Virginia Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in VA
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Virginia’s strong economy offers positive employment prospects for social workers. Part of a large metropolitan area, Northern Virginia is home to many governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and top healthcare facilities.
Over the next decade, Virginia will need social workers to fill about 63,800 job openings each year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections. This guide highlights Virginia’s three levels of social work licensure, available degree programs, and career and salary information.
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Virginia Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Virginia Board of Social Work, a state governmental agency, oversees the licensure process for social workers in the state. A path to licensure is available to social workers with a bachelor of social work (BSW) or master of social work (MSW), according to board rules.
Virginia issues three types of social work licenses: licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master’s social worker (LMSW), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Below, we explore licensure requirements for each.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
LBSW designation is the entry-level credential for social workers in Virginia. The Virginia Board of Social Work stipulates that LBSWs can provide basic generalist services such as casework management. Their duties include client assessment, data gathering, referral services, and coordination of services. LBSWs must practice under the supervision of an LMSW or LCSW.
Virginia licensure requirements for LBSW include:
- CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor exam
Licensed Master’s Social Worker
LMSWs can perform many of the same duties as LBSWs without supervision. They provide non-clinical generalist services such as case management, client assessment and evaluation, and coordination of services. They may engage in policy interpretation and advocacy, assume managerial roles, and supervise other social workers.
Virginia licensure requirements for LMSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB master exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSWs are qualified to provide one-on-one clinical services in Virginia. These professionals can autonomously diagnose and treat mental health and substance use problems. Virginia’s LCSW requirements of extensive postgraduate experience help prepare them for this clinical work. Neither LBSWs nor LMSWs complete this level of training.
Virginia licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work, including a 600-hour internship
- Minimum of 3,000 hours of postgraduate experience in clinical social work and ancillary services, including 100 hours of face-to-face supervision with a qualified supervisor
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Virginia
Virginia does not maintain reciprocity agreements with other states. Out-of-state social workers may qualify for LBSW, LMSW, or LCSW licensure in Virginia by endorsement.
To qualify, candidates must have an active unrestricted social work license from another state, one that is comparable to the level they intend to pursue in Virginia. Applicants must also submit evidence of their ASWB exam pass score, or evidence of an exemption. Social workers submit their application form and all supporting documents on the Virginia Board of Social Work website.
Note that Virginia is a member of the interstate Social Work Licensure Compact, which plans to begin issuing multistate social work licenses in fall 2025.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Virginia
Social workers must renew their license annually to practice in Virginia. The Virginia Board of Social Work emails renewal notices about 45-60 days before the license expiration date. Renewal requirements include 15-30 continuing education (CE) hours depending on LBSW, LMSW, or LCSW designation.
CE hours must directly relate to social work practice or another behavioral health field. Newly licensed social workers do not need to complete continuing education on the first renewal date following initial licensure.
BSW Programs Available in Virginia
- Christopher Newport University — Newport News (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $8,414 per semester in state, $15,589 per semester out of state
- Eastern Mennonite University — Harrisonburg (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $21,535 per semester (full time), $1,538 per credit hour (part time)
- Ferrum College — Ferrum (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $13,700 per semester
- George Mason University — Fairfax (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $433 per credit hour in state, $1,452 per credit hour out of state
- James Madison University — Harrisonburg (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $14,242 per year in state, $31,588 per year out of state
- Liberty University — Lynchburg (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Child and Family, Healthcare, Aging, and Medical Social
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $23,800 per year (full time), $815 per credit hour (part-time), $390-$455 per credit (online)
- Longwood University — Farmville (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $7,870 per semester in state, $13,990 per semester out of state
- Mary Baldwin University — Staunton, Richmond, South Boston, Roanoke (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $33,727 per year (full time), $460-$486 per credit hour (part time, online)
- Norfolk State University — Norfolk (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,090 per semester in state (full time), $11,221 per semester out of state (full time), $463 per credit hour in state (part time), $986 per credit hour out of state (part time)
- Radford University — Radford, Roanoke (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,264 per semester in state, $10,583 per semester out of state; $354 per credit hour in state (part time), $881 per credit hour out of state (part time)
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $16,720 per year in state, $39,884 per year out of state
- Virginia State University — Petersburg (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,024 per semester in state, $11,333 per semester out of state, $417 per credit hour in state (part time), $967 per credit hour out of state (part time)
- Virginia Union University — Richmond (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,265 per semester (full time), $482 per credit hour (part time)
- Virginia Wesleyan University — Virginia Beach (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $18,275 per semester
MSW Programs Available in Virginia
- George Mason University — Fairfax (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families or Adults and Healthy Aging
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $645 per credit hour in state, $1,576 per credit hour out of state, $795 (online)
- Liberty University — Lynchburg (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Individual and Family Clinical
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $545 per credit hour (full time), $565 per credit hour (full time, online), $615 per credit hour (part time, online)
- Norfolk State University — Norfolk (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Military, Macro, Child Welfare
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $789 per credit hour in state, $1,519 per credit hour out of state
- Radford University — Radford, Roanoke (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $6,881 per semester in state, $11,762 per semester out of state, $406 per credit hour in state (part time), $793 per credit hour out of state (part time)
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice; Social Work Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $765 per credit hour in state, $1,572 per credit hour out of state, $634 per credit in state (online), $750 per credit hour out of state (online)
Virginia Social Worker Career and Salary Information
The Northern Virginia metro area, including Arlington and Alexandria, has among the nation’s highest employment levels of social workers, according to BLS data. Virginia’s need for social workers is projected to grow as 18% of the state’s social workers plan to retire in the next decade.
Projections Central data for 2022-2032 show Virginia’s social workers can expect strong job growth rates compared to the 7% national average for all social workers:
- Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers: +13%
- Healthcare Social Workers: +11.9%
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers: +8.5
- Social Workers, All Other: +8.2%
Social workers also earn more in Virginia than the $58,380 national median annual pay.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $61,680 | $27.52 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,000 | $29.45 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $63,500 | $27.92 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $78,630 | $38.16 |
Social Work Associations in Virginia
- National Association of Social Workers, Virginia Chapter: NASWVA offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
- Virginia Society for Clinical Social Work: VSCSW provides information and education for Virginia’s clinical social workers through professional development opportunities, advocacy for the field, and member connections.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Virginia?
Virginia has three levels of licensure: Licensed baccalaureate social worker, licensed master social worker, and licensed clinical social worker. LBSW is the entry-level credential for social workers in Virginia, while LCSW is the most advanced.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Virginia?
Social workers must complete a Council on Social Work Education-accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. Applicants must also fulfill the supervised experience requirements for LBSW, LMSW, or LCSW licensure, and pass the Association of Social Work Boards exam.
How much do social workers in Virginia make?
Social workers in Virginia earn an average annual salary of $61,680-$63,500, depending on their area of specialization. That is much higher than the $58,380 national median annual pay for social workers.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Virginia?
It will take at least 4-6 years to train for a social work career in Virginia, depending on the licensing level you intend to pursue. The fastest path is to earn a four-year BSW and fulfill other requirements for LBSW licensure. LCSW licensure is the hardest path since these social workers must additionally complete 3,000 hours of clinical supervision after their master’s.
