Licensure Guide · 2027 Edition
Kentucky Social Work Licensing: CSW, LSW, and LCSW
Kentucky licenses social workers at three levels — CSW, LSW, and LCSW — through the Kentucky Board of Social Work. Every level starts with the same foundation: an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Here is what each license requires, and how to choose a program that keeps every door open.
The three Kentucky social work licenses
Kentucky licenses social workers at three levels through the Kentucky Board of Social Work: CSW (Certified Social Worker), LSW (Licensed Social Worker), and LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program is the education requirement at every level — which is why this census verifies CSWE status for all 9 programs and excludes the unaccredited one.
| License | Degree required | ASWB exam | Supervised experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | None required | Not required |
| LSW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | Master's | Not required for initial license |
| LCSW | MSW (CSWE-accredited) | Clinical | 2 years post-master’s supervised clinical experience, including 200 documented supervision hours (201 KAR 23:025) |
| Verdict: the MSW is the degree that unlocks all three Kentucky credentials. The CSW is the exam-free entry credential; the LSW adds the ASWB master’s exam; the LCSW adds independent clinical practice after two supervised years. | |||
Path 1: Certified Social Worker (CSW)
The CSW is Kentucky’s entry-level credential for MSW graduates: it requires a master’s degree in social work from an accredited program, but no examination. It is the credential graduates can pursue immediately after the degree, before sitting for the ASWB exam.
Confirm current application steps and fees with the Kentucky Board of Social Work before applying — administrative details change.
Path 2: Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The LSW is the license most MSW graduates pursue first. The core requirements per KRS 335.100: (1) an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program — which is why every program in this census lists its CSWE status; (2) a passing score on the ASWB Master’s exam; and (3) the board’s application.
Because the LSW requires an accredited degree, graduates of unaccredited programs — including Kentucky State University’s MSW, excluded from this census — face licensure barriers in Kentucky. Confirm current requirements with the board before making plans.
Path 3: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is Kentucky’s clinical credential — required for independent clinical practice, diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, and private practice. Beyond the MSW and the ASWB Clinical exam, it requires two years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience, including 200 documented hours of supervision under an approved supervisor per 201 KAR 23:025.
Plan your field placements accordingly: if the LCSW is your goal, favor programs with strong clinical preparation and field sites in behavioral health settings — the supervised hours accumulate faster where clinical work is the daily practice. Licensing rules move: confirm current hour, supervision, and exam requirements with the Kentucky Board of Social Work before you plan around them.
How the license path should shape your program choice
Two program attributes matter for licensing. First, CSWE accreditation: Kentucky requires an accredited degree for the CSW, LSW, and LCSW. All 9 programs in this census are fully accredited; the one Kentucky MSW that isn’t (Kentucky State University) is excluded here precisely because its graduates face licensure barriers.
Second, clinical preparation: if the LCSW is your goal, favor programs with strong clinical concentrations and field placements in behavioral health settings — NKU’s Clinical Behavioral Health and Community Practice specialization, Campbellsville’s clinical focus area, and Brescia’s therapy preparation are the census’s clearest clinical identities.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do I need for the Kentucky LSW?
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, plus a passing score on the ASWB Master’s exam and the board application. All 9 programs in this census are fully CSWE-accredited.
How long does it take to become an LCSW in Kentucky?
After the MSW (1–2 years), plan on two years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience — including 200 documented supervision hours per 201 KAR 23:025 — plus the ASWB Clinical exam: roughly 3–4 years after starting the MSW.
What is the difference between the Kentucky CSW and LSW?
The CSW (Certified Social Worker) requires an accredited MSW but no examination — it is the entry credential. The LSW (Licensed Social Worker) adds the ASWB Master’s exam. Both sit below the LCSW, which requires the clinical exam and two years of supervised clinical experience.
Does an online MSW qualify for Kentucky licensure?
Yes — Kentucky’s requirements turn on CSWE accreditation, not delivery format. An online MSW from a CSWE-accredited program meets the education requirement for the CSW, LSW, and LCSW the same as a campus degree.
Can I get licensed in Kentucky with a degree from an unaccredited program?
Kentucky requires an accredited social work degree for its licenses, so graduates of unaccredited programs face real barriers — this is why this census excludes Kentucky State University’s MSW (its own catalog discloses it is not currently CSWE-accredited) rather than ranking it.