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Apply by Examination
Apply for licensure 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. For more information see Top Ten Application Tips for Students.
Application Action Steps:
1. Submit application and fee(s)
2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check
Unless you hold a current standard 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 graduation; 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
- Your official exam score will be automatically forwarded to the Board by ASWB approximately two weeks after you take the exam.
- 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
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.
Your license is not effective until the Board receives your initial license fee online or by mail.
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Apply by Endorsement
Apply for licensure 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 standard 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
2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check
Unless you hold a current standard 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
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.
Your license is not effective until the Board receives your initial license fee online or by mail.
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Provisional to Standard License
Upon completion of the requirements of a provisional license, it is necessary for the applicant to pursue a standard license to continue to engage in social work practice under Minnesota Statute Chapter 148E. A Provisional to Standard License Application must be submitted, and all required steps, including submission of the initial licensure fee upon approval for licensure, must be completed within one year or the application is closed.
2. Pay initial license fee
- Once the Provisional to Standard License Application is reviewed and approved, the Board will mail a License Fee Statement identifying the initial license fee. You must pay this fee as soon as possible to continue practicing social work per MS148E. The new license will be effective the day the Board receives this fee.
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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 if applying by examination or endorsement 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 |
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Resources
Fact sheets: