Georgia Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in GA
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Written by Janice Monti, Ph.D. | Edited by Victoria Hudgeons
Last Updated: July 2024
If you plan to become either a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Georgia, you need at least a master of social work (MSW) from an accredited program. The state does not offer a license credential for social workers at the bachelor’s level.
Explore this guide to learn about Georgia social work license requirements, the state’s accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) and MSW programs, license renewal and reciprocity regulations, and salary and career prospects.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Georgia Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists has the authority to establish and administer requirements for social work licensure, license maintenance, and license transfers. The board issues two levels of social work licenses: the LMSW and the clinical social work license (LCSW). Both licenses require that you complete at least an MSW degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Licensed Master Social Worker
With an LMSW license, you may provide evaluation, prevention, and intervention services, counseling services, and other supportive services. You may also supervise bachelor’s-level social workers. The LMSW permits you to engage in private practice after two years of supervision but is more restrictive in the scope of practice than the LCSW. LMSWs whose services include counseling or psychotherapeutic techniques must continue to practice under supervision until they qualify for the LCSW examination.
Georgia licensure requirements for LMSW include:
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Two professional references
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
The Georgia LCSW license authorizes holders to practice advanced clinical social work, assessing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral, mental, and emotional disorders. As an LCSW, you may provide supervision, psychosocial evaluations, and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. An LCSW finds employment in varied work settings, including schools, healthcare facilities, social service and counseling agencies, and private practice.
Georgia licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Two professional references
- 3,000 hours of postgraduate experience and 120 hours of supervision
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Georgia
Georgia does not offer social work license reciprocity with other states. If you are a licensed social worker in another state planning to relocate to Georgia, you must apply for a license by exam waiver.
Applicants for exam waiver licensure in Georgia must have passed the master’s exam for the LMSW license or the clinical exam for the LCSW credential. Both types of applications require two professional reference letters and a background check. LCSW applicants must submit a post-graduate directed experience verification form.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Georgia
Social work licenses in Georgia expire every two years on September 30. LMSW and LCSW license-holders may renew through the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists‘ licensing site, submitting either an online application or a paper application through the mail. The board charges a $100 renewal fee or a $150 late renewal fee.
License renewal requires at least 35 hours of continuing education within the two-year renewal period, including a minimum of five hours in professional ethics. You may complete a maximum of 10 hours of the total 35 hours through asynchronous online activities. However, all hours in ethics must be completed through live/synchronous activities. The board requires you to maintain documentation of your completed continuing education hours for four years.
BSW Programs Available in Georgia
- Albany State University — Albany (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $174 per credit hour in state; $647 per credit hour out of state
- Augusta University — Augusta (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $235 per credit hour in state; $779 per credit hour out of state
- Clark Atlanta University — Atlanta (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $11,743 per semester
- Dalton State College — Dalton (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $109 per credit hour in state; $414 per credit hour out of state
- Fort Valley State University — Fort Valley (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $170 per credit hour in state; $616 per credit hour out of state
- Georgia State University — Atlanta (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $306 per credit hour
- Middle Georgia State — Macon (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $174 per credit hour in state; $520 per credit hour out of state
- Point University — West Point (Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $410 per credit hour
- Savannah State University — Savannah (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $174 per credit hour in state; $646 per credit hour out of state
- Thomas University — Thomasville (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $475 per credit hour
- University of Georgia — Athens (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,017 per semester in state; $15,136 per semester out of state
MSW Programs Available in Georgia
- Albany State University — Albany (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth and Families
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $196 per credit hour in state; $800 per credit hour out of state
- Clark Atlanta University — Atlanta (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,008 per credit hour
- Georgia State University — Atlanta (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Community Development and Social Systems
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $408 per credit hour
- Kennesaw State University — Kennesaw (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $296 per credit hour in state; $1,066 per credit hour out of state
- Savannah State — Savannah (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $201 per credit hour in state; $762 per credit hour out of state
- University of Georgia — Athens (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work, Integrated Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $412 per credit hour in state; $1,182 per credit hour out of state
- Valdosta State University — Valdosta (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $270 per credit hour in state; $992 per credit hour out of state
Georgia Social Worker Career and Salary Information
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $54,440 | $26.18 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $77,160 | $37.10 |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social work positions across the U.S. are projected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the national average for all occupations. Although the average salary for U.S. social workers in May 2023 was $62,880, compensation varies by experience, location, and speciality. As this table indicates, social work salaries in Georgia range $50,810-$77,160. The highest paid social workers specialize in healthcare and other social work specialties, which include areas of criminal justice and corrections and occupational social work.
While social worker salaries in Georgia rank somewhat below the national average for this occupation, Georgia boasts a much lower cost of living than most states, making housing, transportation, and other necessities more affordable.
Social Work Associations in Georgia
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Georgia Chapter: Provides professional development opportunities, conferences and workshops, and job listings for positions in Georgia and nationally.
- Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work: Offers information on licensing; presents symposia, lectures, and workshops; and engages in legislative lobbying and advocacy on behalf of clinical practitioners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Georgia?
Georgia authorizes two levels of social work licenses, the LMSW and the LCSW. While you may find employment opportunities in the field with a bachelor’s degree, you must hold an MSW to practice as a licensed master or licensed clinical social worker.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Georgia?
The minimum educational requirement for a social work license in Georgia is an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Applicants must pay a $100 fee and, depending on the license level, pass the ASWB master’s exam or the clinical exam.
How much do social workers in Georgia make?
Social work salaries in Georgia depend on several factors, including specialty, type of license, and years of experience. According to BLS data for May 2023, social workers in Georgia can make between $50,800 to just over $77,000 annually.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Georgia?
After earning a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years, you must complete an MSW, which can add another two years to completion. Accelerated BSW/MSW programs that award credits for some of your undergraduate social work courses may shorten the time needed to complete your master’s program.
