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If you plan to become either a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Georgia, you need at least a master of social work (MSW) from an accredited program. The state does not offer a license credential for social workers at the bachelor’s level.
Explore this guide to learn about Georgia social work license requirements, the state’s accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) and MSW programs, license renewal and reciprocity regulations, and salary and career prospects.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn More About Our Partners Loading. Learn More Visit Site Loading. Learn More Visit Site Loading. Learn More Visit SiteThe Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists has the authority to establish and administer requirements for social work licensure, license maintenance, and license transfers. The board issues two levels of social work licenses: the LMSW and the clinical social work license (LCSW). Both licenses require that you complete at least an MSW degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The Georgia LCSW license authorizes holders to practice advanced clinical social work, assessing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral, mental, and emotional disorders. As an LCSW, you may provide supervision, psychosocial evaluations, and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. An LCSW finds employment in varied work settings, including schools, healthcare facilities, social service and counseling agencies, and private practice.
Georgia licensure requirements for LCSW include:
Georgia does not offer social work license reciprocity with other states. If you are a licensed social worker in another state planning to relocate to Georgia, you must apply for a license by exam waiver.
Applicants for exam waiver licensure in Georgia must have passed the master’s exam for the LMSW license or the clinical exam for the LCSW credential. Both types of applications require two professional reference letters and a background check. LCSW applicants must submit a post-graduate directed experience verification form.
Social work licenses in Georgia expire every two years on September 30. LMSW and LCSW license-holders may renew through the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists‘ licensing site, submitting either an online application or a paper application through the mail. The board charges a $100 renewal fee or a $150 late renewal fee.
License renewal requires at least 35 hours of continuing education within the two-year renewal period, including a minimum of five hours in professional ethics. You may complete a maximum of 10 hours of the total 35 hours through asynchronous online activities. However, all hours in ethics must be completed through live/synchronous activities. The board requires you to maintain documentation of your completed continuing education hours for four years.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $54,440 | $26.18 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $77,160 | $37.10 |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social work positions across the U.S. are projected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the national average for all occupations. Although the average salary for U.S. social workers in May 2023 was $62,880, compensation varies by experience, location, and speciality. As this table indicates, social work salaries in Georgia range $50,810-$77,160. The highest paid social workers specialize in healthcare and other social work specialties, which include areas of criminal justice and corrections and occupational social work.
While social worker salaries in Georgia rank somewhat below the national average for this occupation, Georgia boasts a much lower cost of living than most states, making housing, transportation, and other necessities more affordable.
Georgia authorizes two levels of social work licenses, the LMSW and the LCSW. While you may find employment opportunities in the field with a bachelor’s degree, you must hold an MSW to practice as a licensed master or licensed clinical social worker.
The minimum educational requirement for a social work license in Georgia is an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Applicants must pay a $100 fee and, depending on the license level, pass the ASWB master’s exam or the clinical exam.
Social work salaries in Georgia depend on several factors, including specialty, type of license, and years of experience. According to BLS data for May 2023, social workers in Georgia can make between $50,800 to just over $77,000 annually.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years, you must complete an MSW, which can add another two years to completion. Accelerated BSW/MSW programs that award credits for some of your undergraduate social work courses may shorten the time needed to complete your master’s program.
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