3,000 total supervised hours
ASW resource center
Your path from ASW to LCSW.
Understand California’s clinical social work experience requirements, document your hours, and move toward LCSW licensure with fewer surprises.
Estimate your timelineStart here
How to become an LCSW in California
A step-by-step overview of the path from graduate education through associate registration, supervised experience, examinations, and licensure.
Open the full-size guide ↗
At a glance
Clinical Social Work experience requirements
Use these figures as an orientation—not as a substitute for reviewing current California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for your circumstances.
2,000 clinical hours minimum
750 hours of individual or group psychotherapy
104 supervised weeks minimum
This resource center is growing
Practical guidance is on the way.
Upcoming guides will break down qualifying experience, weekly supervision, required forms, registration renewals, examinations, and common mistakes—using the language of your discipline.