Start your social work career with the glitz of Las Vegas, the trails and wildlife of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and a statewide network of over 7,800 social workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nevada is also the second top paying state for all other social workers (excluding those in healthcare, mental health, and substance abuse, and in child, family, and school specializations). 

This guide to becoming a social worker in Nevada outlines educational requirements, licensing, social work organizations to join, and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Nevada, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Silver State.

Information below was retrieved January 2026 and is only meant to be a high-level overview. Requirements may change, always check with the state licensing board for complete and up to date information.

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs

University of Denver

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s Online MSW Program is delivered by its top-ranked school of social work and offers two programs. Students can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 27 months for the Online MSW.

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Syracuse University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program does not require GRE scores to apply and is focused on preparing social workers who embrace technology as an important part of the future of the profession. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks are available.

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Simmons University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

Request more info from Simmons University.

Howard University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

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Hawaii Pacific University

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Master of Social Work

The online Master of Social Work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas. 

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Common Steps to Become a Nevada Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Nevada, you must earn a CSWE-accredited BSW or MSW and obtain the license level that matches your career path. Nevada offers four primary social work license levels: LSW, LMSW, LISW, and LCSW. Below are the steps for obtaining each type of license in Nevada, summarized from the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.

1. Earn a CSWE-accredited social work degree

To become a licensed social worker in Nevada, you will have to complete a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). You can pursue these degrees in Nevada through various formats, including full time, part time and online.

2. Fulfill your social work supervised experience requirement, and pass your national/state exams

Nevada has three levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:

Licensed social worker (LSW): A person with an accredited bachelor’s degree in social work who has passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam. Generally, LSWs in Nevada can provide basic non-clinical social work services.

Licensed independent social worker (LISW): MSW required; pass the ASWB Master’s exam and ASWB Advanced Generalist exam, and complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised internship.Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): MSW (or doctoral degree) required; pass the ASWB Master’s exam and ASWB Clinical exam, and complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised internship.

3. Get licensed

Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Nevada.

Learn more on how to become a social worker.

Nevada’s CSWE-accredited social work degrees are offered through two universities, UNLV and UNR, each with an accredited BSW and MSW program. A bachelor’s degree in social work online or on-campus will allow you to enter an advanced standing MSW program, which can be completed in about one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions. There are two universities offering CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Nevada:

In order to obtain higher level licenses in Nevada, however, a minimum of an MSW is required. Some individuals further their education and experience in social work by pursuing a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree.

MSW programs in Nevada teach students advanced social work theories and practical knowledge. MSW programs may include coursework on topics such as human development, social work policy and intervention. Nevada has two CSWE-accredited MSW programs, offered through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). UNR also offers a fully online MSW option through the same accredited program.

Nevada currently has one fully online, CSWE-accredited MSW option, offered by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). UNR’s online MSW is delivered online while maintaining the program’s core curriculum expectations, and courses are taught by University of Nevada, Reno faculty. Students also complete required field education/field placement as part of the degree.

Nevada has four types of licenses for social workers: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Nevada also recognizes a Licensed Associate in Social Work (LASW) (a separate license category under agency supervision). In Nevada, you must be licensed to represent yourself as a social worker and to practice social work. Nevada’s advanced practice licenses (LISW and LCSW) require an MSW, a Board-approved post-graduate internship, and the required ASWB exams. All information below on LSW, LMSW, LISW and LCSW credentials was retrieved from the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.

Becoming an LSW allows you to practice general, non-clinical social work as part of an agency or organization.

Becoming an LISW allows you to practice more advanced non-clinical social work and practice independently.

Becoming an LCSW allows you to practice clinical and non-clinical social work services independently after licensure.

Note: Nevada also recognizes the Licensed Associate in Social Work (LASW) as a legacy license category, but it is not available for new applicants. 

Information on the above social work salaries in Nevada was retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Nevada in January 2026.

Nevada students can find social work funding through a mix of university-based scholarships (for admitted social work students) and loan repayment programs for licensed clinicians who work in underserved communities. Availability, award amounts, and deadlines can change year to year, so always confirm details on the official program page before applying.

Nevada social workers and students can connect with professional associations and campus-based groups for continuing education, licensure updates, advocacy, networking, and job resources. Better social work means better solutions for welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, healthcare reform and other issues affecting the disadvantaged populations in Nevada and beyond.

Nevada doesn’t offer automatic reciprocity, but it does allow licensure by endorsement for out-of-state social workers who hold an equivalent active license, meet Nevada’s education requirements, submit required verifications (including ASWB scores if applicable), and pay the applicable fee.  

Nevada social work licenses are renewed annually (online), but continuing education is tracked in two-year CEU collection cycles and CE documentation is uploaded on your collection-cycle renewal. LSW, LMSW (and LASW) licensees must complete 30 CE hours every 2 years, including 2 hours in suicide prevention and awareness, 6 hours in cultural diversity, equity and inclusion (CDEI), 4 hours in ethics, and 10 hours in the licensee’s field of practice (the remaining hours are flexible). LISW and LCSW licensees must complete 36 CE hours every 2 years, including 2 hours in suicide prevention, 6 hours in CDEI, 4 hours in ethics, and 12 hours in the licensee’s field of practice (the remaining hours are flexible).

The best way to look up your Nevada social work license is to use the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers’ Online Licensure Verification tool, where you can search by name (and other identifiers) to view your license number, status, and public details.

Last updated in January 2026.