[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":3,"doc-seo-328867-105":59,"doc-detail-328867-en":131},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,51,55],{"id":8,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":10,"show_sort_weight":11,"slug":12},1,"Document","Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":14,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":15,"show_sort_weight":16,"slug":17},2,"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":19,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":20,"show_sort_weight":21,"slug":22},4,"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":24,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":25,"show_sort_weight":26,"slug":27},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":29,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":30,"show_sort_weight":31,"slug":32},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":34,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":35,"show_sort_weight":36,"slug":37},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":39,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":40,"show_sort_weight":41,"slug":42},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":44,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":45,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":47},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":46,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":49,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":50},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":52,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":53,"show_sort_weight":52,"slug":54},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":56,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":57,"show_sort_weight":24,"slug":58},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":60,"data":61},"ok",{"site_id":62,"language":63,"slug":64,"title":65,"keywords":66,"description":67,"schema_data":68,"social_meta":124,"head_meta":126,"extra_data":128,"updated_unix":130},105,"en","information-for-licensed-clinical-social-workers-from-other-states-reciprocity","Information for Licensed Clinical Social Workers from Other States - Reciprocity","","Guidance for licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) seeking licensure in California when coming from other states. Explains that California has no statewide reciprocity agreement, so applicants must meet all California requirements before practicing psychotherapy. Covers differences in employment and licensure rules across states, California’s requirements tied to MSW degrees from accredited programs, and the need to follow the Board of Behavioral Sciences laws, regulations, and application instructions. Advises recordkeeping, reviewing forms online, and completing required post-graduate course work.",{"@graph":69,"@context":123},[70,84,106],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":35,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/information-for-licensed-clinical-social-workers-from-other-states-reciprocity/328867/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/information-for-licensed-clinical-social-workers-from-other-states-reciprocity/328867.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Oliver","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-22","2026-09-21",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":105},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",11,{"@type":107,"mainEntity":108},"FAQPage",[109,115,119],{"name":110,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":112},"Does California offer reciprocity for LCSWs licensed in other states?","Question",{"text":113,"@type":114},"No. California does not have a reciprocity agreement with any state, so social workers must meet all California requirements to become an LCSW.","Answer",{"name":116,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What are the general licensing expectations when an applicant is from out of state?",{"text":118,"@type":114},"Applicants must follow California’s laws and regulations, complete the LCSW application steps, and meet education and other specified requirements listed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.",{"name":120,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":121},"Why does California require an LCSW for psychotherapy?",{"text":122,"@type":114},"In California, BSW and MSW holders are employed as social workers without a license, but to perform psychotherapy California requires practitioners to hold an LCSW.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":125,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":127,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":129,"site_id":62},328867,1790129045,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":132},{"doc_id":129,"user_id":133,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":34,"category_name":35,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":105,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":14,"language":140,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":144,"read_time":24},8796095461610,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_276721f389ce27ea32af1340a28f341c","N A S W  \nNational Association of Social Workers California Chapter  \nInformation for Licensed Clinical Social Workers from Other States  \nReciprocity  \nCalifornia does not have a reciprocity agreement with any state; consequently, any social worker wishing to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California must meet all state requirements.  \nEmployment  \nEvery state in the nation has very different requirements and guidelines for employment and licensure and these requirements can be viewed and compared online at [http://www.aswbdata.powerlynxhosting.net/](http://www.aswbdata.powerlynxhosting.net/) .  \nIn California, individuals with BSWs and MSWs are employed as social workers without holding a license. However, to perform psychotherapy, California requires the practitioner to have an LCSW. This license requires a person to have an MSW from an Accredited School of Social Work. For specifics guidelines and regulations, please read Sections 4496.2 – 4996.17 of the Laws and Regulations, which can be found on the Board of Behavioral Sciences website [at](at www.bbs.ca.gov)[ ](at www.bbs.ca.gov)[www.bbs.ca.gov](at www.bbs.ca.gov).  \nNASW-CA also offers a Job Bulletin in which employers throughout California advertise social work positions. This document is updated every two weeks and can be found on the NASW-CA Chapter’[s website at](s website at www.naswca.org)[ ](s website at www.naswca.org)[www.naswca.org](s website at www.naswca.org).  \nCalifornia Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) The regulatory and licensing body in California Telephone: (916) 574-7830  \nEmail:  [BBSWebMaster@bbs.ca.gov](BBSWebMaster@bbs.ca.gov)  \nWeb:  [http://www.bbs.ca.gov](http://www.bbs.ca.gov)  \nKeep Records  \nThroughout the process, keep written record of communications with the Board. Be pro-active, visit the BBS website, read the section on forms and publications, be persistent, and inform the Board of any changes to personal information.  \nKnow the Licensing Requirements  \nRead the licensing requirements listed and updated on the BBS website under“Laws and Regulations.” Applicants can download this document, applications, and forms from the web site at no cost.  \nIt is strongly suggested that applicants read“The Laws and Regulations Relating to the Practice of Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, Licensed Clinical Social Work and Licensed Educational Psychology”– Article 4 Clinical Social Workers Sections 4996.1 through 4998.6.  \nComplete LCSW Application  \nAfter becoming familiar with the Law and Regulations , download the LCSW Application and Instructions from the Board’[s website at](s website at www.bbs.ca.gov under)[ ](s website at www.bbs.ca.gov under)[www.bbs.ca.gov](s website at www.bbs.ca.gov under)[ under](s website at www.bbs.ca.gov under)“Forms and Publications.”  \nAccording to the “2006 Laws and Regulations” (Experience Gained Outside of California),“A person who qualifies for licensure based on experience gained outside of California may apply for and receive an associate registration to practice clinical social work.” This means that a person holding a valid LCSW in another state and wishing to perform psychotherapy in this state before obtaining the California LCSW, must (a) register as an Associate Social Worker (ASW) with the BBS and (b) contract with a licensed professional who agrees to assume legal responsibility for the his or her work until a California LCSW is obtained. The ASW Application and Instructions can also be downloaded [from](from www.bbs.ca.gov under)[ ](from www.bbs.ca.gov under)[www.bbs.ca.gov](from www.bbs.ca.gov under)[ under](from www.bbs.ca.gov under)“Forms and Publications.”  \nFor more details, please visit [http://www.naswca.org/Licensure.htm](http://www.naswca.org/Licensure.htm).  \nObtain Post Graduate Course Work  \nOut of state applicants who submit a LCSW application on or after January 1, 2004, must submit proof of meeting the following educational requirements:  \nSubstance Abuse (15 ","cbCaihHItcvHhhyK","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaihHItcvHhhyK","pdf",118066,"English","# Reciprocity\n## Employment\n## Keep Records\n## Know the Licensing Requirements\n## Complete LCSW Application\n## Obtain Post Graduate Course Work\n## 3200 Supervised Clinical Hours\n## Be Deemed Eligible","[{\"question\":\"Does California offer reciprocity for LCSWs licensed in other states?\",\"answer\":\"No. California does not have a reciprocity agreement with any state, so social workers must meet all California requirements to become an LCSW.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the general licensing expectations when an applicant is from out of state?\",\"answer\":\"Applicants must follow California’s laws and regulations, complete the LCSW application steps, and meet education and other specified requirements listed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.\"},{\"question\":\"Why does California require an LCSW for psychotherapy?\",\"answer\":\"In California, BSW and MSW holders are employed as social workers without a license, but to perform psychotherapy California requires practitioners to hold an LCSW.\"}]","Information for Licensed Clinical Social Workers from Other States - Reciprocity | PDF",1789981401]