How to Get Your LCSW License in Kansas (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Kansas Kansas faces one of the most acute rural mental health shortages in the Great Plains. With 77 of the state's 105 counties designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), LCSWs in Kansas are not merely in demand — they are essential to public health infrastructure. Kansas participates in the LCSW Compact, and the state's Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) oversees a clear, well-documented licensure pathway. Here is the 2026 guide to your Kansas LCSW. ### Step 1: Complete Your MSW Degree A CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work is required. Kansas-based programs include the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare (Lawrence) and Kansas State University (Manhattan). Both offer clinical concentrations that align directly with ASWB Clinical exam content. For those who completed a BSW, advanced standing MSW programs can reduce your graduate study to one year. Online CSWE-accredited programs are fully accepted by the BSRB. Ensure your program includes clinical fieldwork — experience with assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy is directly tested on the ASWB. ### Step 2: Accumulate Supervised Clinical Hours Kansas requires **3,000 post-MSW supervised clinical hours** over a minimum of **two years**. Requirements: - Supervision must be provided by a Kansas LCSW or board-approved clinical supervisor - Direct supervision contact must be documented and signed off regularly — the BSRB audits supervision logs - Hours must consist of direct clinical services: individual/group/family therapy, clinical assessment, crisis intervention, treatment planning - Telehealth clinical hours and telehealth supervision hours are accepted In rural Kansas, finding an LCSW supervisor can be challenging. The BSRB permits supervision via synchronous video, which significantly broadens access. Some employers in rural CMHCs provide supervision as part of the employment package — this is worth negotiating during the job offer process. ### Step 3: Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam Kansas requires the **ASWB Clinical Examination** for LCSW licensure. - **170 questions** (150 scored + 20 pilot) - **4 hours** to complete - **~$260 ASWB registration fee** - Content: Human Development & Diversity, Assessment & Intervention, Psychotherapy, Professional Ethics After completing your supervised hours, apply through ASWB at aswb.org. Testing is administered at Pearson VUE centers statewide. The BSRB requires ASWB to transmit your score directly to the board. ### Step 4: Submit Your Application The **Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)** licenses Kansas LCSWs. Your application includes: - Completed LCSW application form (ksbsrb.org) - Official MSW transcripts from your program - Supervision verification (BSRB Form SV or equivalent) signed by your supervisor - ASWB Clinical exam pass confirmation - Background check authorization - **Application fee: approximately $75–$125** The BSRB typically processes complete applications within 4–6 weeks. Kansas licenses are valid for two years from the date of issuance. **LCSW Compact:** Kansas is a compact member. A Kansas LCSW can obtain compact privileges for telehealth practice or relocation across other member states without completing full state-by-state applications. ### Continuing Education Requirements Kansas requires **40 CE hours per two-year renewal cycle**, including: - **3 hours** of ethics - **2 hours** of domestic violence/cultural competency (verify current board requirements) Approved providers include NASW-Kansas, PESI, CE4Less, Relias, and any provider approved by ASWB or NASW nationally. Kansas does not mandate specific clinical topic areas beyond ethics, giving practitioners flexibility. ### Kansas LCSW Salary Ranges Kansas salaries are moderate relative to national averages but stretch well given the cost of living: - **Wichita / Johnson County (hospital and outpatient):** $57,000–$80,000 - **Community mental health centers (Valeo, Bert Nash, Horizons Mental Health):** $50,000–$68,000 - **Private practice:** $55,000–$85,000+ - **School-based:** $50,000–$65,000 - **State government (KDADS, SRS):** $52,000–$72,000 - **Rural critical access hospital or FQHC:** $55,000–$75,000 + NHSC loan repayment potential - **Telehealth:** $58,000–$80,000 Rural Kansas LCSWs working in HPSA-designated areas are often eligible for NHSC loan repayment awards of $25,000–$50,000, dramatically improving total compensation. ### Top Employers for Clinical Social Workers in Kansas - **Via Christi Health (Ascension)** — Wichita-based system, largest private employer in Kansas, with behavioral health units at multiple hospitals - **University of Kansas Health System** — Kansas City-area academic medical center with social work positions across clinical departments - **Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)** — state positions in psychiatric hospitals, community programs, and oversight roles - **Valeo Behavioral Health Care** — Topeka-area CMHC serving Shawnee County and surrounding areas - **Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center** — Lawrence-area CMHC; strong reputation, consistent LCSW hiring - **Horizons Mental Health Center** — Hutchinson; serves south-central Kansas rural counties - **Stormont Vail Health** — Topeka regional health system with behavioral health integration - **VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System** — Topeka and Leavenworth campuses; federal employment with veterans mental health focus