North Dakota
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 to become a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
- Special Note: Unlike other states, the LCSW license is not the Clinical level license, but rather the one you need to apply for after receiving your MSW and before your work hours.
- First, fill out the ND LCSW state application. This includes:
- $100 fee ($25 application fee, $75 license fee
- Official copy of your school transcripts
- Completed reference forms from your references used on application
- Criminal history background check
- Next, register for the ASWB Masters examination, registration fee $230
- Then, sign up for TDC’s LMSW Exam Prep program to study with confidence!
Step 3: Professional Work Experience
- Work 3,000 supervised clinical hours in a 2 to 4 years in order to apply for the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) license
- 150 hours must be direct contact supervision
- No more than 50 hours of the direct contact supervision can be in a group setting
- Prior to your supervision, submit a Supervision Plan for Board approval
- Your clinical supervisor must complete a Verification of MSW Supervision form
- Your employer must complete a Verification of MSW Employment form (both found on Supervision Plan link)
Step 4: Apply for your LICSW License and Pass the Clinical Exam
- Register for your exam with the ASWB, $260 registration fee
- Schedule exam appointment with Pearson VUE
- Finally, come back to TDC and take our LCSW Exam Prep: ASWB Clinical Level to pass the LICSW exam with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in ND have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by December 31 of every ODD year
- Total Hours Required: 30 hours
- Must include:
- 2 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
- Must complete 2 years (at least 3,000 hours) of supervised clinical experience
- 1,500 hours must be direct clinical contact
- At least 200 hours must be direct supervision by a LMFT
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 $190
Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements for North Dakota MFTS
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 30 hours
- Must include:
- 6 hours ethics for LMFT
- One-fourth of hours can be home study
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
