New-mexico LBSW Requirements: Hours, Exams & Step-by-Step Guide

Licensure as a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) in New Mexico is governed primarily by the Social Work Practice Act (NMSA 1978, §61‑31) and the New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 63, particularly 16.63.9 NMAC “Baccalaureate Social Worker.” (law.justia.com)

A key point for New Mexico: there is no numeric post‑degree hour requirement (e.g., 1,500 supervised hours) for initial LBSW licensure. All hour-based experience requirements in board rules apply to independent/clinical licensure at the master’s level, not to the baccalaureate license. (srca.nm.gov)

Below is a step‑by‑step guide, using the board’s own rule language where relevant.

---

1. Licensure level and legal authority

The New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners (under the Regulation and Licensing Department) issues three main social work licenses: (publichealthonline.org)

• Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Licensed Clinical / Independent Social Worker (LCSW/LISW – terminology has evolved, but rules now group “clinical and independent” together)

For LBSWs, the controlling rule is 16.63.9 NMAC – Baccalaureate Social Worker, which states its objective is “to state the minimum requirements for licensure as a social worker at the baccalaureate level, to outline the parameters of practice, and the procedure to renew a license.” (srca.nm.gov)

---

2. Minimum qualifications for LBSW (no experience-hour requirement)

2.1 Board rule: 16.63.9.8 NMAC – “Qualification of licensure”

Under 16.63.9.8 NMAC, an applicant for licensure as a baccalaureate social worker must: (srca.nm.gov)

1. Age requirement

   • Be at least 18 years of age.

2. Education requirement

   • Possess a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

   CSWE requires that accredited BSW programs include at least 400 hours of field education, so in practice every New Mexico LBSW applicant has a minimum of ~400 practicum hours built into the degree, but this is an accreditation standard rather than a separate state “post‑degree” hour requirement. (publichealthonline.org)

3. Examination requirements

   • Successfully pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination at the Bachelors level.
   • Pass the New Mexico jurisprudence examination. (srca.nm.gov)

4. New Mexico cultures requirement

   • Document completion of the required course in New Mexico cultures. (srca.nm.gov)

   In practice the board accepts proof of any one of the following:

   • A three‑credit‑hour course in New Mexico cultures shown on your transcript, or
   • A board‑approved course, workshop, or seminar in New Mexico cultures, or
   • Proof of previously passing the New Mexico cultural examination (a board exam on New Mexico cultures). (phoenix.edu)

5. Criminal conviction disclosure

   • Provide proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions as defined in 16.63.13.9 NMAC (Disciplinary Action). (srca.nm.gov)

What is notably not in 16.63.9.8: there is no requirement for a specified number of supervised practice hours (e.g., 1,500 or 3,000 hours) to qualify for LBSW licensure. The rule lists age, degree, exams (ASWB + jurisprudence), New Mexico cultures training, and criminal‑history disclosure, and nothing more.

Multiple independent summaries of New Mexico licensure also confirm that no post‑degree supervised experience is specified for LBSW; only the clinical/independent license requires supervised hours. (cga.ct.gov)

---

3. Application components and process

Although 16.63.9 sets the substantive criteria, the practical process is detailed in the board’s application rules and guidance.

Typical sequence (based on board rules and official/university summaries): (srca.nm.gov)

1. Complete a CSWE‑accredited BSW

   • Ensure your degree is conferred and your final transcript reflects any New Mexico cultures course, if taken for credit.

2. Gather required documents

   • Official transcripts sent directly from your BSW program to the New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners.
   • Two personal character references.
   • One 2" × 2" recent photograph (passport‑style, taken within the last six months).
   • Evidence of meeting the New Mexico cultures requirement (course, workshop, or prior cultural exam) or plan to take the board’s cultural/jurisprudence exams. (phoenix.edu)

3. Apply to the Board (Application for Licensure)

   • Submit the LBSW application via the NM Regulation & Licensing Department online portal (Board of Social Work Examiners → Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker).
   • Pay the application fee (commonly listed as $75). (publichealthonline.org)

4. Complete the New Mexico jurisprudence exam

   • Taken as part of the online application.
   • Open‑book; passing score is at least 70%. (socialworkerlicense.com)

5. Document New Mexico cultures training

   • If not already satisfied via a for‑credit cultures course, complete a board‑approved cultures workshop/seminar or the stand‑alone New Mexico cultural exam, and upload the documentation.

6. Board authorization to test with ASWB

   • Once the Board verifies that your application, fees, transcripts, references, jurisprudence exam, and cultures requirement (or provisional plan) are in order, it authorizes you to sit for the ASWB Bachelors exam. (srca.nm.gov)

7. Take and pass the ASWB Bachelors exam

   • Register and pay ASWB’s exam fee (currently around $230 for the Bachelors exam; check ASWB for current pricing). (mswdegrees.org)

8. Issuance of LBSW license

   • After ASWB reports a passing score to the Board and all other requirements are met, the Board issues the LBSW license.
   • In some cases a one‑year provisional license may be issued while you are pending completion of the cultures requirement and/or ASWB exam, but this is at the Board’s discretion and subject to current rules. (publichealthonline.org)

---

4. Hours and supervision: what is and is not required

4.1 Experience hours not required for LBSW

New Mexico does not set any post‑BSW experience‑hour requirement for LBSW licensure. This is different from some states where LBSW applicants must document, for example, 3,000 hours of supervised practice.

The Board’s LBSW rule (16.63.9.8 NMAC) fully enumerates LBSW qualifications without mentioning any number of practice hours or supervision hours. (srca.nm.gov)

So, to answer your example directly:

• There is not a requirement such as 1,500 hours of direct experience and 1,500 hours of supervised experience for LBSW in New Mexico.
• The requirement is strictly degree + exams + New Mexico cultures training + age + criminal‑history disclosure, with no additional numeric hour thresholds at this level.

4.2 Hours that do exist in the pathway (but not as LBSW licensure prerequisites)

There are three other types of “hours” that sometimes cause confusion:

1. Field practicum hours within the BSW program

   • As noted, CSWE requires at least 400 hours of field education for BSW programs. This is completed before licensure, but it is an academic requirement, not a Board‑mandated supervised practice hour requirement like you see for clinical licensure. (publichealthonline.org)

2. Continuing education hours after licensure

   • Once licensed, an LBSW must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years, including 6 hours in cultural awareness, to renew the license. (elevatece.com)
   • These are education hours, not supervised practice hours.

3. Post‑graduate supervised experience for independent/clinical licensing (LISW/LCSW)

   • After earning an LMSW, those seeking independent/clinical licensure must complete 3,600 hours of licensed master’s‑level social work experience, accumulated over no more than 60 months (2–5 years). (regulations.justia.com)
   • Within those 3,600 hours, applicants must document 90 hours of supervision; at least 70 hours must be direct (face‑to‑face or approved telehealth) supervision, with up to 20 hours in small‑group supervision (no more than six supervisees). (srca.nm.gov)

These supervised hour requirements apply only to independent/clinical licensure, not to LBSW. You may start at the LBSW level and later pursue an MSW, become an LMSW, and then accumulate these hours if you want independent clinical practice.

---

5. Scope of practice and supervision expectations for LBSWs

5.1 Parameters of practice (16.63.9.9 NMAC)

16.63.9.9 NMAC describes the LBSW as: (srca.nm.gov)

• The entry licensing level, prepared to assume a beginning professional role in public and private social service agencies.
• Trained in human behavior in the social environment, generalist social work practice, social policy, and basic research use, and having had supervised field practicum experience during the BSW.
• Practicing “basic generalist” social work, including:
  • Assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation
  • Case management, information and referral
  • Counseling (within basic/generalist scope)
  • Supervision and consultation at an appropriate level
  • Education and advocacy
  • Community organization
  • Development and implementation of policies, programs, and activities

The rule also states explicitly that an LBSW “must not practice independently as a private practitioner.” (srca.nm.gov)

5.2 Supervision in Medicaid and other settings

Separate Medicaid provider rules (8.320.6 NMAC) stipulate that: (srca.nm.gov)

• LBSWs (and LMSWs) providing certain Medicaid behavioral health services must work under the supervision of a licensed independent social worker (LISW) or licensed psychologist (or other board‑approved supervisor).
• Services they provide must be within their scope of practice and “supervised and periodically evaluated.”
• A supervising practitioner must make and sign the diagnosis in Medicaid records when services are rendered by an LBSW or LMSW.

Again, this is ongoing practice supervision, not a fixed “hours to qualify for LBSW” requirement.

---

6. Renewal and continuing obligations

After you are licensed as an LBSW: (srca.nm.gov)

• Renewal cycle: Every two years, by July 1 of your renewal year.
• Continuing education: 30 CE hours per two‑year cycle, with at least 6 hours in cultural awareness; many providers must be board‑approved or ASWB/NASW‑approved.
• Inactive status: You may request inactive status but cannot practice while inactive; reactivation requires additional CE as detailed in 16.63.14 NMAC. (regulations.justia.com)

---

7. Summary in “hours” language

Putting it in the sort of format you asked for:

• Pre‑licensure practice hours required by the New Mexico Board for LBSW:

  • 0 hours of post‑degree supervised practice are required.
  • Your CSWE‑accredited BSW will have at least 400 hours of field education, but the Board does not add any extra “X hours direct + Y hours supervised” requirement for LBSW licensure. (publichealthonline.org)

• Post‑licensure education hours:

  • 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including 6 hours in cultural awareness, to maintain the LBSW license. (elevatece.com)

• Hours required later for independent/clinical licensure (not part of LBSW):

  • 3,600 hours of LMSW‑level social work experience, with 90 hours of documented supervision (at least 70 direct) over 2–5 years, to qualify for clinical/independent licensure (LCSW/LISW). (regulations.justia.com)

If you need, the next step would be to compare this New Mexico framework with another state that does require explicit supervised hours at the baccalaureate level so you can see the structural differences line‑by‑line.