Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Jobs & Career Guide 2023

What is an LCSW?

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) help clients overcome problems in their life by identifying illnesses, problematic behaviors, and unsafe environments. You will work with different clients and offer therapy, assess and diagnose mental health issues, and create a treatment plan.

In most work settings, licensed clinical social workers will have a caseload of various clients. Clients may range from young children to senior citizens depending on the workplace. Organization, adaptability, and empathy are vital skills that predict success in social work.

What is an LCSW responsible for?

A huge part of a Social Worker’s responsibility is to connect clients with available human resources and organizations to support them during difficult times. Social Workers counsel individuals and families going through crisis; often helping clients deal with poverty, loss, and illness. They ensure the most vulnerable in society are safeguarded from harm.

Social Workers can expect to do some or all the following while working:

• Identify individuals who need help
• Assess an individual’s situation and review their needs, strengths, and support systems
• Help clients manage challenges in their lives
• Create a plan to improve a client’s situation
• Research and provide information on community resources, such as food stamps, child care, assisted living, and health-care services
• Work with government agencies to help clients apply for available benefits such as Medicare and Medicaid
• Respond to crisis situations, including domestic violence and child abuse
• Visit schools to assess academic concerns
• Arrange home visits to evaluate a client’s health, home environment, and family interaction
• Conduct interviews and follow-ups with clients to ensure the plan for improvement is effective
• Maintain accurate reports and records
• Prepare cases for legal action
• Provide witness services and evidence in court cases

Where do Licensed Clinical Social Workers work?

Social Workers work with people in a variety of environments.

They may work in academia, research, human services, chemical dependency, or mental-health care settings. Some social work jobs exclusively counsel children while others may focus on people with disabilities. Clinical Social Workers perform their jobs in hospitals and mental-health care settings. Administrative Social Workers make policy changes and improvements to help ensure total system well-being by planning for the future.

A Day in the Life of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

If you’re exploring the idea of a career in social work, you may be curious about what a day in the life of an LCSW looks like. Given the wide range of work available, it can be tricky to determine precisely what a typical day looks like.

However, it can be assumed that most of a licensed clinical social worker’s day is spent meeting with clients. What does meeting with clients look like? In most cases, you will be administering therapy to your clients. Expect the unexpected! Each session will likely be wildly different from the last, and applying other techniques to different clients depending on their needs is important.

What are some common issues your client might be dealing with? While each client is different, some problems could include depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and abuse. It’s imperative that LCSWs exercise patience, empathy, and care for each of their clients. Beyond possessing those baseline skills, you will be educated on how to best help your clients and any issues they suffer from.

Beyond offering therapy services and connecting patients to resources, licensed clinical social workers also spend a good portion of their day doing paperwork. This includes documenting progress in therapy and other notes to keep your caseload organized.

In some circumstances, licensed clinical social workers may collaborate with other mental health professionals, doctors, educators, and legal counsel.

How to become an LCSW

How long does it take to become an LCSW?

The time it takes to become an LCSW can vary depending on the individual’s education and work experience. A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) typically takes four years to complete, while a master’s degree in social work (MSW) can take one to two years.

After completing the necessary education and supervised clinical experience, candidates must pass the required licensing exam. Overall, it can take anywhere from six to eight years to become an LCSW.

Education Requirements

As a requirement, a master’s degree in social work from a two-year accredited program recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the minimum requirement for becoming an LCSW.

Many programs offer specialized concentrations geared toward becoming an LCSW. However, in some states, individuals must complete additional coursework beyond the standard requirements for a degree.

Admission to a master’s program in social work does not require but strongly suggests a bachelor’s degree in social work. Those with degrees in relevant fields are also recognized, and sociology, economics, and political science are among the often studied subjects. For those with a social work bachelor’s degree, several universities offer an expedited master’s program.

Regardless, BSW degree programs require at least 400 supervised field experience hours. The experience gives students an idea of what working with clients is like. After getting a BSW degree, students can choose an advanced-standing MSW program. Some online BSW programs are available for people with personal obligations that prevent in-person learning.

Clinical social workers must finish supervised training and get real-world experience in a clinical environment after receiving a master’s degree in social work. The length of the clinical training period varies by state, but it generally takes several years to complete.

It is essential to becoming an LCSW, providing social workers with the hands-on experience they need to evaluate and assist clients effectively.

Aspiring LCSWs must gain experience working with vulnerable populations, such as those in hospitals, community centers, schools, nursing homes, or homeless shelters. During this time, LCSWs need to hone their skills by providing counseling services under the supervision of experienced professionals and developing relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Certification and Licensing

Achieving licensure as an LCSW is a significant milestone in social work, enabling practitioners to provide mental health services.

Each jurisdiction’s social work regulatory body sets the rules and regulations for professional practice and administers disciplinary actions, including license revocations. Prospective LCSWs must pass the relevant social work test, which comprises 170 multiple-choice questions and is given by the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB). The exam is given on a Pearson VUE computer with a four-hour time limit. 

Licensure for LCSWs typically requires two years or 3000 hours of supervised experience after completing their master’s degree. 

The ASWB examination categories include Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Generalist, and Clinical, with exam fees ranging from US$230 to US$260. The exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge and skills related to social work practice, and passing it is a crucial step in obtaining an LCSW license.

Nonetheless, only 150 of the 170 questions on the exam count towards the final score, with the remaining 20 being pretested for possible inclusion on future exams.

In addition, most jurisdictions require those seeking licensure as an LCSW to have their backgrounds scrutinized before being authorized by the state licensing board. This ensures that those practicing clinically have no history of criminal activity or other behavior deemed unprofessional by the board’s standards.

Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education is essential for social workers to develop their professional skills and stay up-to-date with new information and practices. In fact, to maintain your practice as an LCSW, it is crucial to fulfill continuing education obligations and renew your license according to your state’s renewal guidelines. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the inability to continue practicing.

For LCSWs, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Standards for Continuing Professional Education serve as a guide for matching their continuing education activities with professional expectations. Most states require social workers to complete specific continuing education hours to maintain their licensure. NASW chapters have established programs recognizing social workers’ commitment to continuing education.

The content areas for continuing education cover diverse topics such as educational levels and intervention methods, administration, management, supervision, research, social problems, cultural diversity, ethics, and specialized services and treatment. 

LCSWs are required to complete 48 hours of continuing professional education every two years. These can be formally organized learning events, professional meetings, and individual professional activities. LCSWs with expertise in specific areas can also provide direct continuing education to their peers.

To ensure continuing education quality, LCSWs must contribute to developing continuing professional education activities within their community or state. They can participate in an NASW or accredited program committee, make recommendations to education providers, communicate with providers on meeting educational needs, submit evaluations after activities, and provide education in their areas of expertise.

Furthermore, aspiring LCSWs have access to various resources that can provide support and guidance on the path to licensure. Professional organizations and associations, such as NASW, offer members access to information about licensing requirements, job postings, and networking events. 

Online courses and training programs provide convenient ways to complete required coursework and offer valuable study materials for the ASWB exam. These resources can be invaluable for those seeking to become an LCSW, providing access to critical information, support, and opportunities for professional growth.

Social worker career paths

Social Workers make a difference in their clients’ lives. Compassion and dedication are key character traits in this career choice. There are a variety of positions across many fields of industry for those interested in becoming a Social Worker.

Here are just a few of the career options available to those interested in the field:

Medical and Public Health

In the medical field, Social Workers are in high demand. Medical and public health Social Workers provide care to patients in facilities. These may work in hospitals, emergency rooms, hospices, or rehabilitation centers. Some prefer providing support in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or home-health agencies.  A Social Worker in this field counsel’s patients and ensures their needs are taken care of. They act as a liaison between patients, families, and caregivers; providing information and assisting with decision-making and completion of associated paperwork.

Mental Health

People who live with mental health issues often struggle to function normally in their daily lives. A mental health Social Worker provides support and resources to those affected by these issues. They typically work very closely with a team of other mental-health professionals to support individuals and their family members. Mental health Social Workers help clients find employment, apply for economic assistance, and sometimes act as a legal representative in situations of abuse or discrimination. A mental health Social Worker monitors clients’ progress and evaluates treatment plans for effectiveness. If they find the plan is not effective, they will suggest changes to treatment plans, assist with finding new providers or locate facilities to better serve the client.

See also; our guide to psychiatric social worker jobs

Substance Abuse

Social Workers who specialize in addiction, work with clients in a variety of industries. Employment opportunities are plentiful and include rehabilitation centers, private practices, prisons, non-profit organizations, and juvenile detentions facilities. Clients struggling with addiction often experience dramatic mood swings, anger issues, and relapses. A compassionate, patient, and dedicated counselor can often make a difference between recovery or relapse. Part of the rehab process is counseling the client and their family members, as well as identifying treatment options best suited for the client. Many Substance Abuse counselors manage outreach programs to help educate the public about the dangers of addiction.

See also; addiction counselor careers

School Counselor

Today’s school counselors help students with academic achievement, personal and social development, and career development. They spend their time in service to students, guiding them through the school curriculum and providing counseling as needed. A school counselor is focused on ensuring individual success. Students can be from very strong families, dealing with abuse or they can be homeless. They may be academic high-achievers, or may struggle with basic scholastic skills. Counselors provide support and strategies to help students navigate their academic environment and offer resources to assist with their future education and/or career opportunities.

Child Welfare

Social Workers in child welfare are responsible for investigating allegations of abuse and neglect and identifying and locating children in poor living conditions. They protect children from harm and advocate for children who may otherwise have no voice. Child  Welfare Social Workers interview guardians, teachers, and other professionals to ensure the child remains healthy and nourished, and that necessities of life are met. When there are deficiencies in the home environment, the Social Worker liaisons with public and private agencies and facilitates resources as needed. They document all conditions, services, family interactions, and other social circumstances, using that information to develop a plan to keep the child safe and ensure their physical, emotional, and social needs are met. Child welfare counselors assist in legal matters, including preparing documentation of abuse for court issues and testifying in child neglect, endangerment, and abuse cases.

Clinical Social Workers

Clinical Social Workers diagnose and treat mental and behavioral disorders. They also diagnose and manage emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression. A clinical Social Worker provides may conduct individual, group, couple, or family therapy sessions. The clinician works with clients to develop strategies and plans to improve behavior and cope with emotional situations. Clinical Social Workers collaborate with physicians and other health-care professionals to identify resources and programs that will benefit a patient’s condition and improve their quality of life. Some clinical Social Workers opt to be in private practice or facilities with other health-care providers

What Is a Typical Salary for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker?

Social Workers earn an average of $47,000 per year, however this salary varies widely by location, degree, experience, and position.

The national average salary for a licensed clinical social worker is $58,000.

Historically, licensed clinical social workers are paid the most in California, the District of Columbia, and Connecticut. See our LCSW salary guide for more insights.