New Jersey
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: Become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- First, fill out the LSW state application. Includes:
- Criminal History Background Check
- An official transcript from the candidate’s college or university
- Past and current social work experience
- $100 application fee
- Contact the ASWB to register for LMSW exam
- Contact Pearson VUE, find a test center and select your test date
- Use TDC’s LMSW Exam Prep: ASWB Masters Level prep program
Step 3: Earn Qualifying Hours Toward Clinical Licensure
- Accrue 1,920 supervised hours or 2 years of full-time social work
- Must be face-to-face with clients
- Must be completed within 3 years of gaining your LSW license
Step 4: Complete Application and Register for the ASWB Clinical Exam
- Submit the LCSW state application including:
- Non-refundable $75 application fee
- Complete the Certificate and Authorization Form for a Criminal History, including fingerprints
- Show completed 12 graduate-level credit hours in clinical social methods, plus 12 credit hours in human behavior and social environment, diagnosis and assessment in social work practice, models of psychotherapy or clinical practice, clinical supervision, and intervention with special populations
- Provide information on educational and professional work experience
- Register for the exam through the ASWB, $260 registration fee
- Then, contact Pearson VUE to schedule your exam appointment
- Sign up for TDC’s LCSW Exam Prep program and pass with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in NJ have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by August 31 of the EVEN year
- Total Hours Required:
- LCSW - 40 hours (20 hours must be clinical practice)
- LSW - 30 hours
- Must include:
- 5 hours Ethics
- 3 hours Social and cultural competence
- 1 hour Related to prescription opioid drug addiction
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 2 years of supervised marriage and family therapy experience
- One calendar year (1,500 hours over a 50-week period, full-time, or the part-time equivalent) of counseling experience
- Maximum of 1,150 hours of direct client contact
- 50 hours of direct supervision, lasting one hour per week
- A maximum of 300 hours of other work-related activities
- Must be supervised under a board-approved supervisor
- No more than 30 hours of experience shall be earned in any one week, and no more than 125 hours shall be earned in any one month
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 $75
Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements for New Jersey MFTS
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 40 hours
- Must include:
- 5 hour ethics and legal standards
- 3 hours social and cultural competence
- 20 hours online allowed
TDS is an approved provider by ASWB ACE.
