Social worker licensing is integral to maintaining social work professional standards. Becoming licensed:
- Demonstrates that you are competent to practice and ready to provide safe, ethical care
- Protects the public and shows that you are licensed as required by law and in good standing.
- Is required to practice as Indiana has title protection. IC 25-23.6-4-1 requires anyone working in a behavioral health and human services position – regardless of job title – to be licensed. (You can request a temporary permit for $25 which allows you to legally work prior to passing the licensing exam. There are a few exemptions for licensing which are listed in statute IC 25-23.6-4-2.)
In Indiana, Social Workers are licensed by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (www.in.gov/pla/) and social work licenses are governed by the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board.
Below is summary information about the licensing process, but you should refer directly to the Licensing Board's website for official requirements and guidance. To be clear, NASW Indiana Chapter has no authority over licenses or the licensing process.
Social Work Licenses
Social work licensing requires that you graduate from a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and that you pass the appropriate test identified and given by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
- Licensed Bachelor in Social Work – LBSW
- Licensed Social Worker – LSW
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker – LCSW
Licensing Steps
- The first step in obtaining your licensing in Indiana is to complete and submit your application for the appropriate level of licensing through the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. You can find links for the applications and instructions online at https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/behavioral-health-and-human-services/
- You will need to pay the $50 licensing fee when you submit the application.
- Once your application is approved, you can then go online to ASWB (www.aswb.org) to register to take your test. Please remember you MUST have approval from the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board before you register with ASWB to take your test.
License Renewal
- All licenses must be renewed by March 31 of even-numbered years.
- Typically, renewal requires 20 CE hours per year (40 per cycle) with at least 1 CEH per year designated as an Ethics CE.
- Additional details and an FAQ can be found on the Licensing Board's website here.
Licensure Laws and Regulations
If you wish to view the Indiana Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Mental Health Counselor Board Licensure Laws and Regulations, they are available at the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency website. Here you can also find information about the licensing board, its membership, and attending board meetings, which are open to the public.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) is the association of licensing boards that oversees social work and is the central resource for the information on the legal regulation of the social work profession. The ASWB provides a handbook designed to help you register for and take the ASWB social work licensing examination. Find out more about ASWB at: http://www.aswb.org/.