- 1). Graduate with a degree in social work from an accredited college or university. Three state schools offer a social workers program: the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University and Walla Walla University School of Social Work and Sociology. Pursue your Master's of Social Work (MSW), or doctorate from an accredited school. An advanced degree is required of both LASWs and LICSWs.
- 2). Get experience in the field. LICSWs must accumulate at least three years and 4,000 hours of experience after receiving their MSW. At least 1,000 hours must be direct-contact, or on-the-job, and 130 hours must be completed with an approved supervisor present. LSAWs, on the other hand, have at least two years and 3,200 hours of experience, with 800 direct-contact hours and 90 hours under approved supervision.
- 3). Pass the American Social Workers Board (ASWB) exam. LSAWs must pass the advanced exam, while LICSWs will have to pass the clinical version of the test. Licensed Social Worker exam applications can be obtained from the Department of Health. Pay the exam application fee of $25 and the test fee of $175. The license itself costs $25.
- 4). Join a professional organization such as the Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work, which has a program for new social workers, offering consultation and mentoring services.
- 5). Complete 36 hours of continuing education every two years after becoming licensed. At least six of the hours must be in ethics training. Continuing education may come in the form of seminars or workshops, as well as state-sponsored training programs.
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