New Jersey Social Work License Requirements and Schools: Learn How to Become a Social Worker in NJ

New Jersey needs social workers. The New Jersey Department of Education identified more than 200 school districts in the state without mental health professionals, including school social workers. A new statewide grant program provides funding to hire these professionals.

In addition, New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce projections for 2018-2028 identified a need for healthcare social workers as well.

Explore this page to learn how to obtain a New Jersey social work license, potential salaries, and accredited program options.

New Jersey Social Work Licensure Requirements

New Jersey’s State Board of Social Worker Examiners licenses social workers at three levels: certified social worker (CSW), licensed social worker (LSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

CSWs can provide non-clinical social work services that include assessment, counseling, client advocacy, and community organizing. LSWs perform the same services as CSWs and can also offer clinical social work services when supervised by an LCSW.

LCSWs can provide non-clinical social work services, practice clinical social work independently, and supervise LSWs.

The subsections below list the requirements for each licensure level.

Certified Social Worker (CSW)

New Jersey licensure requirements for CSW include:

Non-social work bachelor’s degree-holders who earned degrees prior to April 6, 1995 in disability/vocational rehabilitation, guidance and counseling, human services, marriage and family counseling, psychology, sociology, or social work from a non-CSWE-accredited program can also apply for their CSW licenses. The board may require proof of 1,600 post-bachelor’s clinical hours logged prior to April 6, 1995 from these applicants.

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

New Jersey licensure requirements for LSW include:

The licensure board notifies applicants by email when their applications are complete, usually 6-8 weeks after submission.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

New Jersey licensure requirements for LCSW include:

The licensure board no longer requires a preapproval application prior to taking the clinical exam and has combined the license application and exam registration.

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey?

The time it takes to become a licensed social worker in New Jersey depends on several factors, including the licensure level and degree pursued, full- or part-time enrollment in a degree program, and whether post-degree clinical experience is required. In general, CSWs can earn a BSW degree in about four years and do not need to complete post-bachelor’s clinical experience. LSWs typically earn a bachelor’s degree and an MSW in about six years. However, BSW-holders may qualify for advanced standing in their MSW programs and finish sooner. LCSWs also need a bachelor’s degree or a BSW and an MSW, which takes about 5-6 years. They also need at least two years to log their 3,000 post-master’s clinical hours.

Out of State Licensing Reciprocity in New Jersey

Social workers licensed in other states need a New Jersey social work license to practice in the state. New Jersey does not maintain any formal reciprocity agreements with other states, but individual social workers can apply for equivalent New Jersey credentials through the licensure board’s reciprocity process. Applicants must submit a verification of license from the state in which they hold their licenses, along with an application for New Jersey licensure and an official ASWB master’s or clinical exam score transfer request, if applicable.

How to Renew a Social Work License in New Jersey

Renewal of New Jersey social work licenses happens every two years and requires board-approved continuing education hours. CSWs must complete at least 20 hours, and LSWs need 30 hours. The 20 or 30 credits must include five in ethics and three in social and cultural competency. CSWs pay a $70 renewal fee, and LSWs pay $120. The licensure board requires 40 continuing education credits and a $160 renewal fee for LCSWs. The 40 credits must include 20 credits in clinical practice, five credits in ethics, and three credits in social and cultural competency.

Salary Expectations for Social Workers in New Jersey

New Jersey child, family, and school social workers earn the highest salaries in the U.S., with an average of $75,590, compared with the national average of $56,560. Mental health and substance social workers in Jersey also top the U.S. salary list at $92,850, which far outpaces the national average of $60,130. Child, family, and school social workers in New York-Newark-Jersey City earn the second-highest salaries among U.S. metropolitan areas, bringing in an average of $76,200. Trenton ranks fourth with the average salary of $74,560. Mental health and substance abuse social workers in New York-Newark-Jersey City rank eighth among metro areas with an average salary of $85,590.

OccupationAverage Annual SalaryAverage Hourly Salary
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$75,590$36.34
Healthcare Social Workers$71,660$34.45
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$92,850$44.64
Social Workers, All Other$67,030$32.23

Accredited Bachelor of Social Work Programs in New Jersey