Become a Social Worker in Tennessee
Table of Contents
- Tennessee Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW)
- Tennessee Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Tennessee Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Tennessee Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- Tennessee Social Work Salary
- Tennessee 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 Tennessee, contact the Tennessee Social Work Licensing Board.
Tennessee law recognizes four classes of social workers: Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), 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.
Tennessee LAPSW (Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker)
Tennessee LAPSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited or candidate program
Tennessee LAPSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Advanced Generalist Level Examination
Field Requirement: 3,000 hours of non-clinical practice hours and 100 supervision hours, mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire, six-hours of continuing education related to advanced generalist non-clinical supervision; 60 of the 100 hours must be under direct supervision and no more than 40 hours may be group supervision
Fee: $235 licensing and application fees, $260 ASWB examination fee, $32.65 in-state criminal background check fee
Additional Information: One professional reference from current or previous employer
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 15 contact hours of continuing education annually, including 3 hours of ethics, and payment of a $95 renewal fee.
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Tennessee LCSW
Tennessee LCSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited or candidate program
Tennessee LCSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Advanced Generalist Level Examination
Field Requirement: 3,000 hours of clinical practice hours and 100 supervision hours, mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire, six hours of continuing education related to advanced generalist non-clinical
Fee: $235 licensing and application fees, $260 ASWB examination fee, $32.65 in-state criminal background check fee
Additional Information: Professional reference also required.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 15 contact hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics, annually and payment of a $95 renewal fee.
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Tennessee LMSW
Tennessee LMSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited or candidate program
Tennessee LMSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $160 licensing and application fees, $230 ASWB examination fee, $32.65 in-state criminal background check fee
Additional Information: Mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal:Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 12 contact hours of continuing education annually, including 3 hours of ethics, and payment of a $95 renewal fee.
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Tennessee LBSW (Licensed Bachelor Social Worker)
Tennessee LBSW Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited or candidate program
Tennessee LBSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $110 licensing and application fees, $230 ASWB examination fee, $32.65 in-state criminal background check fee
Additional Information: Mandatory practitioner profile questionnaire
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of nine contact hours of continuing education annually, including 3 hours of ethics, and payment of an $45 renewal fee.
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In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Tennessee, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Tennessee can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online master of social work program. We are committed to keeping updated information on Tennessee 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. Last updated 09/06/2018.
Tennessee Social Work Salary
| Tennessee Social Work Career | Average Social Work Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | $40,670 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $51,990 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $36,370 |
| All Other Social Workers | $51,560 |
| 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 Tennessee is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 8/22/2018.
Tennessee Social Work Scholarships
National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. Graduate Scholarship Program
Type: Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Description: The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. (NAJA) was established in 1941 with the purpose of uniting members to render charitable services that are beneficial to the general public, with particular emphasis on children, and to cooperate with other organizations performing similar services. Today, the growing Association continues with the focus of meeting the needs of children and youth in keeping with the NAJA slogan: Care Today – Character Tomorrow.
Additional scholarship information is available on the national page of social work scholarships.
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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.