North Carolina Social Work License Requirements and Schools: Learn How to Become a Social Worker in NC

Written by Rebecca Munday
Last Updated: June 2023

The process for earning your social work certification or license can be daunting, especially if the long list of state requirements confuses you. This guide can clarify the process.

Find out more about which licenses or certifications you can apply for, how to transfer your current social work credential from another state, and how to renew your certifications and licenses in North Carolina.

North Carolina Social Work Licensure Requirements

The North Carolina Social Work Certification and License Board regulates eligibility for social work license, practice, and renewal. The board offers one license for independent practice, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a clinical level license. They also offer the licensed clinical social worker associate (LCSWA) license for social workers in the process of becoming an LCSW.

Generalist social workers can apply for one of their three optional certifications: certified social worker (CSW), certified master social worker (CMSW), and certified social work manager (CSWM).

To apply, you fill out the same license application for all licenses or certifications. However, you do not need to complete all five pages unless you are applying for both license and certification, such as a CSWM and an LCSW. Read carefully to make sure you provide all required information. After you submit the application, North Carolina takes 21 days to process your application.

Certified Social Worker (CSW)

A CSW is a social worker with a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) certified to practice generalist social work. Bachelor’s-level social workers usually practice macro social work in careers, such as policy analysis or advocacy.

North Carolina licensure requirements for CSW include:

• A BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• A copy of your official transcripts
• Three signed professional reference forms sealed in an envelope
• A criminal background check
• A passing score on the ASWB bachelor’s exam
• A completed license application packet
• A $145 application fee

Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW)

A CMSW holds at least a master of social work (MSW). You can also qualify with a Ph.D. in social work. This certification allows you to practice generalist social work at the macro and mezzo levels with responsibilities, such as policy analysis, advocacy, and program development and implementation.

North Carolina licensure requirements for CMSW include:

• At least an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• A copy of your official transcripts
• Three signed professional reference forms sealed in an envelope
• A criminal background check
• A passing score on the ASWB master’s exam
• A completed license application packet
• A $145 application fee

Certified Social Work Manager (CSWM)

A CSWM prepares you for roles in practicing generalist social work independently and supervising other generalist social workers in North Carolina.

North Carolina licensure requirements for CSWM include:

• At least a BSW degree from an CSWE-accredited program
• A copy of your official transcripts
• Three signed professional reference forms sealed in an envelope
• A criminal background check
• A passing score on the ASWB advanced generalist exam
• A completed license application packet
• A $145 application fee
• Two years, or 3,000 hours, of post-MSW paid supervised experience
• At least 100 hours of supervision, maximum of 50 hours of group supervision

You can become a CSWM with a BSW, MSW, DSW, or Ph.D. Your administrative supervisor must fill out a form with information about how much group supervision you received, how much individual supervision was provided, the total supervision provided, and the dates that the supervision happened.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA)

If you want to become an LCSW but still need to pass the ASWB clinical exam and complete your supervision and supervised experience, you can apply for the LCSWA. The license allows you to begin working while you complete your supervised experience and supervision requirements to become an LCSW.

North Carolina licensure requirements for LCSWA include:

• At least an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• A completed license application packet
• A $145 application fee
• A copy of your official transcripts
• Three signed professional reference forms sealed in an envelope
• A criminal background check

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

You need to become an LCSW to practice clinical social work in North Carolina and work in roles, such as mental health social worker and substance misuse counselor.

North Carolina licensure requirements for LCSW include:

• At least an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• A copy of your official transcripts
• Three signed professional reference forms sealed in an envelope
• A passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
• A completed license application packet
• A $145 application fee
• Two years, or 3,000 hours, of post-MSW paid supervised clinical experience
• At least 100 hours of supervision, maximum of 25 hours of group supervision

Your clinical supervisor will fill out a form about your supervision, including your position, the dates you worked, and the supervision you received.

Featured Online Social Work Programs

How Long Does it Take to Become a Licensed Social Worker in North Carolina?

Becoming a licensed social worker in North Carolina takes 4-9 years depending on the license or certification you want. To become a CSW, it takes four years of full-time study to earn a BSW. Then, you must pass the ASWB bachelor’s exam.

If you earn a BSW and then decide you want to become a CMSW or an LCSW, you can earn your MSW in half the credits because a BSW allows you to enter the MSW program with advanced standing. Earning a BSW and an MSW takes about five years before you can sit for the ASWB master’s exam to become a CMSW.

If you want to independently practice clinical social work, you should become an LCSW, which takes up to nine years. Plan to spend 6-7 years earning your bachelor’s degree and MSW. Then, it takes two years to complete the 3,000 hours of required supervised clinical experience.

Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in North Carolina

North Carolina does not offer license reciprocity, but rather certification or licensure “through substantial equivalency.” To apply for substantial equivalency, provide a completed application packet, an application fee, official transcripts, professional reference forms, and a copy of your state’s law concerning the requirements for your social work license.

North Carolina determines whether the social work license you currently hold has similar eligibility requirements to North Carolina’s standards for an equivalent license through the application process. To qualify for substantial equivalency, you need:

• A currently active social work license, registration, or certification in another state, territory, or country
• An equivalent degree to the license or certification you are applying for, such as a master’s degree for CSWM
• An equivalent defined scope of practice and continuing education requirements
• A passing score on the equivalent exam for the license or certification you are applying for
• Two years, or 3,000 hours, of supervised experience for CSWM or LCSW

How to Renew a Social Work License in North Carolina

You must renew your social work license every two years by filling out an application, paying the renewal fee, and providing documentation of your continuing education. The renewal fee ranges from $70-$150, depending on what level of license or certification you are renewing.

You need 40 hours of continuing education every two years to renew any level of North Carolina social work license or certification. Four of those hours must be in ethics.

If you are an LCSW, you can carry over remaining clock hours for up to two renewal periods, or six years. If you transfer your LCSWA in the middle of a renewal period, your continuing education will be prorated.

Salary Expectations for Social Workers in North Carolina

Healthcare social workers in North Carolina are similar to those of other healthcare social workers across the country. In North Carolina, they make an average of $63,110 annually, or $30.34 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2022. Social workers in other specialties make less than the national average. Find out more about social workers’ salaries below.

Source: BLS, 2022

Accredited Social Work Programs in North Carolina

BSW Programs Available in North Carolina

• Appalachian State University — Boone, NC (On Campus, Online)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $2,121 per semester in-state; $10,619 per semester out-of state
• Barton College — Wilson, NC (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
  • Available Concentration: Child Welfare
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $17,800 per semester
• Campbell University — Buies Creek, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $38,480 per year
• East Carolina University — Greenville, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $557 per credit hour in-state; $864 per credit hour out-of-state
• Elizabeth City State University — Elizabeth City, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentration: Gerontology
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $500 per semester in-state; $2,500 per semester out-of-state
• Fayetteville State University — Fayetteville, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $42 per credit hour in-state; $208 per credit hour out-of-state
• Johnson C. Smith University — Charlotte, NC (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $9,752 per semester
• Livingstone College — Salisbury, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $7,958 per semester
• Mars Hill University — Mars Hill, NC (On Campus, Online)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $37,270 per year
• Meredith College — Raleigh, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $1,086 per credit hour
• Methodist University — Fayetteville, NC (On Campus, Online)
  • Available Concentration: Child Welfare
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $38,936 per year
• North Carolina A&T State University — Greensboro, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $148 per credit hour in-state; $710 per credit hour out-of-state
• North Carolina Central University — Durham, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $155 per credit hour in-state; $699 per credit hour out-of-state
• North Carolina State University — Raleigh, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $9,108 per year in-state; $31,980 per year out-of-state
• Shaw University — Raleigh, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $492 per credit hour
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Charlotte, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentrations: Child Welfare, Gerontology
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $159 per credit in-state; $747 per credit out-of-state
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro — Greensboro, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $184 per credit in-state; $840 per credit out-of-state
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke — Pembroke, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentration: Child Welfare
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $146 per credit in-state; $312 per credit out-of-state
• University of North Carolina at Wilmington — Wilmington, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $185 per credit hour in-state; $794 per credit hour out-of-state
• Warren Wilson College — Asheville, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition: $39,300 per year
• Western Carolina University — Cullowhee, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentration: Child Welfare
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
  • 2023 Tuition:$3,618 per semester in-state; $5,618 per semester out-of-state
• Winston-Salem State University — Winston-Salem, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time
  • 2023 Tuition:$142 per credit in-state; $586 per credit out-of-state

MSW Programs Available in North Carolina

• Appalachian State University — Boone, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentrations: Community and Organizational Practice; Individuals and Families
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $304 /credit in-state; $1,1,38 /credit out-of state
• East Carolina University — Greenville, NC (On Campus, Online)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $205/ credit in-state; $883 / credit out-of-state
• Fayetteville State University — Fayetteville NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentrations: Substance Use; Military Behavioral Health
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $191 /credit in-state; $806 /credit out-of-state
• Johnson C. Smith University — Charlotte, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $9,752 /semester
• North Carolina A&T State University and University of North Carolina at Greensboro (collaborative) — Greensboro, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $299 /credit in-state; $1,084 /credit out-of-state
• North Carolina Central University — Durham, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentration: Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $263 /credit in-state; $983 /credit out-of-state
• North Carolina State University — Raleigh, NC (On Campus)
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $380 /credit in-state; $1,286 /credit out-of-state
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentrations: Direct Practice; Community, Management, and Policy
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $811 /credit in-state; $1,841 /credit out-of-state
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Charlotte, NC (On Campus, Online)
  • Available Concentrations: Child Welfare; School Social Work
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $242 /credit in-state; $1,027 /credit out-of-state
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke — Pembroke, NC (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
  • Available Concentrations: School Social Work; Substance Use and Addiction Recovery
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $238 /credit in-state; $963 /credit out-of-state
• University of North Carolina at Wilmington — Wilmington, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentrations: Substance Use Disorders and Addictions; School Social Work; Child Welfare
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $262 /credit in-state; $1,062 /credit out-of-state
• Western Carolina University — Cullowhee, NC (On Campus)
  • Available Concentrations: Addictions Studies; Child Welfare; Culturally-based Native Health; School Social Work
  • Enrollment Type: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
  • 2023 Tuition: $5,241 /semester in-state; $10,600 /semester out-of-state

Professional Organizations for Social Workers in North Carolina

Professional associations provide a host of benefits to social workers at every career stage. Whether you are a seasoned professional, a recent graduate searching for employment, or still working on your degree, membership holds a variety of advantages. Many organizations sponsor scholarships, awards, and continuing education courses, and often host conferences and other networking events. Some also serve as advocacy groups, influencing policy changes at the local, state, and national levels. The examples below are just a few of the many social work professional organizations.

• North Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work: Student members pursuing clinical licensure can take advantage of this association’s mentorship program, or apply for several scholarships. Other benefits to joining include licensing resources, continuing education programs, and a discounted subscription to the Clinical Social Work Journal.
• National Association of Social Workers – North Carolina Chapter: Joining a state chapter of this national organization is a great way to socialize with other North Carolina professionals, learn about nearby career opportunities, and expand your local network. Members gain access to an exclusive job board, liability insurance, and opportunities to influence policy at the state level.
• North Carolina Public Health Association: While its members are employed in a wide variety of public health positions and settings, this organization maintains a special interest group specifically dedicated to social work. Members may attend monthly meetings and an annual fall conference, apply for scholarships and awards, and access continuing education materials such as webinars.