Kentucky Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in KY
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Written by James M. Tobin | Edited by Victoria Hudgeons
Updated July 2024
Kentucky’s social work license requirements cover three different licensing categories. Qualifications vary by category, creating a common point of confusion for emerging professionals.
This licensing guide explains the requirements associated with each licensure type. You can also find information about interstate reciprocity, renewal requirements, and degree programs recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Use this guide to plan your licensing journey toward becoming a social worker in Kentucky.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Kentucky Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Board of Social Work oversees Kentucky’s social work licensing process. Under the board’s guidelines, Kentucky recognizes three licensure categories:
- Licensed social worker (LSW)
- Certified social worker (CSW)
- Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
You need at least a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) to become an LSW in Kentucky. However, the CSW and LCSW categories each require a minimum of a master of social work (MSW).
Additional requirements also apply, which vary by licensure category. The subsections below offer further details on the Kentucky social work license requirements for each of the three levels.
Licensed Social Worker
The LSW designation is a basic social work license primarily held by entry-level professionals. LSW license-holders can provide essential non-clinical human services under the supervision of a social worker licensed at a higher level. They also perform administrative support duties and may participate in policy analysis and advocacy.
Kentucky licensure requirements for an LSW include:
- CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare, or a bachelor’s degree in any field, plus completion of equivalent social work courses as determined by the board
- Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelors exam
Certified Social Worker
The CSW designation represents a higher professional practice level. You must have an advanced degree to earn this license.
As a CSW, you can practice clinical social work duties by forming a contractual partnership with a board-recognized LCSW. Clinical social work duties include assessing, diagnosing, and recommending treatments for behavioral, emotional, and mental health disorders.
Kentucky licensure requirements for a CSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
The LCSW designation is the highest level of social work licensure available in Kentucky. LCSWs can practice both non-clinical and clinical social work duties with no additional supervision.
After two or more years of clinical social work experience and additional training, you can also become an LCSW supervisor. As a supervisor, you can oversee and help train lower-level licensees as they perform clinical duties.
Kentucky licensure requirements for an LCSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Minimum of two years of full-time, post-master’s experience OR three years of part-time, post-master’s experience
- Documentation of 150 hours of supervision by an LCSW
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Kentucky
Kentucky social work license requirements do not recognize any form of interstate reciprocity. If you hold a social work license from another state, you must apply to the Kentucky Board of Social Work to obtain a Kentucky license.
The board evaluates your educational credentials, work experience, and ASWB exam scores. Kentucky does not accept the ASWB advanced generalist exam. Instead, you must have a passing score on the bachelors, masters, or clinical examination category or categories, as required by the level of Kentucky license you’re seeking.
Additional requirements apply to out-of-state professionals applying for an LCSW license in Kentucky. You must have at least two years of clinical social work experience, including 150 hours of documented supervised experience by a social worker who has been licensed in a clinical capacity for at least two years.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Kentucky
Kentucky social work licenses operate on three-year renewal cycles, beginning from the date the board issued your initial license. The board processes renewal requests online through a dedicated service portal.
Continuing education (CE) requirements apply to all three licensing levels. LSWs must complete at least 15 hours of CE hours per renewal period to remain licensed at the same level. CSWs and LCSWs both require at least 30 CE hours.
To document your CE hours, you must obtain a certificate of completion from the continuing education provider. For precise technical details, refer to the legal guidelines explained by the Kentucky General Assembly.
BSW Programs Available in Kentucky
- Asbury University — Wilmore (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $33,072 per year
- Brescia University — Owensboro (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $450 per credit hour (online); $700 per credit hour (on campus)
- Campbellsville University — Campbellsville, Louisville, Somerset, Harrodsburg (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $424 per credit hour (online); $1,104 per credit hour (on campus)
- Eastern Kentucky University — Richmond (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $443 per credit hour (online); $418 per credit hour (on campus, in state), $872 per credit hour (on campus, out of state)
- Kentucky State University — Frankfort (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $344 per credit hour (in state); $522 per credit hour (out of state)
- Morehead State University — Mt. Sterling, Prestonsburg, Ashland, Morehead (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,852 per semester (in state); $7,333 per semester (out of state)
- Murray State University — Murray, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Paducah, Ft. Campbell (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $405 per credit hour (in state); $428 per credit hour (reciprocity states), $614 (out of state)
- Northern Kentucky University — Highland Heights (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $446 per credit hour (in state, Indiana and Ohio reciprocity); $897 per credit hour (out of state)
- Spalding University — Louisville (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $960 per credit hour
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, Hazard (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $624 per credit hour (online); $553 per credit hour (in state); $1,412 per credit hour (out of state)
- University of Louisville — Louisville (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $540 per credit hour (online); $540 per credit hour (in state); $1,221 per credit hour (out of state)
- University of Pikeville — Pikeville (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $24,700 per year
- Western Kentucky University — Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Owensboro (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $551 per credit hour (online); $486 per credit hour (on campus, in state); $1,125 per credit hour (on campus, out of state)
MSW Programs Available in Kentucky
- Brescia University — Owensboro (Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $665 per credit hour
- Campbellsville University — Campbellsville (Online)
- Available Concentrations: Addiction, Clinical, Faith-Based
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $603 per credit hour
- Eastern Kentucky University — Richmond (Online)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions Intervention, Child and Family Services, Leadership and Management, Mental Health, Social Advocacy and Justice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $611 per credit hour
- Northern Kentucky University — Highland Heights (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $631 per credit hour (online); $870 per credit hour (on campus)
- Spalding University — Louisville (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $760 per credit hour
- University of Kentucky — Lexington (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $737 per credit hour (online); $1,592 per credit hour (in state); $3,940 per credit hour (out of state)
- University of Louisville — Louisville (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $830 per credit hour (online); $775 per credit hour (on campus, in state); $1,575 per credit hour (on campus, out of state)
- University of Pikeville — Pikeville (Online)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions, Clinical Mental Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $540 per credit hour
- Western Kentucky University — Bowling Green, Cookeville, Elizabethtown, Owensboro (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $607 per credit hour (in state); $917 per credit hour (domestic student, out of state); $953 per credit hour (international student, out of state)
Kentucky Social Worker Career and Salary Information
In Kentucky, healthcare social workers command the highest average wages of any specific professional class tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Notably, the BLS’s “social workers, all other” category has the top annual average salary. This profile includes social workers who specialize in adult protective services, criminal justice, and forensics, among other areas.
O*NET Online lists the following growth projections for various social work specializations. The data is specific to Kentucky and covers the 2020-30 period.
- Child, family, and school social workers: +4%
- Healthcare social workers: +10%
- Mental health and substance use social workers: +15%
- Social workers, all other: +6%
The following table summarizes average hourly wage and annual salary data for social workers in Kentucky:
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $46,390 | $22.30 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,670 | $30.13 |
Social Work Associations in Kentucky
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Kentucky Chapter: The NASW offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- The Kentucky Society for Clinical Social Work (KSCSW): This organization provides professional development opportunities, advocates for the field, connects members, and offers continuing education opportunities.
- Kentucky Association for School Social Workers (KASSW): The KASSW advocates for the practice of school social work, offers professional development opportunities, and provides information for social workers who work in school settings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Kentucky?
Kentucky recognizes three types of social workers: licensed social worker (LSW), certified social worker (CSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). You need at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify for LSW licensure, while CSWs and LCSWs both need a master’s degree.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Kentucky?
You must meet the educational requirements for the type of social work license you’re seeking. You also need to pass the ASWB exam associated with your license class: bachelors (LSW), masters (CSW), or clinical (LCSW).
How much do social workers in Kentucky make?
BLS data from 2023 lists annual mean salary ranges of $46,390-$62,670 for various social work specializations. On an hourly basis, this works out to an average wage of $22.30-$30.13.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Kentucky?
It depends what level of license you need for your career. For LSW licensure, you need a bachelor’s degree and a passing score on your ASWB exam. This typically takes 4-5 years. Similar requirements apply to the CSW designation, except that you need a master’s degree, which adds another 1-2 years. LCSWs need a master’s or doctorate, plus 2-3 years of post-master’s work experience.
