Delaware
Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a social worker
Step 1: Complete a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
Step 2: Gain Clinical Work Experience Towards Your LCSW
- Once you have your MSW, you can accrue hours right away
- Gain at least 2 years of post-graduate work experience, with a minimum of 3,200 hours
- 1,600 hours must be supervised by an LCSW. If an LCSW is not available to you, you can have a master’s level degree social worker, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed psychiatrist supervised. But you must complete a documentation of attempts to secure an LCSW form
Step 3: Complete Delaware LCSW State Application
- Submit the state application to the Board. Includes:
- Non-refundable processing fee of $163
- Criminal History Record Check Authorization to approved state and federal background check, including a $69 fee
- Completion of Supervisory Reference Form
- Official college or university transcripts sent directly to Delaware Board of Clinical Social Work office
Step 4: Register for the ASWB Clinical Exam and Study with TDC!
- First, reach out to the ASWB to register for the exam, $260 application fee
- Contact Pearson VUE and make an appointment for your exam
- Finally, study with TDC’s LCSW Exam Prep: ASWB Clinical Level program to pass with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
**All renewals must be completed by January 31 of the odd year**
Pre-licensure - LMSWs in DE require 30 hours, LBSWs require 20 hours of approved CEs every 2 years
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 40 hours
- Must include:
- 6 hours Professional Ethics
- 1 hour Mandatory Reporting
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
How to become a Marriage & Family Therapist
Step 1: Earn Your Degree
- Master’s in MFT or related field from COAMFTE or Board equivalent school
Step 2: Accrue Supervised Experience
- Minimum of 3,200 hours of marriage and family therapy services
- at least 1,600 under direct supervision acceptable by Board
- 500 hours of couple and family therapy
- 500 hours of individual therapy
- 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision
Step 3: Pass Required Exam
- Apply to take the AMFTRB National MFT Exam
- Exam fee $365
- Sign up for TDC’s NMFT exam prep program and study with confidence!
Step 4: Apply for LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours and exam results
- Submit transcripts
- Criminal background check
- Pay licensure fee $272
Continuing Education Requirements
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 40 hours
- Must include:
- 20 hours may be home study
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
