Become a Social Worker in Indiana
Table of Contents
- Indiana Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Indiana Licensed Master Social Worker (LSW)
- Indiana Social Work Salary
Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in Indiana, contact the Indiana Social Work Licensing Board.
Indiana law recognizes two classes of social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). The requirements are as follows:
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
Indiana LCSW
Indiana LCSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a CSWE-accredited or approved institution of higher education (MSW must be clinically-oriented)
Indiana LCSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination
Field Requirement: Applicants must submit proof of two years experience in the practice of clinical social work in counseling of clients in a clinical setting, as well as proof of at least four hours per month of face-to-face supervision. Both years must have been obtained after applicants obtain the MSW. The experience must be post-baccalaureate, paid, full-time and supervised to qualify as experience. The board may consider part-time experience. (NOTE: 1,500 hours equals one year of experience.) Under no circumstance can this experience requirement be met in less than 12 months. At least 50 percent of the time must have involved providing services directly to clients.
Fee: $50 application fee, $260 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: A social work license (LSW) is required before you can begin getting your supervised experience that is required for licensure as a clinical social worker.
Endorsement: Available through board approval to applicants licensed or certified at an equivalent level in another state
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 20 contact hours of continuing education with 2 hours of ethics continuing education per licensure year (40 hours total) and payment of a $50 renewal fee.
Indiana LSW (Licensed Social Worker)
Indiana LSW Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an institution of higher education that has been accredited or approved for candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Indiana LSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: BSW applicants must submit proof of two years experience in the practice of clinical social work in the counseling of clients in a clinical setting, as well as proof of at least four hours per month of face-to-face supervision. The experience must be post-baccalaureate, paid, full-time and supervised to qualify as experience. The board may consider part-time experience if the applicant can verify completion of at least 3,000 hours of post-baccalaureate degree experience. (NOTE: 1,500 hours equals one year of experience.) Under no circumstance can this experience requirement be met in less than 12 24 months. At least 50 percent of the time must have involved providing services directly to clients.
Fee: $50 application fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: None
Endorsement: Available through board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 20 contact hours of continuing education with 2 hours of ethics continuing education per licensure year (40 hours total) and payment of a $50 renewal fee.
In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Indiana, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Indiana can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online MSW program. We are committed to keeping updated information on Indiana social work licensure policies available to you.
Disclaimer: There may be additional methods of certification that have not been covered here. Please contact your state social work licensing department for more information.
Indiana Social Work Salary
| Indiana Social Work Career | Average Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | $39,560 |
| Medical and Public Health Social Workers | $50,000 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $40,560 |
| All Other Social Workers | $61,540 |
| Salary Increase from BSW to MSW | +$9,000 |
Disclaimer: Social Worker Salary information is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information about social worker salaries in Indiana is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/27/2018.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
Licensure information including requirements, renewals, and fees were retrieved as of August 2018. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.