Pathway guide
California: LCSW pathway
Step 1 · ASW registration
- Apply with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) within 90 days of your MSW degree conferral.
- Required: official transcripts, fingerprint clearance (Live Scan), application fee.
Step 2 · Supervised clinical hours
- 3,000 total hours required for LCSW eligibility in California.
- Of those: minimum 2,000 in direct clinical practice, minimum 1,700 of which can be from your MSW practicum.
- Minimum 104 hours of individual supervision over the supervised experience period.
Step 3 · LMSW (Law & Ethics) exam
- Schedule within the first 12 months of ASW registration.
- California-specific exam: covers BBS regulations, scope of practice, and ethics.
Step 4 · ASWB Clinical (LCSW) exam
- Eligible to schedule once supervised hours are complete and Law & Ethics is passed.
- Standard ASWB Clinical Exam: used in most states.
California BBS contact
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences, 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite S-200, Sacramento, CA 95834
- Phone: (916) 574-7830 · Web: bbs.ca.gov