Start your social work career with the world’s best barbecue, pristine acres of warm waters of Hot Springs National Park, Ozark mountain trails, and a statewide network of almost 4,000 social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

This guide for how to become a social worker in Arkansas explains educational requirements, how to get licensed, social work organizations to join and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Arkansas, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Natural 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.

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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 an Arkansas Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Arkansas, you’ll need the degree and license level that match your intended career path. Arkansas offers three social work licenses: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). The minimum education required depends on the license (a BSW for LSW and an MSW for LMSW or LCSW). Applicants may also need to complete additional requirements, such as a criminal background check, and those pursuing the LCSW must meet clinical supervision standards. These steps are summarized from the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board’s published licensing guidance and rules. 

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become licensed in Arkansas, you must earn a CSWE-accredited social work degree at the level required for the license you want (a BSW for LSW, and an MSW for LMSW or LCSW). In Arkansas, you can find programs offered in full-time, part-time, and online/hybrid formats.  

2. Fulfill your social work supervised experience requirement and pass the appropriate ASWB licensing exam for your license level

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

Licensed social worker (LSW):  A person with a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) who has passed the ASWB Bachelor’s exam.

Licensed master social worker (LMSW): A person with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the ASWB master’s exam. 

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): A person with a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) who has passed the ASWB Clinical exam. LCSW applicants must also complete post-MSW supervised clinical experience, typically 4,000 hours over at least 24 months, under approved clinical supervision (including at least 100 hours of direct supervision).

3. Get Licensed

Once you’ve met the requirements for your chosen license level, you can apply for licensure with the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (the supervised experience requirement applies specifically to the LCSW).

Learn more on how to become a social worker.

Arkansas has multiple BSW and MSW degree programs. Arkansas has CSWE-accredited BSW programs offered at universities such as:

In Arkansas, an MSW is required for the LMSW and LCSW license levels. Some social workers also pursue a Doctor of Social Work (DSW), which is a practice doctorate focused on advanced leadership and practice. A DSW is not required for Arkansas licensure and is often pursued later in a career (sometimes through online programs).

MSW programs in Arkansas prepare students for advanced social work practice by combining theory, policy, and skills-based training with supervised field education. Coursework commonly covers human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy, research methods, and evidence-informed interventions. Arkansas has multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs, including options offered on campus and (in some cases) online. Examples include:

There are multiple fully accredited online MSW programs in Arkansas. Online MSW tracks cover the same core curriculum areas expected of CSWE-accredited MSW education, such as policy, practice, research, and required field education, though schedules and delivery formats vary by school.

Arkansas has three types of social work licenses: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). In Arkansas, a CSWE-accredited MSW is required for the LMSW and LCSW license levels, and the LCSW also requires post-MSW supervised clinical experience. All information on LSW, LMSW, and LCSW licenses below was retrieved from the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board.

An LSW may practice at the generalist level in organized settings and must practice under supervision by an LMSW, LCSW, or another qualified professional from a related field (supervision is recommended at least weekly).

An LMSW may provide social work services under supervision in a recognized, organized setting and must be supervised by an LCSW or other qualified professional from a related field (supervision is recommended at least weekly).

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

Information on the above social work salaries in Arkansas was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Arkansas in February 2026.

If you’re starting your path toward becoming an LSW, LMSW, or LCSW in Arkansas, you may be able to reduce costs through a mix of federal programs, professional association awards, and university-based fellowships. Examples include the NHSC Scholarship Program (HRSA) for eligible health professions with a service commitment, NASW Arkansas student awards/recognition (such as Student of the Year), and school-specific funding, such as the Benjamin Franklin Lever Fellowship at the University of Arkansas. 

There are countless local and national associations and organizations that promote, develop and protect the practice of social work and social workers. Better social work means better solutions for welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, health care reform, and other issues affecting disadvantaged people in Arkansas and beyond.

Arkansas does not have automatic reciprocity, but it does offer licensure by endorsement (sometimes called reciprocity). To qualify, you must hold an active license in another jurisdiction with standards the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board considers substantially equivalent, meet Arkansas’s education requirements for the comparable license level, submit license verification from every state where you’ve been licensed, and provide official ASWB exam scores (and complete the required background check and fees through the Board’s application portal).

Arkansas social workers renew their licenses every two years and must complete 30 hours of social work continuing education during the renewal period. At least 3 hours must be in ethics, and no more than 15 hours may be completed as an independent study. To renew, submit the renewal application through the Board’s online system and maintain documentation of completed CE. 

The best way to verify your Arkansas social work license is to use the Board’s public Social Worker Licensee Directory Search (Roster Search). Search by your name (and, if available, license level or city) to view your license number, status, expiration date, and any posted disciplinary indicators.  

Information last updated February 2026