Apply for Temporary License

If you qualify for one of three specific provisions, 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. If you will start a social work position in Minnesota before your permanent license is issued, or do not plan to obtain a permanent Minnesota license, apply for a temporary license to avoid unlicensed practice.

There are three temporary licenses under Minnesota Statutes section 148E.060. Temporary licenses are issued as either baccalaureate (if you are applying for permanent LSW and/or have a bachelor’s degree) or masters (if you are applying for permanent LGSW, LISW, or LICSW and/or have a master’s degree). Review temporary licenses and requirements on each tab below to determine if you are eligible.

Students or persons not currently licensed in another jurisdiction
Persons currently licensed in another jurisdiction
Students graduating from programs in Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) candidacy status

Students/Unlicensed
Licensed in Other Jurisdiction
Candidacy Students

Students/Unlicensed

Available to students who have completed all degree requirements for a CSWE accredited social work degree program or a person who is not currently licensed to practice social work in another jurisdiction but meets the eligibility requirements below.

Eligibility Requirements:
- Permanent License Application: Submitted an application for permanent licensure (LSW or LGSW)
- Academic Degree: Completed all requirements for a baccalaureate or graduate 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
- Examination: Obtained a passing score on the applicable Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam
- Criminal Background Check: Submitted required fees and documentation for a criminal background check (CBC) under Minnesota Statutes section 214.075 (CBC fee is submitted with application for permanent license)
- Ethical Standards: Must not have engaged in conduct in violation of the Board’s ethical standards of practice
Time Limit/Expiration:
- Valid for six months
- Not renewable
- Expiration date is the last day of the month six months from the effective date, or when a permanent license is issued, whichever is earlier
Supervised Practice Requirements

Licensing supervision is required for practice under a temporary license issued to a student or unlicensed person:
- Review supervised practice requirements
- Submit a Supervision Plan within 60 days of beginning a social work position
- Supervised practice completed with a temporary license will apply to permanent license requirements
Authorized Scope of Practice:
- Baccalaureate temporary license: Authorizes the practice of social work but does not authorize clinical social work practice
- Graduate temporary license: Authorizes both the practice of social work and clinical social work practice
Representation:
- Baccalaureate temporary license: Must represent as a “temporary license baccalaureate social worker”
- Graduate temporary license: Must represent as a “temporary license graduate social worker”
- Do not use the credentials LSW or LGSW until a permanent license is issued
*Continuing Education (CE) is not required for temporary licenses, but CE obtained with a temporary license may be applied to permanent license requirements.

Attention BSW and MSW Students—Apply at the Right Time!
- A temporary license can only be approved if you have completed all degree requirements and obtained a passing score on the required ASWB exam
- If you have applied for permanent license, passed the ASWB, and submitted fingerprints, you may apply for temporary license two weeks before completing degree requirements, but don’t apply earlier than that
- Plan to submit a temporary license application at least 3 to 5 business days before your hire date if you are starting a social work position to allow for processing
- Review Top Ten Temporary License Tips for Students for more helpful information
Licensed in Other Jurisdiction

Available to individuals who are licensed or credentialed to practice social work in another state or jurisdiction.

Eligibility Requirements
- Active Social Work License: Hold an active license or credential to practice social work in another jurisdiction
- Criminal Background Check: Submitted required fees and documentation for a criminal background check (CBC) under Minnesota Statutes section 214.075 (if application for permanent licensure submitted prior to applying for temporary license, CBC fee is submitted with permanent license application)
- Ethical Standards: Must not have engaged in conduct in violation of the Board’s ethical standards of practice
Time Limit/Expiration
- Valid for six months
- Not renewable
- Expiration date is the last day of the month six months from the effective date, or when a permanent license is issued, whichever is earlier
- May not be issued more than once in a twelve-month period
Authorized Scope of Practice
- Baccalaureate temporary license: Authorizes the practice of social work but does not authorize clinical social work practice
- Graduate temporary license: Authorizes both the practice of social work and clinical social work practice
Representation
- Baccalaureate temporary license: Must represent as a “temporary license baccalaureate social worker”
- Graduate temporary license: Must represent as a “temporary license graduate social worker”
- Do not use the credentials LSW, LGSW, LISW, or LICSW until a permanent license is issued
Candidacy Students

Available to students who are graduating from a social work degree program in candidacy status (programs working toward CSWE accreditation). Click here for CSWE’s Director of Accredited Programs.

Eligibility Requirements
- Permanent License Application: Submitted an application for permanent licensure (LSW or LGSW)
- Academic Degree: Completed all requirements for a baccalaureate or graduate degree in social work from a program currently in candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work
- Examination: Obtained a passing score on the applicable Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam
- Criminal Background Check: Submitted required fees and documentation for a criminal background check (CBC) under Minnesota Statutes section 214.075 (CBC fee is submitted with application for permanent license)
- Ethical Standards: Must not have engaged in conduct in violation of the Board’s ethical standards of practice
Time Limit/Expiration
- Valid for 12 months
- Not renewable but may be extended if the social work program remains in candidacy status
- Expiration date is the last day of the month 12 months from the effective date, or when a permanent license is issued, whichever is earlier
Supervised Practice Requirements

Licensing supervision is required for practice under a temporary license issued to a student or unlicensed person:
- Review supervised practice requirements
- Submit a Supervision Plan within 60 days of beginning a social work position
- Supervised practice completed with a temporary license will apply to permanent license requirements
Authorized Scope of Practice:
- Baccalaureate temporary license: Authorizes the practice of social work but does not authorize clinical social work practice
- Graduate temporary license: Authorizes both the practice of social work and clinical social work practice
Representation:
- Baccalaureate temporary license: Must represent as a “temporary license baccalaureate social worker”
- Graduate temporary license: Must represent as a “temporary license graduate social worker”
- Do not use the credentials LSW or LGSW until a permanent license is issued
*Continuing Education (CE) is not required for temporary licenses, but CE obtained with a temporary license may be applied to permanent license requirements.

Attention BSW and MSW Students—Apply at the Right Time!
- A temporary license can only be approved if you have completed all degree requirements and obtained a passing score on the required ASWB exam
- If you have applied for permanent license, passed the ASWB, and submitted fingerprints, you may apply for temporary license two weeks before completing degree requirements, but don’t apply earlier than that
- Plan to submit a temporary license application at least 3 to 5 business days before your hire date if you are starting a social work position to allow for processing
- Review Top Ten Temporary License Tips for Students for more helpful information

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Apply for Temporary License

Students/Unlicensed

Eligibility Requirements:

Time Limit/Expiration:

Supervised Practice Requirements

Authorized Scope of Practice:

Representation:

Licensed in Other Jurisdiction

Eligibility Requirements

Time Limit/Expiration

Authorized Scope of Practice

Representation

Candidacy Students

Eligibility Requirements

Time Limit/Expiration

Supervised Practice Requirements

Authorized Scope of Practice:

Representation: