An applicant for licensure as a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker must: (1) have a baccalaureate degree from a social work or social welfare program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or from a social work welfare program offered by a regionally-accredited institution and have passed an examination conducted by the board, or (2) have a baccalaureate degree in sociology or psychology from a regionally-accredited institution if the board finds that the training was substantially equivalent to that obtained in social work or social welfare programs and have passed an examination conducted by the board.

An applicant for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker must have a master's or doctoral degree from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and must have passed an examination conducted by the board.

An applicant for licensure as a Licensed Independent Social Worker must have a master's or doctoral degree from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education plus post-graduate social work education as approved by the board, have two years of professionally supervised experience satisfactory to the board in those services to be provided in private or independent practice, and have passed an examination conducted by the board.

The board shall conduct at least one examination each year for persons who desire to become a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker, a Licensed Master Social Worker, or a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Any person desiring to be examined by the board shall make application and pay a fee to the board in the manner prescribed by the board.