Social work licensure in District of Columbia

Requirements last verified October 23, 2026 against the District of Columbia Board of Social Work, DC Health.

License levels

• LSWALicensed Social Work Associate

  Requires the ASWB Bachelors exam.

  The ASWB Bachelors examination.

• LGSWLicensed Graduate Social Worker

  No exam to get the license; before the first renewal, pass a national exam or complete 1,500 hours of supervised practice.

  Under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02, as amended by D.C. Law 26-7 (June 10, 2025), the LGSW is issued on a CSWE-accredited MSW or doctorate and is exempt from the examination. Before the first renewal you must pass a national examination or complete 1,500 hours of social work practice supervised by an LISW or LICSW. The board’s examination checklist still lists the Masters exam; its educational-pathway checklist asks only for the transcript.

• LISWLicensed Independent Social Worker

  Requires the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam.

  The Board’s checklist accepts the “ASWB Advanced examination or ASWB Masters examination” — Advanced is DC’s name for Advanced Generalist, and either is acceptable for this license.

• LICSWLicensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

  Requires the ASWB Clinical exam.

  The ASWB Clinical examination.

Worth knowing about District of Columbia

The District licenses by endorsement rather than by automatic reciprocity. Under 17 DCMR 7007, last amended March 6, 2026, you qualify if you first became licensed in the United States by passing an exam at the level you are applying for, and you hold a current license in good standing from a state or territory whose requirements were substantially equivalent when you were licensed. You need a verification sent directly by your original licensing board and certified results showing a pass on the required level of the national exam. Check the first condition before you apply: a license you received without an exam at that level does not meet it.

Common questions about District of Columbia

Which ASWB exam do I need for District of Columbia?

LSWA requires the ASWB Bachelors exam; LGSW: no exam to get the license; before the first renewal, pass a national exam or complete 1,500 hours of supervised practice; LISW requires the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam; LICSW requires the ASWB Clinical exam. Your board tells ASWB which category you are approved to take, so confirm with them before you register — registration fees are nonrefundable.

What social work licenses does District of Columbia issue?

LSWA (Licensed Social Work Associate); LGSW (Licensed Graduate Social Worker); LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker); LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker).

Is this information current?

These requirements were last checked against District of Columbia Board of Social Work, DC Health on 2026-10-23. Licensure rules change without much notice, so treat the board as the authority and this page as a starting point.