Social Work Licensure in Tennessee

Find Education Requirements in Tennessee for one of the following:

• LBSW
• LMSW
• LCSW
• LAPSW

With the Mississippi River forming its western border and the Appalachian Mountains dominating its eastern side, Tennessee is nestled into the middle of the Southeastern US. Famous for its music including the legendary birthplace of the Blues, Beale street in Memphis all showing Tennessee to have a rich history and culture. In addition to its natural beauty and history, Tennessee is also a great state to start your licensed Social Work career in. It is important to remember that there can always be updates or changes to a state’s rules and regulations. Remember, that the best way to stay informed with current regulations is the state’s website on licensure. Here is the website for the State of Tennessee:

There are four different kinds of social work licenses in Tennessee: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW).

Do you know your education options? Begin or continue a degree – AS, BS, MSW, MS, PhD, Cert. Online and campus locations. Know your degree choices!

Featured Programs:

Sponsored School(s)

Sponsored School(s)

All school search, finder, or match results, as well as colleges and universities displayed as "Featured School(s)" or "Sponsored Content" are advertisers that compensate us for placement on this site. The resources, editorial content, and school evaluations published on this site are developed independent of the schools that advertise here.

Southern New Hampshire University

Featured Program: Earn your BA in Human Services with concentrations in Child and Family Services; Substance Abuse and Gerontology.

Request Info

Grand Canyon University

Featured Program: Choose from a variety of online counseling degree programs at GCU, from our Bachelor of Science in Counseling to our counseling master's degrees, including the Christian-focused online counseling and addiction counseling degrees.

Request Info

Walden University

Featured Program: Earn you BA, MS or PhD degree in Human Services in various concentrations.

Request Info

Liberty University

Featured Program: Our 100% online master’s in human services counseling degree is designed to give you a solid foundation in the study of human behavior and equip you with the practical helping skills you need to make a lasting impact on those around you.

Request Info

Purdue Global

Featured Program: Courses in Purdue Global’s social and behavioral sciences programs are reviewed by professionals and industry leaders to help ensure your education keeps you competitive.

Request Info

Rasmussen University

Featured Program: Human Services Associate Degree; Human Services Bachelors Degree-Completion Program

Request Info

Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)

• If you wish to attain the title Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) in Tennessee, you must first get a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited university or college. You must pass a criminal background check.
• No field experience is required for this license.
• You must also pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Associate’s Level Exam.
• To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 18 contact hours (9 hours per year) of continuing education.
• Learn about The Bachelors Degree in Social Work (BSW)

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

• If you wish to attain the title Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Tennessee, you must first get a Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited university or college. You must pass a criminal background check.
• No field experience is required for this license.
• Finally, you must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Exam.
• To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 24 contact hours (12 hours per year) of continuing education.
• Learn about Tennessee Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Tennessee, you must first get your Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited university or college. You must pass a criminal background check.
• Upon applying for your license, you must provide verification of 3,000 hours of non-clinical Social Work practice. This must include 100 supervision hours. You must also complete a mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire and finish a six hour continuing education course for advanced generalist non-clinical supervision.
• You must then receive a passing score on an Association of Social Workers ASWB Advanced Generalist Level Exam.
• To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 30 contact hours (15 hours per year) of continuing education.
• Learn about The Doctorate Degree is Social Work (DSW)

Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW)

• If you wish to hold the title of Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW) in Tennessee, you must first get a Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited university or college. You must pass a criminal background check.
• Upon applying for your license, you must provide verification of 3,000 hours of non-clinical Social Work practice. This must include 100 supervision hours. You must also complete a mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire and finish a six hour continuing education course for advanced generalist non-clinical supervision.
• Once you have completed and sent in application you may apply with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) for their Clinical or Advanced Generalist Level exam. Once you pass the test you will be eligible to receive your new Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker in the state of Tennessee.
• To renew your license, you must have successfully completed 30 contact hours of continuing education.