Apply for Provisional LSW

Provisional License Pathway

Provisional Licensed Social Worker (LSW) is a bachelor's license type. Apply for a provisional license if you do not have a current social work license of equivalent type in any state or jurisdiction.

Provisional License requirements for LSW without exam according to Minnesota Statute section 148E are as follows:

Academic Degree: Baccalaureate (bachelor'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.
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 standard 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 provisional 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.
Review application requirements and submit required documentation to avoid delays in processing your application.
Find out when a license is required.

Application deadlines:

Applications for a provisional license 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:

Login 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, login to Online Services to update your mailing address.

Provisional LSW
Application Fees
Provisional to Standard
Resources

Apply for Provisional LSW

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 and submit fee by mail with check or money order.
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 Provisional License Application 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. Pay initial license fee
Once your application is complete and you are approved for a provisional license, your profile in Online Services will be updated and the Board will send you a letter to notify you of the approval.
- The provisional license is effective for three-years. The provisional license is nonrenewable. If a provisional licensee does not complete the provisional license requirements within three years, the provisional licensee must apply again, pay another provisional license fee, and complete another CBC.
- Go to the Provisional Supervision page for provisional supervised practice requirements.
Your license is not effective until the Board receives your initial license fee online or by mail.
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.

Application Basis Application
Fee CBC
Fee Total
Fee

Provisional $75 $32 $107
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.
1. Submit application
- Apply online: Apply using the Board's Online Services .
- Apply by mail: Download the Provisional to Standard License Application and submit to:
  - Board of Social Work
    335 Randolph Ave, Suite 245
    Saint Paul, MN 55102
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.
Resources
Fact sheets:
- Top Ten Tips - Provisional Licensees
- Provisional Application Action Steps

Licensee/Applicants

Online Services Login

Public License Lookup

Forms

CE Provider list

Public

Public License Lookup

File a Complaint

Apply for Provisional LSW

Provisional License Pathway

Apply for Provisional LSW

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2024

Application Action Steps:

1. Submit application and fee(s)

2. Complete fingerprint-based criminal background check

3. Submit required supporting documentation

4. Pay initial license fee

Provisional Application Fees

Provisional to Standard License

1. Submit application

2. Pay initial license fee

Resources

Application Basis	Application Fee	CBC Fee	Total Fee
Provisional	$75	$32	$107