Licensed Master Social Worker License in Arkansas

Arkansas licenses social workers at multiple tiers, with the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) being the primary license identified in regulatory data. The LMSW requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passage of the ASWB Masters exam. Arkansas also offers the Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) for clinical practice, requiring additional supervised experience. A background check is mandatory for all applicants. Arkansas provides military expedited licensing, allowing veterans and military spouses to receive faster processing of their applications. Continuing education is required for biennial renewal, typically 30 hours. Arkansas is part of the broader national conversation around the Social Work Licensure Compact and has shown interest in facilitating interstate practice. The state faces workforce shortages in behavioral health, particularly in the Mississippi Delta region and rural Ozark communities. Community mental health centers and the Department of Human Services are among the largest employers of social workers in Arkansas.