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State Board of Social Work Examiners: Applications and Forms

Licensing Requirements:

Which License Should You Apply For?

SWP (Provisional License)

  • For individuals working solely for a Residential Child Care Facility (RCF)

LSW (Original License by Examination)

  • For applicants obtaining first-time licensure after completing their MSW
  • Requires passage of the ASWB Masters Exam
  • May be obtained for completing the required two years of post-degree supervised experience before applying for LCSW
  • LSW FAQ

LCSW/CSW (Original License by Examination)

  • For applicants obtaining licensure at the highest, independent level as a "first-timer"
  • Must have completed ASWB Exam (requires ASWB Clinical exam) and Post-Degree hours

LSW/CSW (Original License by Endorsement)

  • For applicants licensed as a social worker in another state (level must be equivalent to CO level license)

Social Work Candidate Permit (SWC ) Applications and Forms

Original License by Examination

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

You have just graduated with your MSW from a CSWE-approved program and/or still need to complete required post-degree supervised experience. LSW licensure requires:

  • Completion and submission of application packet and application processing fee;
  • Passage of ASWB Masters examination (the Advanced Generalist exam is no longer accepted in Colorado for an LSW license & has not been accepted since July 1, 2019 per ASWB). The Clinical Exam is not permitted for new examination approvals from ASWB as of July 1, 2022;
  • Completion of a Healthcare Professions Profile (HPPP); and
  • Passage of the Colorado Mental Health Professions online Jurisprudence Examination.
  • LSW FAQ

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

You have completed all post-degree supervised experience and wish to be licensed at a clinical, independent level. LCSW licensure requires:

  • Completion and submission of application packet and application processing fee;
  • Passage of ASWB Clinical examination - the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam is no loner accepted for LCSW licensure (& hasn't been since 7/1/2019 per ASWB;
  • Completion and documentation of 3,360 hours of experience over a minimum of 24 months; to include 96 hours of supervision, 48 hours which must be face-to-face individual supervision, distributed evenly over 24 months;
  • Completion of a Healthcare Professions Profile (HPPP); and
  • Passage of the current Colorado Mental Health Professions online Jurisprudence Examination.
Original License by Endorsement

You hold an equivalent license in another state and wish to apply for licensure by endorsement in Colorado. The license level MUST be equivalent to apply by endorsement (see requirements listed above by examination and the Social Work Board Rules for exemptions).

Licensed Social Worker (LSW): You may apply for LSW by endorsement if you wish to practice at the master's level, and/or still need to complete required post-degree supervised experience.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): You may apply for LCSW by endorsement if licensed to practice at the clinical/independent level in another state.

Provisional Licensure

Provisional licensure is available to marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists and social workers who have education appropriate to their fields and who work under supervision in a residential child care facility.

Detailed information about licensure can be found in the applications for provisional licensure. Information on the history of the restructuring of residential treatment centers and further defining residential child care facilities is noted in House Bill 06-1395.

Forms: All Social Work applications and forms are available below:

Communication from the Division: The Division of Professions and Occupations\' primary communication is via email. Please be sure to include your current email address on your application to receive important information about your application status and process.

License Expiration Bump Period for New Applicants: All new applicants who are issued a license within 120 days of the upcoming renewal expiration date will be issued a license with the next expiration date.

License Renewal Information: All Social Worker licenses expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years. View your expiration date on your online account. Please note that renewals open approximately six weeks prior to the expiration date.