Provisional Social Worker License in Colorado

Colorado issues the Provisional Social Worker license as an entry point for MSW graduates beginning their supervised practice toward full licensure. Colorado's social work licensing tiers include Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Provisional Social Worker, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The state requires continuing education for renewal and passage of a third-party exam, typically the ASWB exam at the appropriate level. Military personnel are exempt from certain licensing requirements under Colorado law, facilitating easier transition for military families. Colorado's Division of Professions and Occupations oversees social work licensing. The Front Range corridor from Denver to Colorado Springs and Fort Collins has the highest concentration of social work positions, but rural mountain and western slope communities face significant workforce shortages. Colorado has been a leader in integrating behavioral health into primary care settings, creating new roles for clinical social workers. The state has explored participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact to improve workforce mobility.