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Washington licenses Clinical Social Workers through the Washington State Department of Health — Social Work Advisory Committee. 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 Washington State Department of Health — Social Work Advisory Committee.
Requires a master's degree in social work or a doctorate from a CSWE-accredited program. Verify exact degree requirements with the Washington State Department of Health.
Requires passing the ASWB Clinical examination. Verify the current exam requirement with the Washington State Department of Health.
Reported as a minimum of 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience (including roughly 800 hours of direct client contact and about 90 hours of supervision by a qualified LICSW/LASW). Verify exact hours, breakdown, and supervisor qualifications with the Washington State Department of Health.
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.
Washington has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. Once the compact is operational, eligible clinical social workers may obtain a privilege to practice across member states; enacting states are still standing up the commission and may not yet be issuing privileges. Verify current status with the Washington State Department of Health and at swcompact.org.
Washington 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 Washington State Department of Health — Social Work Advisory Committee.
Telehealth social work practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Washington State Department of Health — Social Work Advisory Committee.
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.