Wisconsin Social Work License Requirements
In the tables below are consolidated information for social work licenses in Wisconsin. Social Work Supervisor.com has summarized this information to make it simple for social workers to understand.
All information presented can be found at the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. We review and update our social work license information for Wisconsin on a periodic basis.
Wisconsin CISW and LCSW Licenses
In Wisconsin the clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the generalist license is the Certified Independent Social Worker (CISW). Both licenses require the Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW) credential first followed by supervision. The LCSW requires passing the ASWB Clinical exam, while the CISW requires passing the Advanced Generalist ASWB exam. This information can be found in the tables below.
WIsconsin License
Requirements
- Degree needed to qualify for each license. IMPORTANT: Degree must be from a school accredited by the Counsel on Social Work Education.Degree Requirement
- License required to qualify for the next license level: You must have this license to qualitfy for the next license.Base License/Certification Requirement
- Paid clinical work experience needed to qualify for the license.Social Work Experience Requirement
- IMPORTANT: Most state social work boards require minimum standards for supervisors. At Social Work Supervisor.com we require that supervisors attest they meet state requirments before they can list with us. Social Work Supervision
- Required supervision time with supervisorSocial Work Supervison Requirements
- Required Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam to qualify for the license. ASWB Social Work Exam Requirements
- State social work board license application fee.Application Fee
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam fee ASWB Social work Exam Fee
- After the exam is passed this is the fee paid to the board to get your licenseLicense Fee
- Period in which your license is valid before you must renew.Renewal Period
- Number of continuing education units (called CEUs or CEs) required for license renewalContinuing Education Requirements
- Fee paid to the board for license renewalRenewal Fee
- State Boards review and change license information on a regular basis. Stay up to date by clicking "receive updates" directly to the right. Free State Board Monitoring Service
Wisconsin
CISW
- Masters or Doctorate Degree from an Accredited School of Social Work
- CAPSW
- 3000 hours of social work experience in no less than 2 years
- Click here to find a Social Work Supervisor in your areaWisconsin Licensed Behavioral Health Professional Supervisor
Find Wisconsin Social Work Supervision - Supervision 1 time per week in either face-to-face group or individual format
- Click here for specific information on the ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam1) Pass Wisconsin State Open Book Exam with 85% 2) Pass ASWB Advanced Generalist ASWB Exam
More information for this Social Work Exam - $75 Initial Crediential fee, $75 Statute & Rule Exam Fee, $15 exam contract fee (total $165) to Wisconsin SW Board
- $260 to ASWB
- Within Application Fee
- Every 2 Years
- 30 CEU hours: 4 hours must be in Ethics and Boundary Issues
- $85 to Wisconsin SW Board
- Get License Updates Newsletter Sign Up - License and Certification Updates
Wisconsin
LCSW
- Masters or Doctorate Degree from an Accredited School of Social Work
- CAPSW or CISW
- 3000 hours of clinical social work experience including 1000 hours of face-to-face client contact in no less than 2 years. The experience must include DSM diagnosis and treatment
- Click here to find a Social Work Supervisor in your areaWisconsin LCSW with 5 years experience, Psychologist or Psychiatrist
Find Wisconsin Social Work Supervision - Supervision 1 time per week in either face-to-face group or individual format
- Click here for specific information on the ASWB Clinical Exam1) Pass Wisconsin State Open Book Exam with 85% 2) Pass ASWB Exam with a passing score of 70
More information for this Social Work Exam - $75 Initial Crediential fee, $75 Statute & Rule Exam Fee, $15 exam contract fee (total $165) to Wisconsin SW Board
- $260 to ASWB
- Within Application Fee
- Every 2 years
- 30 CEU hours: 4 hours must be in Ethics and Boundary Issues
- $85 to Wisconsin SW Board
- Get License Updates Newsletter Sign Up - License and Certification Updates
Wisconsin CAPSW and CSW Certifications
In Wisconsin the two base level credentials are the Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW) credential and the Certified Social Worker (CSW). Upon graduation with a bachelors degree in social work the CSW can be applied for through the Wisconsin Social Work Board. Upon graduation with a masters in social Work you can apply for the CAPSW. Both certifications require passing the appropriate ASWB exam. This information is summarized in the table below.
Wisconsin License
Requirements
- Degree needed to qualify for each license. IMPORTANT: Degree must be from a school accredited by the Counsel on Social Work Education.Degree Requirement
- License required to qualify for the next license level: You must have this license to qualitfy for the next license.Base License Requirement
- Paid clinical work experience needed to qualify for the license.Clinical Hour Requirement
- IMPORTANT: Most state social work boards require minimum standards for supervisors. At Social Work Supervisor.com we require that supervisors attest they meet state requirments before they can list with us. Clinical Supervisor Required
- Required supervision time with supervisorClinical Supervision Requirements
- Required Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam to qualify for the license. Clinical Exam Requirements
- State social work board license application fee.Application Fee
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam fee Exam Fee
- After the exam is passed this is the fee paid to the board to get your licenseLicense Fee
- Period in which your license is valid before you must renew.Renewal Period
- Number of continuing education units (called CEUs or CEs) required for license renewalContinuing Education Requirements
- Fee paid to the board for license renewalRenewal Fee
- State Boards review and change license information on a regular basis. Stay up to date by clicking "receive updates" directly to the right. Free State Board Monitoring Service
Wisconsin
CSW
- Bachelors Degree from and Accredited School of Social Work
- None
- None
- None
- None
- Click here for specific information on the ASWB Bachelors Exam1) Pass Wisconsin State Open Book Exam with 85% 2) Pass ASWB Exam
More information for this Social Work Exam - $75 Initial Crediential fee, $75 Statute & Rule Exam Fee, $15 exam contract fee (total $165) to Wisconsin SW Board
- $230 to ASWB
- Within Application Fee
- Every 2 years
- 30 CEU's: must include 4 hours of in person Boundary and Ethic training
- $85 to the Wisconsin State Board
- Get License Updates Newsletter Sign Up - License and Certification Updates
Wisconsin
CAPSW
- Masters or Doctorate Degree from an Accredited School of Social Work
- None
- None
- None
- None
- Click here for specific information on the ASWB Masters Exam1) Pass Wisconsin State Open Book Exam with 85% 2) Pass ASWB Exam
More information for this Social Work Exam - $75 Initial Crediential fee, $75 Statute & Rule Exam Fee, $15 exam contract fee (total $165) to Wisconsin SW Board
- $230 to ASWB
- Within Application Fee
- Every 2 years
- 30 CEU's: must include 4 hours of in person Boundary and Ethic training
- $85 to the Wisconsin State Board
- Get License Updates Newsletter Sign Up - License and Certification Updates
Wisconsin Social Work Training Certificate (SWT)
In Wisconsin it is possible to gain a social work credential with a bachelors degree that is in a related field other than social work. These fields include psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or other human service programs. Information on the Social Work Training Certificate (SWT) is listed in the table below.
Wisconsin License
Requirements
- Degree needed to qualify for each license. IMPORTANT: Degree must be from a school accredited by the Counsel on Social Work Education.Degree Requirement
- License required to qualify for the next license level: You must have this license to qualitfy for the next license.Base License Requirement
- Paid clinical work experience needed to qualify for the license.Work Hour Requirement
- IMPORTANT: Most state social work boards require minimum standards for supervisors. At Social Work Supervisor.com we require that supervisors attest they meet state requirments before they can list with us. Clinical Supervisor Required
- Required supervision time with supervisorClinical Supervision Requirements
- Required Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam to qualify for the license. Clinical Exam Requirements
- State social work board license application fee.Application Fee
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam fee Exam Fee
- After the exam is passed this is the fee paid to the board to get your licenseLicense Fee
- Period in which your license is valid before you must renew.Renewal Period
- Number of continuing education units (called CEUs or CEs) required for license renewalContinuing Education Requirements
- Fee paid to the board for license renewalRenewal Fee
- State Boards review and change license information on a regular basis. Stay up to date by clicking "receive updates" directly to the right. Free State Board Monitoring Service
Wisconsin
SWT
- Degree in a related field to social work. Course requirements include social work welfare and policy, social work practice methods, and human behavior in the social environmnet
- None
- 400 hours of human service if not completed as part of a social work degree program, or one year of supervised social work employment
- BSW or MSW and a Wisconsin social work certification or license
Find Wisconsin Social Work Supervision - Ongoing for one year
- ASWB Bachelors Social Work Exam and the Wisconsin State Statutes and Administrative Rules Exam
More information for this Social Work Exam - $10 application fee
- $230 to ASWB
- None
- The SWT Is valid for two years and may not be renewed
- Compliance with course work requirments
- N/A
- Get License Updates Newsletter Sign Up - License and Certification Updates
Wisconsin Social Work License Applications and Questions
Application Forms for Social Work License in Wisconsin
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Application
Certified Independent Social Worker (CISW): Application
Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW): Application
Certified Social Worker (CSW): Application
Certified Social Worker (SWT): Application
Wisconsin Social Work Board
Examining Bd. of MFTs, Prof. Counselors & SWs
Department of Regulation & Licensing
PO Box 8935
1400 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53708-8935
608-266-2112
Click a Wisconsin County Below to Find a Supervisor in Your Area