MSW Licensure Information and Resources

Graduating MSW students are eligible to register and take the LSW exam during their final (graduating) semester in Pennsylvania. The LSW is a national exam. If a student passes the exam in Pennsylvania, they are able to apply for reciprocity in another state.

Please note that the LCSW (clinical) exam can be taken a minimum of three years in Pennsylvania (two years in New Jersey) post-LSW exam with the approval of a clinical supervisor. The LCSW exam is an exam separate from the LSW exam.

Licensure in Pennsylvania

The application no longer requires two recommendations from professional social workers. A Criminal Background Check is now required as part of the application for PA licensure. Also, there is a new requirement indicating that each applicant must complete the Self-Query form from the National Database of Clinicians within 6 months of the application. Details are contained in the application on the website.

State Boards must have official, final transcripts on file. Even if students pass the exam before graduation, they must send their official transcript to the State Board after graduation once degrees have been conferred. SP2 does not send the transcript on students’ behalf; students are responsible for ordering transcripts from the University Registrar. To ensure that a transcript is sent properly, students should check their unofficial transcripts in Path@Penn to ensure:

  1. that the degree has been conferred; and
  2. that all information is correct

Additionally, the SP2 Registrar will reach out directly with a degree conferral confirmation. Questions about the information displayed on a transcript should be addressed to the SP2 Registrar.

Please note that criminal history checks must be no older than 90 days from the date of Application for Licensure by examination.

Licensure in Other States

Exam Preparation

The MSW Program offers a licensure information session for students in their final semester. Please find the materials from the most recent session below.

Additional Resources

News

Newark skyline

Report: Newark guaranteed income pilot shows positive financial, health, family, and housing impacts 

New research from the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) offers insight into the efficacy of different forms of unconditional cash transfers and reveals the positive impact of guaranteed income on low-income families in Newark, NJ. 

News

DSW class photo

SP2 celebrates 2025 Doctorate in Clinical Social Work graduates

At the 2025 Commencement ceremony for Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), eighteen students were awarded their Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW). As part of the ceremony on Saturday, May […]

News

PhD class photo

Largest-ever PhD class graduates from Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice

At the 2025 Commencement ceremony of Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), eight students earned their Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) degrees — the largest graduating cohort in the program’s history.


Contact Us

Career Services Office

Suite 20, McNeil Building

3718 Locust Walk

Philadelphia, PA 19014-6209

Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm

Walk-in Hours for SP2 Students
Wednesdays, 2:30pm to 3:30pm

Sharon Fleshman
Senior Associate Director

215-898-4381

215-898-2687 (fax)

fleshman@upenn.edu

Esther Ra
Career Advisor

Available by appointment on Mondays and Thursdays.

estherra@upenn.edu

Patty Greenfield
Associate Director

pgreenf@upenn.edu