Ohio Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in OH

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Like other states, Ohio offers multiple levels of social work licensure. Each level has different training standards, and you should understand these differences at the outset of your licensing journey.

This guide to Ohio social work licenses explains all the details and provides links to degree programs that satisfy the state’s educational standards.

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Ohio Social Work Licensing Requirements

You have a path to an Ohio social work license no matter what type of degree you hold. Education requirements for SWA licensure begin with an associate degree. LSWs need at least a bachelor’s degree, while you must have at least a master’s degree to become an LISW.

Ohio also offers two specialized license subtypes: social work trainee (SWT) and a licensed independent social worker supervisor (LISW-S). SWT licensure requires enrollment in a graduate-level social work field training or practicum course. LISW-S licensure is uniquely available to experienced LISWs seeking authorization to supervise LSWs and SWAs.

For further details, refer to the subsections below.

Registered Social Work Assistant

SWAs provide and administer community-based outreach and support programs, case management duties, and client assessments. They may also conduct field observations, offer referrals, perform intake assessments, and carry out crisis interventions.

Under Ohio law, SWAs must work under an LSW, LISW, or other licensed mental health practitioner at all times. Registered nurses, counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists all qualify as potential supervisors.

Ohio licensure requirements for SWA include:

Licensed Social Worker

Compared to SWAs, LSWs have an expanded scope of practice. When employed in a public agency setting, they can provide intervention and counseling services without supervision. If supervised by an LISW, they can also provide social psychotherapy.

When working as an independent contractor or as part of a private practice, LSWs must carry out all duties under the direct supervision of an LISW. This includes duties for which they require no supervision in public agency settings.

Ohio licensure requirements for LSW include:

Licensed Independent Social Worker

LISWs have the complete and unrestricted ability to provide counseling, social psychotherapy, and interventions without supervision. They may also independently perform all duties included in the SWA and LSW scopes of practice.

Uniquely, LISWs can also plan, develop, implement, assess, and evaluate social service and consultation programs. These authorizations are not available to any other class of Ohio social work license holder.

Ohio licensure requirements for LISW include:

Social Work License Reciprocity in Ohio

Social workers licensed in other states may qualify for an Ohio social work license if they meet LSW or LISW qualification standards. The application process involves multiple steps:

Ohio is part of the interstate Social Work Licensure Compact. Participating states plan to begin issuing social work licenses with multi-state validity in 2025.

Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Ohio

The following set of general Ohio social work license renewal requirements apply to all licensure levels:

All CE must be completed through providers recognized by Ohio’s Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

BSW Programs Available in Ohio