Apply for LGSW

License Requirements

Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) is a master's license type. Apply for a license by examination if you do not have a current social work license in another state or jurisdiction, or apply by endorsement if you have a current social work license in another state or jurisdiction. The Board recommends that current social work students apply for a license six months before graduation for the best application process.

License requirements for LGSW by examination under Minnesota Statutes section 148E.055 are as follows:

Academic Degree: Master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar accreditation body that the board designates, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university
Examination: Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Masters exam
Criminal Background Check: All applicants for initial licensure must complete a criminal background check (CBC) under Minnesota Statutes section 214.075, unless you hold a current permanent or temporary social work license in Minnesota
Ethical Standards: Must not have engaged in conduct in violation of the Board's ethical standards of practice

License requirements for LGSW by endorsement under Minnesota Statutes section 148E.055 are as follows:

Active Social Work License: Hold an active license or credential as a graduate or master’s level social worker in another jurisdiction
Academic Degree: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
Criminal Background Check: All applicants for initial licensure must complete a criminal background check (CBC) under Minnesota Statutes section 214.075, unless you hold a current permanent or temporary social work license in Minnesota
Ethical Standards: Must not have engaged in conduct in violation of the Board's ethical standards of practice

Processing Time, Deadlines, and Important Information

Plan ahead!

Getting your permanent license involves multiple steps and generally takes at least three months—in many cases it takes longer
Applications are reviewed in order of date received and initial application review typically takes between 30 and 60 days from the date an application is received by the Board
The Board recommends that current social work students apply for a license six months before graduation for the best application process.
Review application requirements and submit required documentation to avoid delays in processing your application
Find out when a license is required
If you are eligible, a temporary license allows you to begin authorized social work practice for a time-limited period and can typically be issued more quickly than a permanent license

One-year application deadline:

Applications remain open for one year from the date your application and fee are received by the Board
If you do not complete all application requirements by the one-year deadline, your application will close and you will need to reapply, pay another fee, and may need to complete another CBC

Check your application status online:

Log in to Online Services to check your application status
Review your online application checklist regularly and look at the comments added by Board staff on each item for details

Update your email + mailing address:

The Board will contact you about your application via mail
If your address changes, log in to Online Services to update your mailing address

Apply by Examination

Apply by examination if you do not have a current social work license in another state or jurisdiction. Current social work students may apply for a license six months before graduation to take the ASWB exam, more info on Top Ten Application Tips for Students .

Application Action Steps:

1. Submit application and fee(s)
- Apply online: Apply and pay fee using the Board's Online Services .
- Apply by mail: Download the Application for Licensure form and submit fee by mail with check or money order.
2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check

Unless you hold a current permanent or temporary Minnesota social work license, you must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC).
- Provide a current email address on your application to avoid delays.
- The CBC Program Office will email instructions and forms to you, once the Board has received your application and fee.
- Submit fingerprints to the CBC Program Office, not the Board of Social Work.
- Review the Criminal Background Check page for additional information.
3. Submit required supporting documentation

Your application will not be processed without the required supporting documents. Supporting documentation may be submitted separately from the Application for Licensure and application fee, but should be submitted as soon as possible after an application is submitted.

Official Transcript
- You must submit an official transcript to the Board including your degree, major, and date degree conferred.
NOTE: You are not required to resubmit your official transcript, if submitted to the Board with a previous application.
- Contact the registrar's office at your school to request an official transcript sent directly from your school to the Board office.
  - Mail to:
    Board of Social Work
    335 Randolph Ave, Suite 245
    Saint Paul, MN 55102
  - Email to:
    social.work@state.mn.us
    (secure, certified PDF from your school)
- Current social work students: Wait to submit your official transcript until after all social work degree requirements have been met; contact your school to confirm your degree conferred date will be included on transcript.
4. Register for and take ASWB exam
The Board will send you a letter by mail if you are approved to take the ASWB exam.
- Exam approval will be granted when all required supporting documents have been submitted and your application has been reviewed.
- Current Social Work Students: Do NOT submit your application to the board until you are within six (6) months of completing your social work degree requirements.
- If required supporting documentation has not been submitted, your exam approval will be delayed.
- The Board can grant exam approval before you have submitted fingerprints for the CBC, but your license cannot be issued until the CBC is complete.
- Contact ASWB to register for the exam and pay any required fees. ASWB will send you information on how to schedule your exam.
Optional — ASWB Nonstandard Testing Accommodations for the exam:

Applicants in need of nonstandard testing arrangements should contact the ASWB prior to registering for the exam. Visit the ASWB website for more information. Scroll down and click on 'LEARN MORE' listed under each of the following options:
- Arrangements for disability or other health condition
- Lactation arrangements
- English as a second language arrangements
You may also email: specialarrangements@aswb.org with your questions, or to receive the applicable ASWB form.
- Your official exam score will be automatically forwarded to the Board by ASWB approximately two weeks after you take the exam.
  - Provisional License Option : Applicants that 1) take the ASWB exam and do not pass; 2) speak English as a second language; 3) were born in a foreign country, may be eligible for a provisional license.
- The Board will send you a letter by mail after receiving your exam results regarding next steps to complete your application.
Passing the exam is not the equivalent of being licensed.
5. Pay initial license fee online
Once your application is complete and you are approved for a license, your profile in Online Services will be updated and the Board will send you a letter to notify you of the approval.
- The initial license fee is based on a two-year license fee renewal term which is prorated based on the number of months until your first license renewal.
- Your first license renewal will be in your birth month, two calendar years from the date your license is issued.
- If you hold a current social work license in Minnesota, you remain on your established renewal term.
Your license is not effective until the Board receives your initial license fee online or by mail.
Apply by Endorsement

Apply by endorsement if you have a current social work license in another state or jurisdiction. Applicants currently licensed in another state may also be eligible to apply for a temporary license , which can typically be issued more quickly than a permanent license to allow you to begin authorized social work practice in Minnesota for a time-limited period. Learn more about applying for licensure by endorsement on the Endorsement FAQs page.

Application Action Steps:

1. Submit application and fee
- Apply online: Apply and pay using the Board's Online Services .
- Apply by mail: Download the Application for Licensure form and submit fee by mail with check or money order.
2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check

Unless you hold a current permanent or temporary Minnesota social work license, you must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check (CBC).
- Provide a current email address on your application to avoid delays.
- The CBC Program Office will email instructions and forms to you, once the Board has received your application and fee.
- Submit fingerprints to the CBC Program Office, not the Board of Social Work.
- Review the Criminal Background Check page for additional information.
3. Submit required supporting documentation

Your application cannot be processed without the required supporting documents. Supporting documentation may be submitted separately from the Application for Licensure and application fee but should be submitted as soon as possible after an application is submitted. Carefully review the requirements below to avoid delays to your application.

Official Transcript :
- You must submit an official transcript to the Board including your degree, major, and date degree conferred.
  NOTE: You are not required to resubmit your official transcript if submitted to the Board with a previous application.
- Contact the registrar's office at your school to request an official transcript sent directly from your school to the Board of Social Work office.
- Mail to:
  Board of Social Work
  335 Randolph Ave, Suite 245
  Saint Paul, MN 55102
- Email to:
  social.work@state.mn.us
  (secure, certified PDF from your school)
License Verification :
- You must submit verification of your current social work license(s).
- Verification must be sent from each licensing/credentialing agency directly to the Board office.
- Contact licensing/credentialing agency in each state or jurisdiction where you hold a current social work license to request license verification(s).
4. Pay initial license fee online
Once your application is complete and you are approved for a license, your profile in Online Services will be updated and the Board will send you a letter to notify you of the approval.
- The initial license fee is based on a two-year license fee renewal term which is prorated based on the number of months until your first license renewal.
- Your first license renewal will be in your birth month, two calendar years from the date your license is issued.
- If you hold a current social work license in Minnesota, you remain on your established renewal term.
Your license is not effective until the Board receives your initial license fee online or by mail.
Application Fees

All fees submitted to the Board are non-refundable and must be submitted with an Application for Licensure form online or by mail. Apply and pay using the Board's Online Services or download the Application for Licensure form and submit via mail with check or money order.

Application Basis Application
Fee CBC
Fee Total
Fee

Examination $75 $33.25 $108.25

Endorsement $115 $33.25 $148.25
Resources
- When is a license required?
- Criminal Background Check information
- Temporary License information
- Information for social work students
- BOSW video: License Application Process for Social Work Students
Fact sheets:
External Links:
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) website
- ASWB Social Work License Regulation Information (ASWB resource to compare license types and requirements between different jurisdictions)
- ASWB Exam Resources
- PSI Test Taker Experience VIDEO
- ASWB "Testing Software Sample Screens"
- ASWB Exam Candidate Handbook
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Directory of Accredited Programs

Licensee/Applicants

Online Services Login

Public License Lookup

Forms

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Public

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Apply for LGSW

License Requirements

Processing Time, Deadlines, and Important Information

Application Process

Apply by Examination

Application Action Steps:

1. Submit application and fee(s)

2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check

3. Submit required supporting documentation

4. Register for and take ASWB exam

5. Pay initial license fee online

Apply by Endorsement

Application Action Steps:

1. Submit application and fee

2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check

3. Submit required supporting documentation

4. Pay initial license fee online

Application Fees

Resources

Application Basis	Application Fee	CBC Fee	Total Fee
Examination	$75	$33.25	$108.25
Endorsement	$115	$33.25	$148.25