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New Jersey licenses Clinical Social Workers through the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs). The clinical license generally requires a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, a period of post-degree supervised clinical experience, and a passing score on the ASWB Clinical examination. Verify current licensing, Social Work Licensure Compact, supervised-experience, renewal, and continuing-education requirements directly with the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs).
Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Verify exact education requirements with the NJ State Board of Social Work Examiners.
ASWB Clinical level examination. Verify exam requirements with the NJ State Board of Social Work Examiners.
Two years of full-time clinical social work defined as 3,000 hours under direct supervision after the MSW, completed in no less than two and no more than four years; at least 1,920 hours must be face-to-face client contact, half of which is psychotherapeutic counseling. Verify exact hours and supervision rules with the NJ State Board of Social Work Examiners.
The state has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. Once the compact is operational, eligible clinical social workers will be able to obtain the authority to practice (in person and via telehealth) across participating states without a separate full license in each one. Enacting states are still standing up the compact commission and may not yet be issuing privileges.
New Jersey has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (member listing per swcompact.org; enacted 2025), though multistate licenses are not yet being issued during the implementation period. Verify current status and effective date with swcompact.org and the NJ State Board of Social Work Examiners.
New Jersey has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. License portability may be available by endorsement and, where the state participates, through the Social Work Licensure Compact. Verify endorsement eligibility and compact participation with the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs).
Telehealth social work practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs).
This guide is for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, licensing, or employment advice. Clinical social work licensing laws, board rules, education and examination requirements, Social Work Licensure Compact participation, supervised-experience rules, and renewal/continuing-education requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the official state social work licensing board.