Kentucky
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: Apply for the Kentucky CSW (Certified Social Worker) License
- First, fill out the state application, which includes:
- $25 application fee (check or money order only) payable to Kentucky State Treasurer
- Official school transcripts from your college/university
- A total of 3 professional references
- Once approved, register with the ASWB to take the Masters Level Exam, $230 registration fee
- Next, contact Pearson VUE to set exam appointment
- Then, study with TDC’s LMSW Exam Prep: ASWB Masters Level
- After passing, send your Unofficial Score Report to the Kentucky Board of Social Work with initial licensing fee of $125
Step 3: Start Working Towards Your Kentucky Social Work License
- Obtain 200 hours of supervised postgraduate clinical social work, with 100 of those hours being direct face-to-face supervision
- Qualified supervisors are Kentucky licensed LCSWs with 3 years of LCSW experience, and have passed the 3 hour training course administered by the Kentucky Social Work Board
- Supervision must also be approved by the Board by filling out the Contract for Clinical Social Work Supervision form
- In addition, supervision must also be documented on the Supervised Experience Documentation Form and submitted when the hours have been completed
Step 4: 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 KY have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 3 years (Must be completed by the date initially issued)
- Total Hours Required: LCSWs and CSWs 30 hours, LMSWs 15 hours
- Must include:
- 3 hours in domestic violence, elder abuse, neglect, exploitation as defined by KRS 194A.540.
- 3 hours ethics specific to KAR 23:080
- Every 6 years:
- 6 hours Board approved suicide prevention, assessment, treatment, management
- 1.5 hours pediatric abusive head trauma
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 Experience
- A minimum of 1,000 hours of client contact and 2 years
- 4 hours of direct supervision are required per month, for a total of 200 hours
- Up to 100 hours may be in a group setting
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 Full LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- Submit AMFTRB exam results
- Submit official transcripts
- Licensure application fee $50
Continuing Education Requirements
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every year
- Total Hours Required: 15 hours
- Must include:
- 3 hours Board-approved ethics
- Suicide training every 6 years in addition to required 15 CEU hours
- Domestic violence training in first 3 years of permit and license
- All hours shall be in or related to the field of marriage and family therapy
- All hours may be earned online
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
