Ohio
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: Gain Supervised Work Experience
- Work a minimum of 2 years post-MSW and post-LSW experience with 150 hours of documented training supervision by an LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker with a supervisor designation)
- Supervision should average one hour of individual or group supervision for every 20 hrs of work, with a minimum of 150 total hours of supervision for the 3,000 hours of supervised social work practice.
- If you are only practicing part-time, you may not be credited with more than 1,500 hours of experience during any 12-month period. If you have more than 1,500 hours during your first 12 months, the excess cannot be carried over to the next 12 month period. On the other hand, if you have not completed your first 1,500 hours within the first 12 months, then the time period to complete those hours is extended until you do complete 1,500 hours. You can then begin the second 1,500 hours, which can take over a year but must be for a minimum of 12 months.
- Once hours are complete, supervisors must submit a Professional Employment Reference Form in order for applications to be fully processed.
Step 3: Apply for the Ohio LISW license
- After your supervisor submits your forms, you can then begin the application process.
- First create an account with eLicense Ohio Professional Licensure by clicking here.
- Pay $100 application fee (plus $3.50 processing fee), and complete the LISW application forms on the site
- Submit transcripts to socialwork@cswb.ohio.gov
- View the Ohio Social Board's online Laws and Rules video: http://cswmft.ohio.gov/Laws-Rules-Video
- Lastly, complete the BCI and FBI background checks on the CSWMFT website: http://cswmft.ohio.gov/BCIFBIBackgroundChecks.aspx. Background checks are valid for one year.
Step 4: Register for ASWB Clinical Exam
- Receive pre-approval email from Ohio CSWMFT Board
- Pay examination fee of $260 to ASWB
- Contact Pearson VUE to set exam appointment
Step 5: Study with TDC and PASS with confidence!
- Sign up for TDC’s ASWB Clinical Exam to study and pass your exam!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in OH have certain requirements, which is likely the case in other states as well.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by licensee’s birth month
- Total Hours Required: 30 hours
- 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
- 24 full months, during which time you are practicing marriage and family therapy
- Supervisor must meet standards established by the board
- At least 1,000 hours of direct client contact
- 500 hours must be relational and also receiving training supervision
- 200 of face-to-face supervision
- A minimum of 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 $100 + $3.50 processing fee
Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements for Ohio MFTS
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 30 hours
- Must include:
- 3 hours Ethics
- 3 hours Supervision for supervisors
- 30 hours distance/online learning allowed
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
