Ohio Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in OH
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Written by James M. Tobin | Edited by Victoria Hudgeons
Updated July 2024
Like other states, Ohio offers multiple levels of social work licensure. Each level has different training standards, and you should understand these differences at the outset of your licensing journey.
This guide to Ohio social work licenses explains all the details and provides links to degree programs that satisfy the state’s educational standards.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Ohio Social Work Licensing Requirements
Ohio’s Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board oversees the state’s social worker licensing program. The board offers three main levels of licensure:
- Registered social work assistant (SWA)
- Licensed social worker (LSW)
- Licensed independent social worker (LISW)
You have a path to an Ohio social work license no matter what type of degree you hold. Education requirements for SWA licensure begin with an associate degree. LSWs need at least a bachelor’s degree, while you must have at least a master’s degree to become an LISW.
Ohio also offers two specialized license subtypes: social work trainee (SWT) and a licensed independent social worker supervisor (LISW-S). SWT licensure requires enrollment in a graduate-level social work field training or practicum course. LISW-S licensure is uniquely available to experienced LISWs seeking authorization to supervise LSWs and SWAs.
For further details, refer to the subsections below.
Registered Social Work Assistant
SWAs provide and administer community-based outreach and support programs, case management duties, and client assessments. They may also conduct field observations, offer referrals, perform intake assessments, and carry out crisis interventions.
Under Ohio law, SWAs must work under an LSW, LISW, or other licensed mental health practitioner at all times. Registered nurses, counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists all qualify as potential supervisors.
Ohio licensure requirements for SWA include:
- Associate degree in social service technology
- At least 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours of core social service/social work skills, theory, and systems courses, including a social service practicum
- At least 21 quarter hours or 14 semester hours of related courses such as psychology, sociology, and economics
Licensed Social Worker
Compared to SWAs, LSWs have an expanded scope of practice. When employed in a public agency setting, they can provide intervention and counseling services without supervision. If supervised by an LISW, they can also provide social psychotherapy.
When working as an independent contractor or as part of a private practice, LSWs must carry out all duties under the direct supervision of an LISW. This includes duties for which they require no supervision in public agency settings.
Ohio licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor or master exam
Licensed Independent Social Worker
LISWs have the complete and unrestricted ability to provide counseling, social psychotherapy, and interventions without supervision. They may also independently perform all duties included in the SWA and LSW scopes of practice.
Uniquely, LISWs can also plan, develop, implement, assess, and evaluate social service and consultation programs. These authorizations are not available to any other class of Ohio social work license holder.
Ohio licensure requirements for LISW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Documentation of at least 3,000 hours of social work experience, supervised by an LISW with supervision designation
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical or advanced generalist exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Ohio
Social workers licensed in other states may qualify for an Ohio social work license if they meet LSW or LISW qualification standards. The application process involves multiple steps:
- Forward your ASWB exam results to Ohio licensing officials for review. If your exam scores are more than seven years old, you must hold a current, active license or your scores will not qualify.
- Demonstrate the validity of your current license. You can use your state’s license verification service, or ask your state’s social work licensing board to forward proof on your behalf.
- Pass Ohio’s background check requirements. These include both Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) checks.
Ohio is part of the interstate Social Work Licensure Compact. Participating states plan to begin issuing social work licenses with multi-state validity in 2025.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Ohio
The following set of general Ohio social work license renewal requirements apply to all licensure levels:
- You must renew your license every two years by the date on which it was originally issued.
- License-holders must complete at least 30 clock hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year licensing period.
- At least three of those 30 hours must cover professional ethics topics.
All CE must be completed through providers recognized by Ohio’s Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
BSW Programs Available in Ohio
- Ashland University — Ashland (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $14,970 per semester
- Bluffton University — Bluffton (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $18,281 per semester
- Bowling Green State University — Bowling Green (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $13,730 per year
- Capital University — Columbus (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Weekends/Evenings
- 2024 Tuition: $21,372 per semester
- Cedarville University — Cedarville (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $36,950 per year
- Central State University — Wilberforce (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $2,707 per year (in state), $3,707 per year (out of state)
- Cleveland State University — Cleveland (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Weekends/Evenings
- 2024 Tuition: $521 per credit hour (in state), $744 per credit hour (out of state, domestic), $789 per credit hour (out of state, international)
- Defiance College — Defiance (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $28,500 per year
- Franciscan College of Steubenville — Sbeubenville (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $32,070 per year
- Lourdes University — Sylvania (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $26,790 per year
- Malone University — Canton (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $17,400 per semester (on campus), $630 per credit hour (online)
- Miami University — Oxford (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Child Welfare
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $18,162 per year (in state), $40,822 per year (out of state)
- Mount St. Joseph University — Cincinnati (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Weekends/Evenings
- 2024 Tuition: $18,475 per semester
- Mount Vernon Nazarene University — Mt. Vernon (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Weekends/Evenings
- 2024 Tuition: $18,342 per semester
- Ohio Dominican University — Columbus (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $17,455 per semester
- The Ohio State University — Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $9,488-$13,244 per year (on campus, in state), $40,022 per year (on campus, out of state), $493 per credit hour (online)
- Ohio University — Athens, Lancaster, Zanesville, Chillicothe, St. Clairsville, Ironton (On Campus) (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $13,746 per year (in state), $24,114 per year (out of state and international)
- University of Akron — Akron, Lakewood, Orrville (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $12,799 per year (in state), $17,239 per year (out of state)
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Developmental Disabilities
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $6,988 per semester (on campus, in state), $7,288 per semester (on campus, Indiana and Kentucky residents), $14,655 per semester (on campus, out of state), $513 per credit hour (online)
- University of Findlay — Findlay (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions, Gerontology
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $852 per credit hour
- University of Rio Grande — Rio Grande (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $850 per credit hour
- The University of Toledo — Toledo (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,297 per year (in state), $9,977 per year (out of state)
- Ursuline College — Pepper Pike (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $38,490 per year
- Wright State University — Dayton (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Gerontology
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $516 per credit hour (in state), $963 per credit hour (out of state)
- Xavier University — Cincinnati (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $25,205 per semester
- Youngstown State University — Youngstown, Lorraine, Lakeland (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $11,900 per year (on campus), $415 per credit hour (online, in state), $420 per credit hour (online, out of state)
MSW Programs Available in Ohio
- Bowling Green State University – Bowling Green (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $468 per credit hour (in state), $801 per credit hour (out of state)
- Case Western Reserve University – Cleveland (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions; Aging and Gerontological Practice; Children, Youth, and Families; Community Development and Social Systems; Health; Mental Health; School Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $2,248
- Cleveland State University – Cleveland (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $16,140 per semester (on campus), $602 per credit hour (online, in state), $603 per credit hour (online, out of state)
- Miami University – Middletown (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $700 per credit hour
- The Ohio State University – Columbus (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $806 per credit hour (online; on campus, in state), $2,608 per credit hour (on campus, out of state), $505 per credit hour (online, in state), $524 per credit hour (online, out of state)
- Ohio University – Athens (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $583 per credit hour (on campus, in state), $1,001 per credit hour (on campus, out of state), $X per credit hour out of state
- University of Akron – Akron, Canton, Lakewood, Orrville (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $463 per credit hour (in state), $783 per credit hour (out of state)
- University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families; Health; Mental Health; Aging and Gerontological Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $662 per credit hour
- University of Toledo – Toledo (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $7,831 per semester (in state), $13,741 per semester (out of state)
- Wright State University – Fairborn (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $680 per credit hour (in state), $1,145 per credit hour (out of state)
- Youngstown State University – Youngstown, Lorraine, Lakeland (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $447 per credit hour
Ohio Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Ohio social workers typically earn salaries that fall below national averages. National mean averages for each of the four social work specializations listed in the table below are all higher than the figures reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for Ohio.
However, job growth projections for Ohio social workers look strong. From 2022-32, Projections Central predicts the following growth rates for social workers in Ohio:
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers: +4.3%
- Healthcare Social Workers: +6.1%
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: +8%
- Social Workers, All Other: +7.1%
The following table profiles average salaries for Ohio-based specialists in various social work career paths:
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,210 | $24.64 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,190 | $29.90 |
Social Work Associations in Ohio
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Ohio Chapter: NASW’s Ohio chapter advocates for the social work profession, provides CE opportunities, and works on issues of workplace safety, compensation, and education debt relief.
- Ohio School Social Work Association: OSSWA advocates for the professional development of school social workers and the effective delivery of school social work services. The group builds relationships and collaborates with other stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels, and provides networking and CE opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Ohio?
Ohio recognizes three main types of social workers: registered social work assistants, licensed social workers, and licensed independent social workers. The state also issues special licenses for social work trainees and licensed independent social worker supervisors.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Ohio?
The general process includes earning an accredited degree and passing the ASWB exam relevant to the type of Ohio social work license you’re seeking. To become an LISW, you also need 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience.
How much do social workers in Ohio make?
According to BLS data from 2023, average salaries for Ohio social workers range from $50,400-$64,650. These rates fall below national averages, but Ohio social workers do have a strong growth outlook.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Ohio?
It depends on the type of Ohio social work license. SWAs require an associate degree, which you can complete in about two years of full-time study. LISWs need at least a master’s degree plus 3,000 hours of professional experience. This path typically takes 7-8 years or more.
