocial evaluation, mental health diagnosis, and psychotherapy services. LCSWs work with individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities in child and family service agencies, mental and physical health facilities, and private practice.
Indiana licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Verification of 3,000 hours (two years) of post-degree experience in clinical social work
- Verification of qualified supervision hours by an LCSW
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Indiana
Active, equivalent license holders in other states can obtain their Indiana social work licenses through reciprocity. Submission requirements include an application, verification of licensure, and ASWB examination scores on the appropriate level exam.
In addition, each applicant must pass Indiana’s jurisprudence exam, a 30-question multiple-choice and true/false test of the BHHS’s statutes and rules. LCSWs applying for licensing through the reciprocity process must also have two years of professional experience.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Indiana
Indiana social work license holders renew by April 1st of each even-numbered year. Licenses remain active for two years and expire on March 31. The licensing board sends reminders 90 days before the expiration date. Licensees renew online and are responsible for verifying the completion of their renewal and continuing education (CE) requirements.
Renewal requires 40 hours of CE for each two-year cycle, including two hours of ethics and 20 hours of formal CE experiences. Formal programming can consist of in-person courses, workshops, and seminars, along with home study programs.
BSW Programs Available in Indiana
- Anderson University — Anderson (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $18,075 per semester
- Ball State University — Muncie (on campus, online)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: On Campus: $8,688 per year (in state), $26,696 per year (out of state); Online: $346 per credit (in state), $578 per credit (out of state);
- Goshen College — Goshen (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $38,890 per year
- Huntington University — Huntington (on campus, online)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $31,870 per year
- Indiana State University — Terre Haute (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,989-$5,801 per semester (in state), $6,486-$13,031 per semester (out of state)
- Indiana University — Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Richmond, and South Bend (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $257-$332 per credit (in state), $737-$1,122 per credit (out of state)
- Indiana Wesleyan University — Marion (on campus, online)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions, child advocacy, counseling
- Enrollment Type: Full time
- 2024 Tuition: On campus: $16,142 per semester; online: $449 per credit
- Manchester University — North Manchester (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $35,800 per year
- Marian University — Indianapolis (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time
- 2024 Tuition: $40,664 per year
- Purdue University Northwest — Westville and Hammond (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time
- 2024 Tuition: $8,675 per year (in state), $12,587 per year (out of state)
- Saint Mary’s College — Notre Dame (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time
- 2024 Tuition: $52,110 per year
- Taylor University — Upland (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time
- 2024 Tuition: $39,500 per year
- University of Indianapolis — Indianapolis (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $35,440 per year
- University of Saint Francis — Fort Wayne (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $35,210 per year
- University of Southern Indiana — Evansville (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time
- 2024 Tuition: $299 per credit hour (in state), $727 per credit hour (out of state)
- Valparaiso University — Valparaiso (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time
- 2024 Tuition: $46,940 per year
MSW Programs Available in Indiana
- Ball State University — Muncie (on campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time, advanced standing
- 2024 Tuition: $464 per credit hour (in state), $1,269 per credit hour (out of state)
- Indiana State University — Terre Haute (on campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or direct practice
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time, advanced standing
- 2024 Tuition: $462 per credit (in state), $601-$909 per credit (out of state)
- Indiana University — Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, New Albany, Richmond, South Bend, and West Lafayette (on campus, online)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions; children, youth, and families; health; leadership; mental health; school
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time, advanced standing
- 2024 Tuition: $437-$509 per credit (in state), $1,020-$1,094 per credit (out of state)
- Indiana Wesleyan University — Marion (hybrid, online)
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time, advanced standing
- 2024 Tuition: $565 per credit
- University of Indianapolis — Indianapolis (on campus)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions; children, youth, and families; clinical or direct practice; health; mental health
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time, advanced standing
- 2024 Tuition: $664 per credit
- University of Southern Indiana — Evansville (on campus, online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or direct practice
- Enrollment Type: Full time, part time, advanced standing
- 2024 Tuition: $447 per credit (in state), $875 per credit (out of state)
Indiana Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Indiana social workers’ average annual and hourly wages fall below the national averages, except in the “all other social workers” category. Indiana’s $73,800 average for all other social workers outpaces the national average of $68,800, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for May 2023. In addition, Indiana’s 90.3 cost-of-living index ranks ninth for affordability, indicating that paychecks can stretch further.
Long-term occupational projections for 2020-2030 from Projections Central point to positive job growth in Indiana. Child, family, and school social workers received a 10.4% growth projection, while healthcare social workers reached 12.4%, mental health and substance use social workers were at 16.2%, and all social workers received a 3.7% growth rate.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $53,690 | $25.81 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $73,800 | $35.48 |
Social Work Associations in Indiana
- The National Association of Social Workers, Indiana Chapter: The Indiana NASW chapter offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming Indiana conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- Indiana School Social Work Association: This organization promotes the practice of school social work in Indiana, hosts annual conferences, and provides resources for professional development and funding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Indiana?
Indiana’s Behavioral Health and Human Services Board provides credentials for licensed bachelor social workers (LBSWs), licensed social workers (LSWs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs).
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Indiana?
If you’re interested in becoming an LBSW, you’ll need a bachelor of social work and a passing score on the ASWB’s bachelor-level exam. LSWs require a master of social work and a passing score on the ASWB’s master’s exam. LCSWs must also earn a master’s degree, log 3,000 hours of verified past-graduate clinical training, and pass the ASWB’s clinical examination.
How much do social workers in Indiana make?
Indiana child, family, and school social workers earn an average annual salary of $53,690. Healthcare social workers make an average of $63,590 a year. Mental health and substance use social workers earn $56,310 annually, while all other social workers earn $73,800 each year.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Indiana?
LBSWs can earn their degrees in about four years. LSWs need an additional 1-2 years for a master’s, depending on whether they hold BSWs or bachelor’s degrees in other fields. LCSWs spend 4-6 years in school and another three years completing their clinical experience hours. Full-time, part-time, or advanced standing enrollment and online or on-campus study can influence the time it takes to become a social worker.
