Iowa
Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a social worker
Step 1: Attain MSW from a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
Step 2: Obtain an Iowa LMSW License
- Complete the Iowa Masters Application Form
- submit a $120 fee and have your
- Send school transcripts to the Board’s offices
- Once approved, register for exam with the ASWB, registration fee $230
- Next, select your exam date and testing venue with Pearson VUE
- Study and pass with TDC’s LMSW Exam Prep: ASWB Masters Level program
Step 3: Accrue Hours
- After passing, find a supervisor and submit a Supervision Plan
- Once accepted, complete 2 years of full-time social work experience or 4,000 hours of part-time work. This includes:
- Psychological assessment
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- At least 110 of these hours must be direct face-to-face supervision, with no more than 60 hours conducted in a group setting
Step 4: Apply for the Licensed Independent Social Work (LISW) License
- Fill out the LISW License application, $120 fee
- Submit a Supervision Report
Step 5: Register and Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam with TDC!
- Once your hours are completed and application approved, register for the Clinical Exam with the ASWB and Pearson Vue
- LCSW registration fee $260
- Use TDC’s LCSW Exam Prep: ASWB Clinical Level program to pass with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in IA have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years (Must be renewed by Dec. 31 of each EVEN year)
- Total Hours Required: 27 hours
- Must include:
- Must include: 3 hours Ethics
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-approved school
Step 2: Accrue Supervised Clinical Experience
- Cannot begin until after all graduate coursework has been completed with the exception of the thesis
- Minimum of two years
- At least 3,000 hours of practice
- At least 1,500 hours of direct client contact
- At least 110 hours of direct supervision equitably distributed throughout
- At least 24 hours of live or recorded direct observation of client interaction
- A maximum of 50 hours of direct supervision may be obtained through group supervision
- Direct supervision can occur in person or by using videoconferencing
- After 110 hours of direct supervision are complete, ongoing direct supervision must continue to occur for the remainder of the supervised clinical experience
Step 3: Pass Required Exam
- Apply to take the AMFTRB National MFT Exam
- Exam fee $365
- Sign up for TDC’s NMFT exam prep course and study with confidence!
Step 4: Apply for LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- Submit AMFTRB exam results
- Submit official transcripts
- Licensure application fee $120
Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements For Iowa MFTs
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 40 hours
- Must include:
- 3 hours ethics
- 3 hours supervision for supervisors
- (An initial two-hour course in dependent adult abuse training for mandatory reporters and thereafter 1 hour recertification training every 3 years. An initial 2 hour course in child abuse training for mandatory reporters offered by the department of human services and thereafter, a 1 hour recertification training every 3 years.)
- 20 hours online allowed
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
