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Licensing and Certification
For Students in the School of Social Policy and Practice
All states legally regulate the social work profession. While the terms “licensing” and “certification” are often used synonymously, most states license social workers.

Each state has a governing board that establishes the guidelines for licensure. While licensure requirements vary by state, most states require a social work degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education , a specific number of hours of supervision, and passing a minimum competence examination.

Some states may have reciprocal agreements with other states concerning licensure. However, the majority of states do not have reciprocity. Therefore, if a social worker is licensed in one state and wants to obtain licensure in another state, he or she must apply to the board in the respective state.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) is the association of boards that regulate social work. ASWB develops and maintains the social work licensing examination used across the country, and is a central resource for information on the legal regulation of social work. Please visit the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB ) for comprehensive information on social work regulation for all states and the ASWB examination.

Tri-State Region Licenses

Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
New York