Massachusetts licensing application processing

ASWB processes social work licensing applications on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers as authorized by the Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure.

Online application Update an existing application

  • Exam approval expiration

    Massachusetts approval to sit for the Social Work Licensing Exam expires one year after it is issued. Candidates who do not test within that one-year window or who are unsuccessful on the exam within that year will not be allowed to test without applying for a new approval.

    Approval from Massachusetts can not be extended.

Application types

New application
Applying for a license that you have not previously held in Massachusetts or in another state or province
New application requirements
Reciprocity
Applying for a license in Massachusetts based on an equivalent social work license in another state or province
Reciprocity instructions
Relicensure, less than 2 years
Re-applying for a Massachusetts social work license that has lapsed more than one year, but less than 2 years ago
Relicensure instructions, less than 2 years
Relicensure, more than 2 years
Re-applying for a Massachusetts social work license that has lapsed more than 2 years ago
Relicensure instructions, more than 2 years
Update application
If more than one year has passed without a passing examination score, the application must be updated to continue the licensure process.
Update application
  • All fees are nonrefundable

    Fees

    Application fees

    • New applicant (all licenses): US$173
    • Reciprocity: US$187-US$267 (varies by license)
    • Relicensure: US$153
    • Update application: US$50, plus applicable application fee

    Exam registration fees

    • Bachelors or Masters: US$230
    • Clinical or Advanced Generalist: US$260

    Licensure fees
    (due after exam and licensing requirements have been met)

    • LICSW: US$82
    • LCSW: US$68
    • LSW: US$54
    • LSWA: US$42

  • Massachusetts MassHealth enrollment requirement

    Section 6401 of the Affordable Care Act requires that, for MassHealth services that must be ordered, referred or prescribed, the provider who ordered, referred or prescribed the service must be enrolled with MassHealth for the claim for the service to be payable.

  • Nonstandard testing arrangements

    If you have a disability or other health condition or if English is not your primary language, you may be eligible to receive nonstandard testing arrangements.