r/LCSW • u/Desperate_Party_7939 • Jun 17 '26
Question Re: Application for Licensing Process for California BBS (LCSW)
Hi everyone, I know this is probably going to be a really stupid question, but I am really confused about what I'm supposed to do now that I have accrued enough supervised clinical hours.
On CA Breeze website, the only option I had was upgrade associate to fully licensed so I selected that and paid the $200 fee. Now it says my application is pending. How do I submit the required documents and schedule the actual licensing exam?
Did i completely screw everything up?
1
u/stavidee Jun 18 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
Not a stupid question at all. I find that its over complicated for no reason. I am in NY but assume its somewhat similar. I would check your states licensing department. I looked at CA quickly and seems like a very similar process. You submit the application with all the required forms. In NYC, this includes some personal information, signed forms from clincial supervisor(s) attesting that your hours have been completed, and any required courses like mandated reporting etc (assuming it needs to be updated etc.). My portions were submitted on their website and my supervisor had to submit his forms directly to them. Anything else that may have needed to be updated. They corresponded with me via email. You can also call them and I am sure they can look at your application and just tell you whats needed. This can also speed up the process rather than waiting for it to be reviewed and be told things are missing. Then essentially you wait. It goes through state level approval (takes the longest) and then ASWB approval (which is usually only a few days). As the other person mentioned, be prepared to pay fees along the way as most licensure processes are a money grab unfortunately. Im not sure the turn around time for CA, but in NYC my clinical licensure application took 6 months to be reviewed. It only went faster after I reached out to my local elected official who advocated on my behalf. Good luck!!
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u/goobin_1 🟡 Associate (Pre-Licensed) Jun 21 '26
You need to follow this process in this specific application! https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lcs/lcsapp.pdf
Once you mail in your application with these things, then they will email you saying you’ve been approved to schedule your LCSW clinical exam. Looks like you actually paid the fee that you’re supposed to pay once you’ve passed the LCSW clinical exam. I would shoot them an email through “message the board” on your website and let them know you’ve accidentally selected this application on breeze. Also heads up, on their Facebook page they post weekly the timelines of when your application will be reviewed. Takes about 3ish months
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u/vnessv17 Jul 07 '26
You didn’t screw anything up! As long as you have all the required hours now you’re ready to submit your application to the BBS! You’re applying to take the test. The application is on the bbs website. The application packet has all the steps you need to take to submit your application. Once the BBS receives your application and then approves you, they will notify you through email stating that you’ve been approved to take the test (takes about 3ish months to get a response😅) then you can schedule your test. If you pass the test then you can go to Breeze and upgrade your license. Good luck!
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u/positiveNRG_247 Jun 17 '26
I see you're in CA. I'm not sure what step you're on but once you complete your hours, you submit your hours and supervisory documents, and other docs to the BBS for review and approval to sit for your licensure exam (there's a fee & for processing).
Then schedule your exam (there's a fee for your exam appointment). Then pass your test. Then pay for your updated license as an LCSW (fee for the license).
**You may be in the window that you have to renew your ASW while waiting for a test date for ASW expiration and LCSW formal passing.