Louisiana Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in LA
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Written by Maura Deering | Edited by Victoria Hudgeons
Updated July 2024
Louisiana offers straightforward pathways to obtaining a social worker license. Entry-level social workers need only earn a social work bachelor’s degree to qualify for a license or advanced standing admission to a master’s program. Master’s in social work holders can opt for additional training to practice clinical social work.
Our comprehensive guide explains how to become a social worker in Louisiana, including licensing requirements, education, career paths, and average salaries.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Louisiana Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) licenses social workers at the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree levels.
Applicants with bachelor of social work (BSW) degrees can qualify for registered social worker (RSW) licenses. Master of social work (MSW) holders can apply for licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) credentials.
Registered Social Worker
RSWs practice entry-level generalist social work, which can include assessment, evaluation, prevention, and intervention; case management; client advocacy; community organization; counseling; and referrals to outside resources.
RSWs are employed at agencies and nonprofit organizations, correctional and healthcare facilities, and schools. They cannot perform advanced practice or clinical social work without first earning an MSW and LMSW or LCSW credentials.
Louisiana licensure requirements for an RSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
Licensed Master Social Worker
An LMSW can practice the same duties as an RSW, plus addiction services, employee assistance, service or treatment evaluation and planning, supervision, and teaching. LMSWs work as agency employees but can also provide services as consultants. An LMSW credential allows for clinical social work practice and psychotherapy under the supervision of an LCSW.
LMSW career paths include child welfare specialists, medical social workers, and mental health case managers.
Louisiana licensure requirements for a LMSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
In addition to performing the same duties as RSWs and LMSWs, LCSWs can practice clinical social work. Clinical social work functions include developing treatment plans, providing psychotherapy, and helping clients with daily challenges and recovery from addictions and mental health issues.
LCSWs work for government agencies, mental health facilities, and social services organizations, and they can also establish their own private practices. After earning their MSWs, LCSWs spend an additional 2-3 years completing state-mandated supervised training requirements.
Louisiana licensure requirements for an LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- 3,000 hours of work experience under the supervision of a board approved LCSW
- 96 face-to-face supervision hours
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Louisiana
The LABSWE rules permit social workers licensed in other states to practice in Louisiana through endorsement of credentials or reciprocity.
Endorsement and reciprocity require:
- Licensure in good standing from a state board that requires substantially equivalent education, supervised experience, and examination standards as Louisiana for LCSWs, LMSWs, and RSWs or certified social workers
- A passing score on an open-book exam that tests knowledge of Louisiana’s social work laws, procedures, standards, regulations, and rules
- Payment of applicable license fees
Louisiana is also a member state of the Social Work Licensure Compact, which hopes to make multistate social work licenses available in the future.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Louisiana
Louisiana social workers renew their licenses every year. To avoid licensure lapse, social workers must renew by August 31. Lapsed license renewal between September 1 and February 28 requires an application for reinstatement and payment of additional fees. Longer lapses may require additional continuing education (CE) hours and a passing score on the Louisiana laws, procedures, and standards exam.
To renew, social workers complete 20 hours of LABSWE-approved CE that includes three hours of ethics every two years and ten hours or more of clinical content covering the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
BSW Programs Available in Louisiana
- Grambling State University — Grambling (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $215 per credit hour part time, $2,570 per semester full time
- Louisiana Chrisitian University — Pineville (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $628 per credit hour part time, $10,048 per semester full time
- Louisiana State University and A&M College — Baton Rouge (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,009 per semester full time (in state), $12,351 per semester full time (out of state)
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana — Natchitoches (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $655-$2,590 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners taking 7+ credits
- Southeastern Louisiana University — Hammond (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,590 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
- Southern University and A&M College — Baton Rouge (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,486 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
- Southern University at New Orleans — New Orleans (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $992-$2,242 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
- University of Louisiana at Monroe — Monroe (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,893 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
MSW Programs Available in Louisiana
- Grambling State University — Grambling (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $215 per credit hour part time, $2,570 per semester full time
- Louisiana Christian University — Campbellsville (Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $628 per credit hour part time, $10,048 per semester full time
- Louisiana State University and A&M College — Baton Rouge (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,009 per semester full time (in state), $12,351 per semester full time (out of state)
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana — Natchitoches (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $655-$2,590 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners taking 7+ credits
- Southeastern Louisiana University — Hammond (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,590 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
- Southern University and A&M College — Baton Rouge (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,486 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
- Southern University at New Orleans — New Orleans (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $992-$2,242 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
- University of Louisiana at Monroe — Monroe (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,893 per semester; additional fees apply for out-of-state learners
Louisiana Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Healthcare social workers earn the highest average annual social worker salaries in Louisiana, followed by “all other” social workers, which include job titles like criminal justice social worker and forensic social worker. Louisiana social worker wages fall below the national averages, but the state’s 92.1% cost-of-living index ranks 13th for affordability, which can stretch paychecks further.
Projections Central lists positive long-term employment growth during 2022-2032 in Louisiana across the social work careers. Employment data shows projected increases of 7.3% for child, family, and school social workers, 10.2% for healthcare social workers, 12.9% for mental health and substance use social workers, and 7.8% for “all other” social workers.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $49,980 | $23.55 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $60,810 | $29.24 |
Social Work Associations in Louisiana
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Louisiana Chapter: The NASW offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- The Louisiana Society for Clinical Social Work (LSCSW): The LSCSW offers professional development and continuing education opportunities, advocates for clinical social workers, and connects members.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Louisiana?
The Louisiana state board offers three types of social worker licenses–one at the bachelor’s degree level and two for master’s degree holders: registered social worker, licensed master social worker, and licensed clinical social worker.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Louisiana?
Louisiana social work licensure requires earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. Master’s degree holders also must pass the ASWB master’s or clinical examination. Clinical social workers have an additional requirement of 3,000 hours of post-master’s clinical experience.
How much do social workers in Louisiana make?
Average annual salaries for Louisiana social workers range from $48,980 for mental health and substance use social workers to $62,520 for healthcare social workers. Child, family, and school social workers earn average wages of $50,710 per year, and “all other” social workers make $60,810 on average annually.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Louisiana?
RSWs can earn their BSWs in four years and become entry-level social workers. LMSWs need an additional 1-2 years of graduate study to earn their MSWs. LCSWs spend 2-3 years completing their supervised clinical training after obtaining their MSWs.
