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Both come from passing an ASWB exam, but they represent different levels of
social work practice. The short version: LMSW is the master’s-level license you can pursue
right after your MSW, while LCSW is the advanced clinical license that allows independent practice.
LCSW vs LMSW at a glance
| LMSW | LCSW | |
|---|---|---|
| ASWB exam | Masters exam | Clinical exam |
| When | After earning the MSW | After post-MSW supervised clinical hours |
| Practice | Generalist/non-independent clinical (varies by state) | Independent clinical practice, diagnosis, psychotherapy |
| Supervision | Often practices under supervision | Can practice independently and supervise others |
Which one applies to you?
- LMSW is typically the first license after your MSW — you pass the ASWB
Masters exam and can begin practicing, often under supervision. - LCSW comes later: after you complete supervised clinical hours, you pass the ASWB
Clinical exam to practice independently as a clinical social worker. - Many social workers do both in sequence — LMSW first, then LCSW once their
clinical hours are complete. Your state’s titles and rules are the final word.
Whichever you’re preparing for, timed, scenario-based practice is the way through.
Unlock 600+ LCSW practice questions across 4 full-length simulators — $19.99 lifetime →
Sources & references
The exam facts on this page are drawn from official certifying-body materials, reviewed 2026-06-18 by the DrCertifications exam-prep team (10+ years in exam preparation and publishing).