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Updating your application

Completed Massachusetts licensure applications expire after one year. If you completed your application but did not register for and take the licensing exam within that one year period, use the instructions below update your application.

To update your application, you must submit:

  • Professional references (see chart below)
  • A criminal history acknowledgment form (PDF) must be notarized, signed with corresponding dates, and uploaded to your licensure application in the online application portal.

You will be notified when the application has been approved or needs further attention. If approved, you will receive information regarding registering for the ASWB examination. You may not register for the exam until your application has been approved.

Payments

The fee for updating an existing application is $50.

When you submit your application update online, you must email mass.sw.app@aswb.org with acknowledgement to pay the $50 fee.

If you previously applied for the incorrect license category, differences in fees may apply and ASWB will advise you of the cost to cover any additional payments.

 

Update your application

 

 

 

License

Professional reference requirements

All references must be qualified to evaluate the applicant’s social work experience.
LICSW
  • Two professional references.
  • One reference must be an LICSW (or equivalent in another jurisdiction).
  • The other reference may be an LMHC, LMFT, psychiatry, psychology, or psychiatric nurse with a specialty in clinical mental health.
  • Do not submit the individual who documented your required supervision.
  • List the supervisor from your previous application. ASWB will review the supervision documentation that was previously accepted.
LCSW
  • Two professional references.
  • One professional reference must be either an LICSW or LCSW (or equivalent in another jurisdiction).
  • Do not submit your most recent advanced field placement as a professional reference.
  • List the supervisor from your previous application. ASWB will review the supervision documentation that was previously accepted.
LSW
  • Two professional references.
  • One professional reference must be an LICSW or LCSW (or equivalent in another jurisdiction).
  • Do not submit your field placement supervisory reference or the individual who documented your required supervision.
  • List the supervisor from your previous application. ASWB will review the supervision documentation that was previously accepted.
LSWA
  • Three professional references.
  • One professional reference must be licensed at the LICSW or LCSW level (or equivalent in another jurisdiction).
  • Please do not submit the individual who documented supervision (if applicable).
  • List the supervisor from your previous application. ASWB will review the supervision documentation that was previously accepted.
Reciprocity
All licenses
  • Two professional references.
  • LCSW, LSW and LSWA applicants: at least one reference must be an LICSW or LCSW (or equivalent in another jurisdiction).
  • LICSW applicants: at least one reference must be licensed an LICSW (or equivalent in another jurisdiction).
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ASWB offices closed

In observance of the winter holidays,  ASWB offices will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 through Thursday, January 1. Please note that some activities may experience processing delays during this time period.

Most registrations, scheduling, and score reporting will continue through ASWBCentral. Requests requiring staff attention will be processed when we return in January.