How to Get Your LCSW License in Georgia (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Georgia Georgia's behavioral health landscape is anchored by the greater Atlanta metro — one of the fastest-growing major metros in the US — but extends across a state with significant rural behavioral health needs, from the Appalachian foothills to the coastal plains. Georgia's Composite Board administers LCSW licensure with some of the lowest fees in the country, and the state's compact membership provides multistate practice flexibility. ### Step 1: Complete Your MSW Degree An **MSW from a CSWE-accredited program** is required. Georgia's strong MSW programs include: - **University of Georgia School of Social Work** (Athens) - **Georgia State University School of Social Work** (Atlanta) - **Clark Atlanta University Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work** — HBCU with strong community practice emphasis - **Kennesaw State University** and **Valdosta State University** (regional programs) Atlanta's size and the state's large population mean that many candidates also complete nationally accredited online programs. CSWE accreditation is non-negotiable — confirm it before enrolling. ### Step 2: Accumulate Supervised Clinical Hours Georgia requires **3,000 post-MSW supervised clinical hours** over at least two years. Georgia uses an intermediate credential — the **Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)** — which can be obtained immediately after graduation and the ASWB Master exam, allowing practitioners to work while accumulating LCSW hours. Supervision requirements: - Supervisor must hold an active Georgia LCSW with two or more years of post-licensure experience - Regular supervision (minimum frequency specified by the board) - Hours must be in direct clinical service Atlanta's enormous behavioral health infrastructure — hospital systems, county mental health, private practice groups, substance use programs — provides extensive options for supervised employment. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) operates a statewide CMHC network with supervised positions. ### Step 3: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam Georgia requires the **ASWB Clinical Examination**: - 170 questions, 150 scored - 4-hour time limit - Fee: approximately **$260** to ASWB - Multiple Pearson VUE testing centers in Atlanta metro and regional cities (Augusta, Savannah, Macon, Columbus) If you are upgrading from LMSW to LCSW, you will have already passed the ASWB Master exam — the Clinical exam is the next step. Both exams are delivered through the same Pearson VUE infrastructure. ### Step 4: Submit Your Application to the Georgia Composite Board Georgia's LCSW is administered by the **Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists** — a combined board that handles multiple mental health professions. **Application requirements:** - Completed LCSW application form - Official MSW transcripts - Verification of supervised hours (on board-approved forms) - ASWB Clinical exam scores - Application fee: approximately **$50–$100** (among the lowest in the country) - Criminal background check (Georgia's GBI process) Georgia's low application fee reflects a deliberate effort to reduce barriers to licensure. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks. Georgia is a **compact member of the LCSW Compact**, allowing Georgia-licensed LCSWs to apply for multistate practice privileges in other compact states — a significant benefit for telehealth providers in Atlanta serving clients regionally. ### Continuing Education Requirements Georgia LCSWs complete **35 hours of CE every two years**: - Required ethics hours (verify current requirement with the Composite Board) - CE from approved providers (NASW, accredited universities, licensed training organizations) - Online CE widely accepted NASW-Georgia and Georgia's university social work programs offer CE programming; Atlanta's size also means national conferences and trainings are frequently held locally. ### Georgia LCSW Salary Ranges Georgia salaries vary significantly between Atlanta metro and rural Georgia, but the overall market is strong: **Typical salary ranges by setting:** - **Community mental health (DBHDD network / CSB agencies):** $52,000–$70,000 - **Hospital systems (Piedmont Health, Emory, WellStar, Grady):** $62,000–$82,000 - **Private practice:** $65,000–$100,000+ - **VA Medical Centers (Atlanta, Augusta, Dublin):** $65,000–$85,000 (GS pay scale with Atlanta locality pay) - **School-based mental health:** $50,000–$67,000 - **Substance use treatment:** $52,000–$68,000 Atlanta commands the highest salaries. Savannah and Augusta are growing markets. Rural Georgia faces serious shortages with NHSC loan repayment opportunities available. ### Top Employers for Clinical Social Workers in Georgia - **Grady Health System** — major safety-net hospital in Atlanta; extensive behavioral health services - **Emory Healthcare** — academic medical center system in Atlanta - **Piedmont Healthcare** — large private health system across metro Atlanta and statewide - **WellStar Health System** — extensive metro Atlanta presence - **Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)** — state agency and Community Service Boards (CSBs) statewide - **VA Atlanta (Atlanta VAMC, Decatur)** and **Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (Augusta)** - **Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA)** — pediatric behavioral health - **Pathways Centers** — substance use and behavioral health treatment statewide - **View Point Health** — DBHDD Community Service Board serving northeast GA - **Behavioral Health Link** — crisis services and behavioral health in Atlanta metro