Apply for Provisional LICSW

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2024

Apply for a provisional license if you do not have a current social work license of the equivalent type in any state or jurisdiction. Applicant may apply for a provisional license after the degree is conferred by the social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work.

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 Provisional License Application form and submit fee by mail with check or money order.

2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check

3. Submit required supporting documentation

360 Clinical Clock Hours

360 Clinical Clock Hours required ONLY for Provisional LICSW applicants. 

1. 108 clock hours in differential diagnosis and biopsychosocial assessment, including normative development and psychopathology across the life span
2. 36 clock hours in assessment-based clinical treatment planning with measurable goals
3. 108 clock hours in clinical intervention methods informed by research and current standards of practice
4. 18 clock hours in evaluation methodologies
5. 72 clock hours in social work values and ethics, including cultural context, diversity, and social policy
6. 18 clock hours in culturally specific assessment and intervention

1. Graduate coursework completed for a social work degree program accredited by CSWE or the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work OR a doctorate in social work from an accredited university.
2. Graduate coursework completed at an accredited institution of higher learning, i.e., graduate coursework completed outside of an accredited social work degree program.
3. Up to 120 continuing education (CE) hours (under Minnesota Statutes section 148E.130, subdivisions 8 and 9), which may be completed via CE independent learning.

Documentation required for 360 Clinical Clock Hours:

• Form 1 is used to document academic coursework completed for a graduate degree program accredited by CSWE or the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university.
  • Report course titles, course numbers, and number of clock hours (one semester credit=15 clock hours) obtained for each clinical knowledge area on Form 1 (you may attach a coursework grid provided by your MSW program to Form 1).
  • Form 1 (or attached coursework grid) must be signed by an official from the graduate degree program.
• Form 2 is used to document graduate coursework completed at an accredited institution of higher learning, i.e., graduate coursework completed outside of an accredited social work degree program (if applicable).
  • Report course titles, course numbers, and number of clock hours (one semester credit=15 clock hours) obtained for each clinical knowledge area on Form 2.
  • Form 2 must be signed by an official from the accredited institution of higher learning.
• Form 3 is used to report up to 120 hours of clinical CE activities (if applicable).
  • Report CE activity title and provider, number of clock hours obtained for each clinical content area on Form 3.
  • Required supporting documentation must be submitted with Form 3 for each CE activity reported:
    • For in-person educational workshops, seminars, conferences, or live webinars, supporting documentation must include copies of:
      • Name of sponsor
      • Title and date of activity
      • Number of clock hours
      • Names of presenters
    • For CE independent learning conducted on your own (all 120 hours may be completed through CE independent learning), supporting documentation must include a written summary of the activities conducted, including:
      • Topics covered
      • Applicability of activity to the clinical knowledge area
      • Titles and authors or presenters of materials reviewed
      • Date activity was conducted
      • Number of clock hours completed

Provisional 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 Provisional Application for Licensure form and submit via mail with check or money order. 

Provisional to Standard License

• 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.

Resources

• Provisional License Information Session Slides
• When is a license required?
• Criminal Background Check information 

• Top Ten Tips - Provisional Licensees
• Provisional Application Action Steps