Become a Social Worker in Kansas
Table of Contents
- Kansas LSCSW (Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker)
- Kansas Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Kansas Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- Kansas Social Work Salary
- Kansas Social Work Scholarships
Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in Kansas, contact the Kansas Social Work Licensing Board.
Kansas law recognizes three classes of social workers: Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW). 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.
Kansas LSCSW (Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker)
Kansas LSCSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program or the K.A.R. 102-2-6
Kansas LSCSW Exam Requirement: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination
Field Requirement: 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work in no less than two years but no more than six years; 2,000 of which should be direct client contact, 1,500 hours of which should be direct face-to-face client contact providing psychotherapy and diagnosis, and up to 500 hours of clinical social work practice services
Fee: $100 application fee, $150 license fee, $260 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: References from at least two social workers licensed at or above the clinical level and a third reference from an on-site supervisor are required for application. Three graduate hours in psychopathology are also required.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 continuing education units, including 3 hours of ethics, and 6 hours of diagnosis and treatment, earned in the two years preceding the renewal date and payment of a $150 renewal fee.
Kansas LMSW
Kansas LMSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program or the K.A.R. 102-2-6 External link
Kansas LMSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $100 application fee, $125 license fee and $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: References from at least two social workers licensed at or above the clinical level and a third reference from an on-site supervisor are required for application.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 continuing education units, including 3 hours of ethics, and 6 hours of diagnosis and treatment, earned in the two years preceding the renewal date and payment of $125 renewal fee.
Kansas LBSW (Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker)
Kansas LBSW Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program or the K.A.R. 102-2-6
Kansas LBSW Exam Requirement: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Basic Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $100 application fee, $100 license fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: References from at least two social workers licensed at or above the bachelor level and a third reference from an on-site supervisor are required for application.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 continuing education units, including 3 hours of ethics, earned in the two years preceding the renewal date and payment of $100 renewal fee.
In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Kansas, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Kansas can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online MSW program. We are committed to keeping updated information on Kansas 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.
Kansas Social Worker Salary
| Kansas Social Work Career | Average Social Work Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | $41,570 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $52,970 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $40,090 |
| All other Social Workers | $52,400 |
| 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 Kansas is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/27/2018.
Kansas Social Work Scholarships
Kansas State Loan Repayment Program
Type: Loan Repayment
Amount: Up to $25,000 annually
Description: The SLRP offers eligible health professionals an opportunity to receive assistance with the repayment of their qualified educational loans in exchange for a minimum two-year commitment to provide health care services at an eligible site in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area. Awardees may receive up to $25,000 annually.
Additional scholarship information is available on the national page of social work scholarships.
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.