UPDATE: Notice of Upcoming Changes to the Licensure Exam Process for Colorado Social Workers

*Updated Notice from CO Department of Regulatory Agencies - September 24, 2021:

Colorado LSW Requirements Changing Effective July 1, 2022

The Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners is notifying candidates and other stakeholders about an upcoming change regarding the Social Work Exam requirements.

Beginning on July 1, 2022 the Board will require that Licensed Social Work (LSW) applicants complete the Master’s exam to obtain their LSW license. The Clinical exam will no longer be accepted for the LSW exam requirement. This implementation ensures the Board is in compliance with the Association of Social Work Board’s (ASWB) Exam Use Policy. Applicants will then be required to complete the Clinical exam to obtain their Clinical Social Work (CSW) license. 

The adoption of ASWB’s Exam Use Policy was originally slated to take place this year, on July 1, 2021. The ASWB Board of Directors approved Colorado's request for an extension to delay implementation of the Policy until June 30, 2022.

On July 1, 2022, the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners is requiring the following for application approval: 

• LSW Requirements:
  • Master of Social Work degree or Doctor of Social Work degree
  • Passing of the ASWB Masters exam (ASWB Clinical exam will NOT be accepted for LSW licensure)
  • Passing of the CO Jurisprudence exam
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Master of Social Work degree or Doctor of Social Work degree
  • Passing of the ASWB Clinical exam AFTER completing accrual of all post-degree work experience and clinical supervision hours
  • 3,360 hours of supervised post-degree work experience (acquired over a minimum of 2 years), with 96 hours of direct clinical supervisor contact acquired concurrently with post-degree work experience (also over a minimum of 2 years)
  • Passing of the CO Jurisprudence exam