West Virginia
Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a social worker
Step 1: Complete MSW program
- In this first step, you must also have passed psychopathology or an abnormal psychology graduate level course, in addition to completing Board approved grad-level fieldwork (clinical) or post-MSW clinical training
Step 2: Gain required experience
- Complete a minimum of 2 years of full-time work or 3,000 hours of part-time post-grad clinical social work
- at least 100 of these hours must be supervised by a licensed clinical social worker, 60 of which must be face-to-face
Step 3: Register for the ASWB Clinical Level Exam
- Contact the ASWB, registration fee $260
- Contact Pearson VUE to schedule exam appointment
- Sign up for TDC’s LCSW Exam Prep: ASWB Clinical Level program to pass with confidence!
Step 4: Complete the Application
- After exam is passed, fill out the state application request form
- submit your passing ASWB Clinical Exam scores
- verification of your MSW
- $100 application fee
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure - Social workers in WV have certain requirements, which is likely the case in other states as well.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by date of issuance
- Total Hours Required: 30 hours
- Must include:
- 2 hours in mental health conditions specific to veterans and family members of veterans
- 1 hour in social work 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
- (Must include a supervised clinical practicum or internship, with a minimum of 700 hours, including 280 direct client contact hours)
Step 2: Accrue Supervised Clinical Experience
- Master's level applicants must complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised MFT experience in not less than two years.
- Doctoral level applicants must complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised MFT experience in not less than one year.
- At least half of the supervised experience hours must be direct client contact.
- Half of these hours must be directly working with couples and families.
- A minimum of 1 hour of direct supervision is required for every 20 hours of practice
Step 3: Pass 2 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!
- After passing the written exam, Tennessee requires an oral examination administered by a committee approved by the board.
Step 4: Apply for LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- AMFTRB exam results
- Submit official transcripts
- Pay licensure application fee $250
Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements for West Virginia MFTS
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
- Total Hours Required: 35 hours
- Must include:
- 3 hours ethics
- First renewal cycle only: Shall be earned in a formal program with an approved presenter
- Subsequent renewals: Can be earned online
- 2 hours veterans/family members mental health
- 3 hours supervision for supervisors
- 20 hours home study allowed
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
