Michigan
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: Apply for Limited License Master’s Social Work (LLMSW) and Accrue Hours
- Click here to fill out the application for an LLMSW
- Accrue at least 4,000 hours through a job in your intended practice area (clinical or marco) under a qualified supervisor in that area
- Applicants may work between no less than 16 hrs/week and no more than 40 hrs/ week
- No more than 2,000 hours of experience may be accrued in 1 calendar year.
- Meet in person with supervisor, individually or in a group modality that provides for 50% of the supervision to include individual contact, during which active work functions are recorded and reviewed
- Once complete, the supervisor will submit the verification forms to the Michigan State Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Step 3: Apply for the LCSW Exam
- IMPORTANT: In Michigan, the Clinical Social Work license is called the LMSW, however, the exam you need to take is the LCSW. Make sure you register for the ASWB Clinical exam.
- Sign up for TDC’s ASWB Clinical Exam to study and pass with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in MI have certain requirements, which is likely the case in other states as well.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 3 years by April 30
- Total Hours Required: 45 hours
- Must include:
- 5 hours of Ethics
- 2 hours Pain and Pain Symptom Management
- 2 hours Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking
- 1 hour each year of Implicit Bias training
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
- Completion of minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised direct client contact
- Half must be direct client contact hours with families, couples, or subsystems of families
- 1 hour of supervision is required for every 5 hours of experience, for a total of no less than 200 hours
- 100 hours must be individual 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 course and study with confidence!
Step 4: Apply for LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- Submit AMFTRB exam results
- Submit official transcripts
- Pay licensure application fee $25
Continuing Education Requirements
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by May 31
- Michigan does not require continuing education for renewals
- One-time requirement of 1 hour Human Trafficking
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
