How to Get Your Texas LMSW License: A Step-by-Step Guide for Social Workers

Social work jobs in Texas will grow by over between 2020 and 2030. Healthcare social workers earn an average of $64,120 per year, which makes getting your Texas LMSW license a potentially rewarding career choice.

A Licensed Master Social Worker’s path in Texas comes with specific requirements and exams. The process starts with completing a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program that has 900 hours of field education. You must pass the ASWB Master’s exam and Texas Jurisprudence Exam to show your understanding of state regulations.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to get your Texas LMSW license, whether you just finished your MSW program or want to switch careers. Your trip to become a licensed social worker in the Lone Star State begins here.

Understanding LMSW License Requirements

You need to meet specific educational requirements, submit documents, and pay fees to get your Texas LMSW license. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need.

Education prerequisites

A Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program is the foundation of your LMSW license. Your MSW program must have supervised field placement while you’re enrolled in the university. Students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree can complete accelerated MSW programs in one year instead of two.

Required documentation

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) needs several documents with your LMSW application. You must pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam within six months before you submit your application. You’ll also need to provide:

• Official MSW transcripts sent directly from your educational institution
• National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query report
• ASWB Master’s exam scores forwarded by ASWB
• Completed fingerprinting for background check ^[4]

You can send electronic transcripts to transcripts@bhec.texas.gov. The mailing address for hard copies is BHEC SW Transcripts at 1801 Congress Ave, Ste. 7.300, Austin, TX 78701.

Fees and costs overview

Getting your Texas LMSW license requires several payments:

The original LMSW application costs $109.00, which breaks down to:

• Base fee: $100.00
• Texas.gov fee: $5.00
• Processing fee: $4.00

You’ll also need to pay these exam fees:

• Jurisprudence Exam: $39.00
• ASWB Master’s exam: $230.00

Your license needs regular renewal. The two-year LMSW renewal fee is $141.00, which includes:

• Base renewal fee: $135.00
• Processing fee: $4.00
• Texas.gov fee: $2.00

The board usually takes 8-10 weeks to process applications. They review your documents and approve you to take the ASWB Master’s exam during this time. Your LMSW license will be issued about two weeks after you pass the exam.

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses should fill out the Military Supplemental Form with their application. Late renewals come with penalties – you’ll pay 1.5 times the base fee if your license expired less than 90 days ago, and double the base fee for licenses expired between 90 days and one year.

Preparing for Required Exams

Your success in getting a Texas LMSW license depends on passing two significant examinations. A good grasp of their format and structure will help you prepare well.

Texas jurisprudence exam format

The Texas Jurisprudence Examination tests your knowledge of social work regulations and state laws. This online test has 126 questions that cover the Social Work Practice Act and Council rules. You’ll get a certificate when you complete it, which stays valid for six months before you submit your license application. The exam gives you three continuing education credits, but these credits won’t count toward your original licensure requirements.

ASWB masters exam structure

The ASWB Masters exam has 170 multiple-choice questions spread across four main content areas:

• Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment (27%)
• Assessment and Intervention Planning (24%)
• Interventions with Clients/Client Systems (24%)
• Professional Relationships, Values, and Ethics (25%)

Each area has specific competencies and knowledge statements that test your social work expertise . You get four hours to complete the exam, which includes 20 unscored questions used to develop future tests.

Study resources and materials

You have several good study options to help you prepare:

The ASWB Examination Guidebook is a great way to get useful tools, like a template to create your own study plans and detailed reference lists. The ASWB also provides an animated video that explains the testing process and special accommodation requests.

Universities offer excellent exam preparation resources. The DiNitto Center gives its recent graduates free online practice exams and physical study guides. These materials have detailed content outlines and practice questions with explanations.

Professional preparation courses typically offer:

• Audio lectures with printable materials
• Practice tests with detailed rationales
• Test-taking strategies
• Anxiety management techniques

Most study programs suggest you spend 2-12 weeks preparing for the exam. New test-takers find study groups with their program peers help them stay consistent with their preparation over several months. The study materials that match your learning style will boost your chances of success.

Submitting Your LMSW Application

The Texas LMSW application process happens online through the state’s licensing system. You’ll need to submit your application after completing your exams. Here’s what you need to do.

Creating your online account

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council’s online licensing portal is your first stop. New users need to create an account, while existing users can sign in directly. You’ll get your login details by email once you register.

Document submission process

The board reviews applications within six weeks of submission, and processes them as they arrive. You can upload your personal documents straight through your account. Here’s what you need:

• A completed online application with the $109 fee
• Texas Jurisprudence exam certificate
• Official ASWB Master’s exam scores (sent electronically by ASWB)
• Official transcripts showing your MSW degree conferral (sent directly from your university)
• National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report ($4 fee)
• Fingerprinting confirmation

The board asks that you wait the full six weeks before asking about your application unless they contact you first. The core team will reach out if they need more information or find missing items.

International graduates should know that foreign degrees must comply with Rule 22 TAC 882.11, which guides the Council’s review process. The board won’t review your qualifications beforehand, so make sure your credentials line up with Texas requirements before you submit.

You can ask the board staff questions after reviewing the application packet and Council rules. Note that incomplete applications will slow down the process. Your online account portal lets you track your application status and watch your document verification progress.

The board will issue your LMSW license once approved, and you can start supervised practice. You can then pursue Independent Practice Recognition (IPR) for non-clinical services or begin collecting supervised hours toward LCSW licensure.

Getting Your Background Check

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council needs electronic fingerprints to run a complete background check after you submit your LMSW application. This screening helps keep the social work profession safe and trustworthy.

Fingerprinting locations

IdenToGO (formerly MorphoTrust USA) works with the Behavioral Health Executive Council to provide fingerprinting services across the country. You’ll get an email with your unique service code and all the fingerprinting details once you submit your application.

You can book your fingerprinting appointment on the IdenToGO website or by calling 888-467-2080. Just pick “Digital Fingerprinting” on the website and enter your service code to set up your appointment. IdenToGO has locations all over the United States, so you can get your fingerprints done whatever your location.

Processing timeline

The actual fingerprinting takes about 15 minutes. Your fingerprints will be checked against several databases:

• Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) database for state-level arrests and dispositions
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database for national criminal history
• Texas sex offender registry
• National Sex Offender Registry

The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Records and Federal Bureau of Investigation send your background check results straight to the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. You can track your background check status on the IdenToGO website by clicking ‘Check the Status of your Service’.

Here’s what you need to know about the fingerprinting process:

• You must bring a photo
• The facility charges its own fee
• Digital scanning replaces old ink fingerprints
• You should submit your application first – the Council can’t check criminal records before that

You can ask about hard card ink fingerprints if electronic fingerprinting isn’t available in your area. Note that a criminal history doesn’t automatically stop you from getting licensed. The Council looks at each case individually and weighs different factors before making a decision.

Next Steps

Getting your Licensed Master Social Worker certification in Texas demands attention to detail and thorough preparation. You can direct yourself through the licensing process and avoid setbacks by properly preparing your documents, studying for exams, and completing background checks.

The process might look daunting at first glance. Breaking it into smaller steps makes everything more manageable. Your path starts with completing your MSW degree. Next comes passing both required exams. The final step involves submitting your application with all supporting documents. Each step brings your LMSW license closer to reality.

Timing plays a significant role in this process. Your jurisprudence exam certificate stays valid for six months. Background checks need to be current, and application processing usually takes 8-10 weeks. A well-organized approach to completing requirements helps create a smoother licensing experience.

Your commitment to becoming a licensed social worker in Texas unlocks meaningful career opportunities. The field offers strong job growth projections and competitive salaries. Your LMSW license becomes a powerful credential that advances your professional growth in the Lone Star State.

FAQs

Q1. What are the educational requirements for obtaining an LMSW license in Texas? To obtain an LMSW license in Texas, you need a Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. This program must include supervised field placement completed during university enrollment.

Q2. How much does it cost to apply for and maintain an LMSW license in Texas? The initial LMSW application fee is $109.00. Additional costs include $39.00 for the Jurisprudence Exam and $230.00 for the ASWB Master’s exam. The biennial LMSW renewal fee is $141.00.

Q3. What exams are required for the Texas LMSW license? Two exams are required: the Texas Jurisprudence Examination, which tests knowledge of state laws and regulations, and the ASWB Masters exam, which assesses social work expertise across various content areas.

Q4. How long does the LMSW application process take in Texas? The application processing typically takes 8-10 weeks. After passing the required exams, it takes about two more weeks for your scores to reach the board and for your license to be issued.

Q5. Is a background check required for the Texas LMSW license? Yes, a comprehensive background check is required. This involves electronic fingerprinting through IdenToGO. The results are sent directly to the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council from both state and federal databases.