Licensure in Nevada: What You Need to Know


Though the NASW-Nevada Chapter is one of the driving forces behind licensure laws and practice, we are not the licensure board nor do we create or pass licensure laws in the state of Nevada. ALWAYS verify the information below with Nevada Board of Examiners to make sure the content is still applicable. 

Nevada Law

Nevada statute requires that any person engaged as a social worker must be licensed. Pursuant to Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 641B.500, no person may represent themselves as a licensed social worker or licensed clinical social worker without obtaining the proper licensure.

State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers

4600 Kietzke Lane, #C121
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (775) 688-2555
E-mail: slowery@besw.nv.gov

Website: http://socwork.nv.gov

Be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date contact information.


Levels of Licensure in Nevada

  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
  • Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW)
  • Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Qualifications for Licensure per the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers

(as of June 1, 2023)

Preliminary qualifications for all levels:

  • At least 21 years of age
  • A citizen of the United States or is lawfully entitled to remain and work in the United States

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

  • Possesses a baccalaureate degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or which is a candidate for such accreditation, AND
  • Passes the ASWB Bachelor’s examination.

Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW)

  • Possesses a master’s degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or which is a candidate for such accreditation, AND
  • Passes the ASWB Masters examination. 

Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

  • Possesses a master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or which is a candidate for such accreditation, AND
  • Completes 3,000 hours of supervised, postgraduate social work approved by the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers. The supervision must be provided by an Independent Social Worker or a Clinical Social Worker, AND
  • Passes the ASWB Advanced Generalist examination.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

  • Possesses a master’s degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or which is a candidate for such accreditation, AND
  • Completes 3,000 hours of supervised, postgraduate clinical social work approved by the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.. At least 2,000 hours of supervised, postgraduate clinical social work must be in the area of psychotherapeutic methods and techniques to persons, families, and groups to help in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional conditions. The remaining hours may be completed in other areas of clinical social work. The supervision must be by a Clinical Social Worker, AND
  • Passes the ASWB Clinical examination.

A provisional license to practice as a Social Worker, Independent Social Worker, or Clinical Social Worker may be granted if all requirements for the license except the examination have been satisfactorily met. The examination must be taken within 60 days of the issuance of the provisional license. Additionally, a provisional license is available for no more than 3 years for persons who are enrolled in a program leading to a degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and have a related degree.

What are approved programs of social work?

  • Programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
    or by the CSWE’s Foreign Equivalency Determination Service
  • Programs accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work


Fees (as of June 1, 2023)

LSW/LMSW Level

  • Application Fee: $50.00
  • Initial License Fee: $125.00

    Additional Fees:
  • Applying for a Provisional License: $93.75
  • Applying for Licensure by Endorsement of a license from another state: $125.00
  • Annual renewal of an LSW license: $125.00

LCSW/LISW Level

  • Application Fee: $50.00
  • Initial License Fee: $125.00

    Additional Fees
  • Applying for Licensure by Endorsement of a license from another state: $125.00
  • Annual renewal of an LCSW/LISW license: $187.50

Armed Forces Discount on License Fee

  • 50% reduction on the initial license fee
  • Applicant has verified eligibility as an active member of, or the spouse of an active member of the Armed Forces of the United States; is a veteran or a veteran’s surviving spouse.

Levels of Examination

Social work examinations are given on a national basis.

  • Bachelors (LSW)
  • Masters (LMSW)
  • Clinical (LCSW)
  • Advanced Generalist (LISW)

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
17126 Mountain Run Vista Court, Culpeper, Virginia 22701
(800) 225-6880 (General) | (888) 579-3926 (Candidate Registration Center)
Website: www.aswb.orgE-mail: info@aswb.org

Testing

  • The state of Nevada uses examinations developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB bases exams on periodic surveys).
  • Tests are administered at various sites throughout the state utilizing a computer touchscreen. You are given four hours to complete the exam.
  • Each examination is graded immediately following completion and the participant is informed of the results on-site.
  • Exams can be taken in any state in any designated site across the country as
    the scores will be forwarded to the licensing state upon completion for a fee of $30.00.
  • There is no limitation to the number of times the exam can be taken in Nevada;
    however, you must wait 90 days before retaking the exam.

When am I licensed?

You are licensed after you complete the appropriate paperwork, submit it to the Nevada Board of Examiners (BOE), pass the appropriate exam, and receive your license in the mail.


To download an application for either the LSW, LISW, or LCSW:

  • Click the application and forms that are applicable.

What rules and regulations am I bound to once I become licensed?


Licensure Renewals and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

License renewals are due annually by the last day of the month of your birth.

If you fail to renew by your due date, you may NOT practice social work until all renewal requirements have been met.

Renew your license at http://services.socwork.nv.gov/lic/renew/index.asp.

License Renewals are Due Annually

License renewals are due annually by the last day of the month of your birth. The board will send you an email and a reminder postcard in the mail 45 days prior to your renewal date.

Is Your Address Current?

It is your responsibility to ensure that the board has current contact information, which includes email and mailing address.  Failure to update this information may result in you not receiving information from the Board. 

Continuing Education

Continuing education requirements are due bi-annually Below are 2024; Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion goes from 2 to 6 CEUs.

LSW, LMSW and LASW

Must complete at least 30 continuing education hours every 2 years, of which,

  • 2 hours must be in suicide prevention and awareness (uploaded),
  • 6 hours in cultural competency, diversity, equality and inclusion
  • 4 hours must relate to ethics in the practice of social work and
  • 10 hours must be in your field of practice.

LCSW and LISW

Must complete at least 36 continuing education hours every 2 years, of which, 

  • 2 hours must be in suicide prevention and awareness (uploaded), 
  • 6 hours in cultural competency, diversity, equality and inclusion
  • 4 hours must relate to ethics in the practice of social work and
  • 12 hours must be in your field of practice. 

CEU Collection Cycles and CEU Content

The board collects Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in two-year collection or reporting cycles.  To find out whether you are on an even year or odd year cycle, you can go the "Verify a License" link on the home page and look yourself up.  It will show you which year your CEU collection cycle ends.

When you are planning your CEUs, please remember that NAC 641B.187.5 states "a licensee may not take a program of continuing education which presents the same material he or she took during the immediately preceding reporting period."  This has been an issue for licensees related to their mandated suicide prevention CEUs.  For example, if you had had a 2019 collection cycle and took "Workshop A" in 2019, you could not take that workshop again until you were in your 2023 collection cycle.     

Changes Coming 2024

Starting on January 1, 2024, A.B. 267 changes the cultural competency, diversity, equity and inclusion requirement from 2 CEU hours to 6 CEU hours. If you renew after this date you will need to upload 6 CEUs in CDEI not 2.

The education must be based upon a range of research from diverse sources. Must address persons of different cultural backgrounds:  

•Persons from various gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds;

•Persons from various religious backgrounds;

•Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons;   

•Children and senior citizens; Veterans; Persons with a mental illness;

•Persons with an intellectual disability, developmental disability or physical disability;

•Persons who are part of any other population that the holder of a license issued pursuant to this chapter may need to better understand, as determined by the Board.

Waiver of Continuing Education Requirements

Per request, the Board may waive ALL BUT the legislatively mandated Suicide Prevention and Cultural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion requirements continuing education requirements.

Consequences of Failure to Renew by Due Date

If you fail to renew by your due date, you may NOT practice social work until all renewal requirements have been met.

  • NEVADA HAS NO GRACE PERIOD FOR RENEWALS - A licensee whose license becomes delinquent or expires may NOT engage in the practice of social work until the license has been renewed or restored.
  • Nevada has no "inactive" status, licenses must be renewed annually.

How can the NASW-Nevada Chapter help you with licensure and continuing education? Why should I join?

Your Nevada chapter is here to help with the new requirements!

Check out some of the on-demand classes:

A Conversation About Healing Racism

This Northeastern District cultural competency CEU Virtual Training will explore and discuss how racism has shaped our personal and professional lives. 

Credit(s):1.5 CEU Course Number: IL20200715 
Duration:1 hour 26 minutes 
Access: Available for 5 months after purchase 
Non-Member $38.00 - Member $23.00 
Sign up here ----> https://naswinstitute.inreachce.com/Details/Information/48db64db-e240-46d3-9994-5b04ebe6878e

Suicide Prevention: Black Youth Lives Matter Too!

In the last several decades, suicide attempts among black adolescents has increased by 73% while attempts among white youth have decreased. Why aren't we sounding the alarm and doing more to raise awareness of this crisis? During this workshop, we will discuss the additional challenges faced by black youth, explore strategies to break down barriers, increase cultural competency amongst providers and the role of racial socialization as a protective strategy in reducing suicide attempts amongst black youth.


LGBTQ+ Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: “Somewhere” Over the Rainbow"

The National Institutes of Health have designated sexual and gender minorities (SGM), also known as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, intersex, and other people.

The National Institutes of Health have designated sexual and gender minorities (SGM), also known as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, intersex, and other people who do not “fit” within the traditional heteronormative binaries as health disparate populations. SGM experience significantly higher rates of mood, anxiety, and behavioral/substance use disorders, suicidality among other mental health issues. Emerging evidence indicates that SGM also have significantly higher rates of some chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. In this presentation, Dr. Hoy-Ellis will share how past and ongoing marginalization, exclusion, and discrimination are the ‘causes of these health conditions through the framework of the Health Equity Promotion Model. He will also offer key strategies for providing culturally sensitive, effective services for SGM, from adolescence through older adulthood.


Cultural Diversity, Cultural Competence, and Ethical Social Work Practice

The United States of the 21st century is a patchwork land of many cultures: racial, ethnic, religious, geographic, gender, age, and even physical status. Each culture has its own worldview, relationship guidelines, family structure, spiritual mindsets, and values. In their work, social workers inevitably encounter persons from cultures different from their own, and these differences can be challenging obstacles to effective, ethical practice.

The values of the profession, as articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics, ask us to honor the dignity and worth of our clients, to respect their autonomy, and to practice competently. The ethical mandate of competence includes what has been called “Cultural Competence”.

We will address the idea that some situations may make ethical competence impractical or impossible, and approaches to these situations. We will also address the benefit, when working cross-culturally, of maintaining an attitude of humility and interest in other cultures.


Credit(s):1.5 Clinical
1.5 Ethics
Course Number: VT20210317
Duration:1 hour 30 minutes
Access: Available for 6 months after purchase
Non-Member $35.00 - Member $25.00

Sign up here: ----> https://naswinstitute.inreachce.com/Details/Information/f2c271cd-6c76-42d0-9fef-825591921d64

Historical Trauma in Tribal Cultures: What Social Workers Need to Know

Presented by Sarah Deer, J.D.

In this webinar, participants will learn about historical trauma and why it matters to social workers. The workshop presenter will provide historical background on tribal communities in the United States and how historical trauma manifests itself in contemporary settings.   

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what is meant by the phrase “historical trauma”
  • Learn about important areas of knowledge about Native people, including diversity, history, culture, and contemporary realities
  • Discuss some differences between some native cultures and Judeo-Christian cultures.
  • Describe several protective factors that support the resilience of Native people. 

Virtual Review Course/Prep Test 

The NASW-Nevada Chapter LSW/LCSW Review Course is a unique course which will cover the format and structure of the LSW/LCSW examination as well as the most current content areas as determined by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) for licensure. Practice questions will be reviewed to illustrate test-taking strategies and reinforce content material.

For more information and to register for an upcoming course goto: https://naswnv.socialworkers.org/Events/LSW-LCSW-Review-Course

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