Ohio LCSW & MFT Licensure

Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond

Outline of the state of Ohio

This guide breaks down everything you need to know — from education to exams to continuing education.

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Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 

How to become a Social Worker in Ohio

Step 1: Complete a CSWE-accredited Social Work program
Step 2: Gain Supervised Work Experience
  • Work a minimum of 2 years post-MSW and post-LSW experience with 150 hours of documented training supervision by an LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker with a supervisor designation)
  • Supervision should average one hour of individual or group supervision for every 20 hrs of work, with a minimum of 150 total hours of supervision for the 3,000 hours of supervised social work practice.
  • If you are only practicing part-time, you may not be credited with more than 1,500 hours of experience during any 12-month period. If you have more than 1,500 hours during your first 12 months, the excess cannot be carried over to the next 12-month period. If you do not complete your first 1,500 hours within the first 12 months, the time period to complete those hours is extended until you complete 1,500 hours. You can then begin the second 1,500 hours, which can take over a year but must be for a minimum of 12 months.
  • Once the hours are complete, supervisors must submit a Professional Employment Reference Form in order for applications to be fully processed.
Step 3: Apply for the Ohio LISW license
  • After your supervisor submits your forms, you can then begin the application process.
Step 4: Register for ASWB Clinical Exam
  • Receive pre-approval email from Ohio CSWMFT Board 
  • Pay examination fee of $260 to ASWB
  • Contact Pearson VUE to set exam appointment 
Step 5: Study with TDC and PASS with confidence!

LCSW Continuing Education Requirements

Pre-licensure - Social workers in OH have certain requirements, which is likely the case in other states as well.
License Renewal
  • Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by licensee’s birth month
  • Total Hours Required: 30 hours
  • Must include:
  • 3 hours Ethics
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
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Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

How to become a MFT in Ohio

Step 1: Earn Your Degree
  • Master’s in MFT or related field from COAMFTE- or Board-approved school
Step 2: Accrue Supervised Clinical Experience
  • 24 full months, during which time you are practicing marriage and family therapy 
  • Supervisor must meet standards established by the board
  • At least 1,000 hours of direct client contact
  • 500 hours must be relational and also receiving training supervision 
  • 200 of face-to-face supervision
  • A minimum of 100 hours must be individual supervision 
Step 3: Pass Required Exam
Step 4: Apply for LMFT Licensure
  • Submit supervised hours
  • Submit AMFTRB exam results
  • Submit official transcripts
  • Pay licensure application fee $100 + $3.50 processing fee

LMFT Continuing Education Requirements

 CE Requirements for Ohio MFTS
License Renewal
  • Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
  • Total Hours Required: 30 hours
  • Must include:
  • 3 hours Ethics
  • 3 hours Supervision for supervisors
  • 30 hours distance/online learning allowed
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE  

Disclaimer: Please confirm all information with your state licensing board, as requirements may change.

OH Licensing Board

Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family
Therapist Board (Ohio CSWMFT Board)
Website: https://cswmft.ohio.gov/
Phone: (614) 466-0912
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