New York Social Work License Requirements and Schools: Learn How to Become a Social Worker in NY
Written by Ann Feeney
Last Updated: July 2023
Whatever population you want to serve, New York state is likely to have a full community. As one of the largest states, and among the states with the highest number of immigrants and refugees, New York hosts many communities that need professional social workers. In fact, more than 6 million New York state residents live in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals, including licensed clinical social workers.
Learn more about how you can earn a New York social work license and find the right school for your needs and goals.
New York Social Work Licensure Requirements
Every state has its own education and licensing requirements. New York has two licensing levels for social workers, the licensed master social worker (LMSW) and the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). An LMSW is authorized to provide generalized social work, such as case management and referral to resources, and may provide clinical services, such as assessment and counseling, under the supervision of an LCSW. An LCSW is authorized to provide clinical and all other social work services independently. The New York State Education Department Office of the Professions oversees licensing requirements.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
New York licensure requirements for an LMSW include:
- Be of good moral character as determined by the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
- Be at least 21 years old
- Earn a master of social work (MSW) online or on campus that meets New York department standards
- Fill out the complete application
- Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) master’s licensing examination
- Complete education on identifying and reporting child abuse from a state-approved provider
Educational standards for an MSW are similar to accreditation standards and include at least two years/60 hours and at least 900 practicum hours. The fee for a first-time license is $294. Once licensed, you must complete ongoing professional education and adhere to the rules of professional conduct. You must complete at least 36 hours of professional education from approved sources every three years.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
New York licensure requirements for an LCSW include:
- Be of good moral character as determined by the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have an MSW that meets New York department standards
- Fill out an application
- Have at least three years of full-time or six years of part-time supervised experience in clinical social work (diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment planning)
- Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical licensing examination
- Complete education on identifying and reporting child abuse from a state-approved provider
Education must include at least two years (or 60 credits), a practicum of at least 900 hours, and at least 12 credits in clinical social work. The fee for a first-time license is $294. Like an LMSW, you must complete at least 36 hours of professional education every three years and follow the rules of professional conduct to maintain your New York social work license.
Featured Online Social Work Programs
How Long Does it Take to Become a Licensed Social Worker in New York?
It usually takes 5-6 years to earn a New York social work license as an LMSW and 8-9 years to become an LCSW. This includes earning a bachelor’s degree and an MSW, and for the LCSW, the required supervised experience. If you have a bachelor of social work (BSW), many social work MSW programs offer advanced standing, which lets you finish the MSW in just one year.
Out of State Licensing Reciprocity in New York
New York does not participate in any licensing reciprocity, as each state maintains its own licensing requirements. You can only earn a New York social worker license by applying directly to the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions. However, if you have an LCSW and at least 10 years of experience in another state, you may be eligible for licensing by endorsement. This requires verifying your professional practice and ASWB score.
How to Renew a Social Work License in New York
A New York social work license has to be renewed every three years. The renewal fee is the same for an LMSW or an LCSW at $224. However, the renewal period after your initial licensing is prorated, so you will renew in the month of your birthday. You must also complete at least 36 hours of professional continuing education.
Salary Expectations for Social Workers in New York
New York social worker salaries are above the national average salary of $59,440 and the average hourly salary of $28.58 across all categories of social workers. The average annual national salary for a child, family, and school social worker is $56,680, $62,760 for a healthcare social worker, $60,130 for a mental health and substance abuse social worker, and $64,360 for all other categories of social workers, according to the BLS. However, the cost of living is higher in New York, especially in New York City, so be sure to consider local costs when evaluating a job offer.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $70,690 | $33.99 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $78,540 | $37.76 |
Source: BLS, 2022
Accredited Social Work Programs in New York
| University | Location | Available Concentrations | Enrollment Type | 2023 Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelphi University | Garden City; Hauppauge; Hudson Valley; Manhattan, NY (On Campus, Online) | Mental Health; Substance Abuse; Trauma; Human Services Management and Organizational Leadership | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends and Evenings | $21,025 tuition for 17 credits |
| Alliance University | New York, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical; Leadership in Organizations and Communities | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $910 per credit hour |
| Binghamton University | Binghamton, NY (On Campus) | Advanced Generalist | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $6,540 for 12 credits |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport, NY (On Campus) | Advanced Generalist | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year | $471 per credit hour |
| College of Saint Rose | Albany, NY (On Campus) | Advanced Generalist | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $846 per credit hour |
| College of Staten Island | Staten Island, NY (On Campus) | Clinical Practice; Disability Studies | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $7,315 per semester for 12 credits |
| Columbia University | New York, NY (On Campus, Online) | Leadership Management and Social Entrepreneurship for Social Justice; Policy Practice; Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year | $26,752 for 12 credits residential tuition |
| Daemen College | Amherst, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical or Direct Practice | Full Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year | $1,056 per credit hour |
| Fordham University | Lincoln Center; Westchester; Rockville Centre, NY (On Campus, Online) | Health; Crisis and Resilience | Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year, Weekends and Evening | $995 per credit hour |
| Hunter College | New York, NY (On Campus) | Aging; School of Social Work; Child Welfare: Children, Youth, and Families; Criminal Justice; Global Social Work and Practice with Immigrants and Refugees; Health; Mental Health; Sexuality and Gender; World of Work | Full Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year, Weekends and Evening | $620 per credit hour |
| Keuka College | Keuka Park, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical or Direct Practice | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year, Weekends and Evenings | $1,217 per credit hour |
| Lehman College | Bronx, NY (On Campus) | Advanced Generalist | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $620 per credit hour for part-time students |
| Long Island University | Brookville, NY (On Campus) | Gerontology; Nonprofit Management; Alcohol and Substance Abuse; Child and Family Welfare; Forensic Social Work | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year | $1,231 per credit hour |
| Nazareth College of Rochester | Rochester, NY (On Campus, Online) | Advanced Generalist | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year | $1,045 per credit hour |
| New York University | New York, NY (On Campus) | Clinical or Direct Practice | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year, Weekends and Evenings | $1,527 per credit hour |
| Roberts Wesleyan College | Rochester, NY (On Campus, Online) | Mental Health; Child and Family Services | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $737 per credit hour |
| St. Joseph’s University of New York | Brooklyn and Patchogue, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems | Full Time, Part Time, Weekends and Evenings | $1,270 per credit hour |
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY (On Campus) | Community, Policy, and Political Social Action; Families, Youth and Transition to Adulthood; Integrated Health: Physical, Psychological, and Social Well Being | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends and Evenings | $545 per credit hour |
| Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical or Direct Practice; Integrated Practice | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $32,436 for 24 credits |
| Touro University | New York and Brooklyn, NY (On Campus, Online) | Aging; Mental Illness; Veterans | Full Time, Part Time, Multiple Cohorts Per Year, Weekends and Evenings | $820 per credit hour |
| University at Albany | Albany, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing | $682 per credit hour |
| University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY (On Campus, Online) | Trauma | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year, Weekends and Evenings | $706 per credit hour for online students |
| Utica University | Utica, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical or Direct Practice | Part Time | $922 per credit hour |
| Yeshiva University | New York, NY (On Campus, Online) | Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems | Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple Cohorts Per Year | $1,138 per credit hour |
| CUNY York College | Jamaica, NY (On Campus) | Health | Full Time | $5,545 per semester for 12 credits |
Professional Organizations for Social Workers in New York
Professional organizations provide excellent networking opportunities not only for recent graduates but also for field veterans. They provide an avenue for sharing the latest developments in both the private and public sectors. Social workers support clients and their families on a daily basis. Joining a professional social work association allows individuals to support one another as colleagues and professionals.
- New York State Society for Clinical Social Work: The NYSSCSW provides members with information on issues, such as license registration, continuing education units, and mentorship opportunities. The association also keeps members current of the latest legislative news that affects social work practice in New York.
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), New York Chapter: The association disseminates relevant information and sponsors and supports regional conferences. The NASW-NYC also organizes members for action, especially on urgent advocacy concerns, such as securing additional federal funding for continuing education units and defining and protecting the scope of practice in school-based settings.
- New York State School Social Workers’ Association: NYSSSWA organizes regional and statewide conferences that provide members with professional networking opportunities. The organization represents members at the NYS Council of Education Associations and works closely with the School Social Work Association of America to ensure that member concerns are recognized and acted upon on the national level.