LMSW guideRegistration and test day
How Much Does the LMSW Exam Cost? ASWB Fee and Licensing Costs
ASWB charges US$230 for the Masters exam. Board fees are separate, and a few optional or avoidable charges can raise the total.
Short answer
ASWB charges US$230 to register for the Masters exam, and the fee is nonrefundable. That is only ASWB's charge. Your licensing board's application and license fees are separate and vary by jurisdiction. Other costs depend on your situation: ASWB's optional online practice test is US$85, a retake means paying the exam fee again, and sending a passing score to another state's board costs US$40 per transfer.
US$230 goes to ASWB, and the board bills separately
The 2026 ASWB Examination Guidebook lists the Masters exam registration at US$230, the same as the Associate and Bachelors exams. The Advanced Generalist and Clinical exams are US$260. ASWB accepts Mastercard, Visa, and Discover, and all of its fees are nonrefundable.
The guidebook also says most jurisdictions charge application or licensing fees that are not part of the exam fee. You pay those to the board, at points in the process that differ from state to state. Some boards also require an extra state-specific exam that ASWB does not administer. Your board's website or staff can tell you both amounts.
A cost worksheet, in the order you meet each charge
| Step | Paid to | Amount | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| License application | Your board | Set by your jurisdiction | Required in most jurisdictions before you can register. In Colorado, Maine, Texas, and Utah, the first application is for exam preapproval with ASWB Licensing Services. |
| Masters exam registration | ASWB | US$230 | Required |
| ASWB online practice test | ASWB | US$85 | Optional. Sold only to registered candidates. |
| State-specific exam | Not ASWB | Set by your jurisdiction | Only if your board requires one |
| Retake registration | ASWB | US$230 again | Only after an unsuccessful attempt |
| Score transfer to another board | ASWB | US$40 per transfer | Only if you later apply for a license in another state or province |
The practice test is a single timed, full-length attempt. Access lasts 30 days from when you launch it, or until ASWB receives your exam scores, whichever comes first. It is optional, so decide whether a rehearsal is worth US$85 to you rather than buying it automatically at registration.
Two ASWB resources cost nothing: the guidebook itself, with the Masters content outline, references, and sample items, and the FifthTheory Test Mastery Inclusion program, which your Authorization to Test email invites you to join.
Costs you can avoid
Several ASWB rules forfeit the US$230 you already paid.
- Arriving late or not showing up. Late arrivals are treated as no-shows. You forfeit the fee and must register and pay again before you can schedule.
- ID that does not match. You need two original IDs, and the first and last names on both must match your Authorization to Test. Without proper ID you cannot test and you forfeit the fee.
- Letting the Authorization to Test expire. If you do not test by its expiration date, you forfeit the fee. One extension of up to six months is allowed per registration. The guidebook lists it as something you purchase but does not print a price, so check ASWBCentral before you count on it.
- Canceling too late. Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before the appointment. For a Monday or Tuesday appointment, you must call before 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the Friday before. Changes made within these rules carry no extra fee.
- Paying out of order. The guidebook says you must apply to your board and be approved before you register with ASWB, and registration fees are nonrefundable.
- Re-registering too soon after a missed appointment. ASWB may excuse an absence if you request it within 14 days, waiting 24 hours after the missed time first. Some requests carry a fee. Do not pay for a new exam until you have the decision.
How to register puts these dates in order.
What a retake costs
ASWB's retake page says the exam fee is due again when you register for another attempt, so a second Masters attempt adds another US$230. The 90-day wait and the waiver rules are in Failed the LMSW exam?. If you think you may qualify for a waiver, do not register again until ASWB has granted or denied it.
Masters and Clinical fees side by side
The Clinical exam costs US$260, US$30 more than Masters. The extra cost reflects the exam category, not a discount, and the categories are not interchangeable. Your board decides which one you are approved for, and LMSW vs LCSW compares the two exams in full. A passing Masters score can later be sent to another board for US$40, which the passing score guide explains.
Trust the source
Official sources
Exam policies can change. Use these primary sources for the most current details.