LLMSW vs LMSW, Category by Category
The LLMSW is a limited license that exists only to accrue supervised work experience. The LMSW is the full license, held indefinitely with periodic renewal once that experience, an exam and an application are complete. Here is what changes between the two.
| Category | LLMSW (limited) | LMSW (full) |
|---|---|---|
| What it permits | Practices only while the license is held, under a Michigan-licensed LMSW, in a board-approved setting (R 338.2949(2), (3)(a); R 338.2947(3)) | Engages in the practice of social work at the master's level (MCL 333.18501(1)(c)); the clinical designation adds assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions (MCL 333.18501(1)(g)(iii)) |
| Term | 1 year | 3 years |
| Renewal limit | No more than 6 times; relicensure counts the same as renewal (R 338.2947(4); MCL 333.18509(2)) | Renews every 3 years with no stated cap on the number of renewals |
| CE per renewal | 1 hour of implicit bias training per license year (R 338.7004) | 45 contact hours per 3-year cycle: 5 ethics, 2 pain and symptom management, 2 human trafficking, at least half live or synchronous (R 338.2961; R 338.2963(1)) |
| Fees (LARA guide, rev. 1/26/2026) | Application plus 1-year license $44.00; renewal $27.50; relicensure $64.00 | Not published in any archived LARA guide |
| Exam | None | ASWB Clinical examination for the clinical designation, or ASWB Advanced Generalist for the macro designation (R 338.2925; R 338.2951(a); R 338.2953(a)) |
| Who signs off | The designated LMSW supervisor certifies the hours on the Supervisor's Verification of Social Work Experience for Master's Social Worker License (LARA/BPL-SOCIALWORKMASTERSVERIF, Rev. 10/24) | |
For the mechanics behind the LLMSW side of that table, including the weekly window and the annual cap, see Michigan LLMSW supervision requirements. For the full LMSW picture, including the education and application file, see Michigan LMSW requirements.
Clinical and Macro: The Two LMSW Designations
The LMSW itself is not one credential but a license that carries a designation, decided by which activities and which exam the applicant completed. The clinical designation covers the clinical practice experience listed in R 338.2953(b)(iii): assessment, treatment and psychotherapy, case management for complex and high-risk cases, clinical supervision, and related activities. The macro designation covers macro-level social work practice under the parallel rule, R 338.2951(b)(iii). Only the clinical designation is earned through clinical practice, psychotherapy included.
Each designation requires its own exam: ASWB Clinical for the clinical designation, ASWB Advanced Generalist for the macro designation (R 338.2925; R 338.2951(a); R 338.2953(a)). The supervisor for those hours has to hold the same designation being supervised, clinical for clinical hours and macro for macro hours (R 338.2949(2); R 338.2953(b)(ii)).
Some clinicians shorten the clinical designation to "LMSW-C" in conversation. That is a community habit, not a title LARA issues; the rules and forms say "clinical practice designation" or "clinical designation."
An LMSW can hold both designations. Adding the second one requires an additional 2,000 hours of post-degree social work experience, accrued over not less than 1 year, in the second specialty area, with at least 50 hours of supervisory review, plus the second designation's own exam (R 338.2949(4)).
From Degree to LMSW, in Order
The path from a social work degree to a full LMSW runs through several fixed steps. First, a master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited program or a board-approved equivalent (R 338.2923; R 338.2947(1)(b)). Second, the LLMSW license itself; supervised work experience may only be earned while it is held, and only after the program has verified that graduation requirements are complete (R 338.2949(3)(a); R 338.2953(b)(i)).
Third, 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience, accrued over not less than 2 years, at an average of at least 16 but not more than 40 hours per week, and no more than 2,080 hours in any 12-month period (R 338.2949(1)(b), (3)(d), (3)(e)).
The 2-year floor holds regardless of pace. The 2,080-hour annual cap (R 338.2949(3)(d)) means 4,000 hours cannot finish in under about 23 months, which is arithmetic, not a stated rule. The rule itself sets the floor directly: not less than 2 years (R 338.2949(1)(b)).
Fourth, once the 4,000 hours are complete, the supervisor's verification form or forms are emailed to LARA's document inbox with "SW Exam Eligibility" in the subject line. Fifth, the applicant sits the ASWB exam that matches the designation being sought. Sixth, LARA issues the LMSW.
Michigan issues no LCSW. The clinical LMSW designation described above is the state's clinical social work license, the closest equivalent to what other states call an LCSW. See LMSW vs LCSW in Michigan for how the two systems compare.
Common Mistakes
Treating "LMSW-C" as an official LARA title
It is a community shorthand for the clinical designation. LARA's own rules and forms use "clinical practice designation" or "clinical designation."
Assuming the second designation is a formality
Adding macro to clinical, or clinical to macro, requires another 2,000 hours over at least 1 year, 50 supervisory review hours, and a second exam (R 338.2949(4)).
Looking for a published LMSW application fee
Only the LLMSW fees are published in an archived LARA guide. The full LMSW application and renewal fees are not in the LARA guide archived for this page; check MiPLUS for the current amount.
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Related Michigan Social Work Guides
What an LLMSW Is in Michigan
What the limited license permits and how supervised work experience begins.
Michigan LMSW Requirements
The full 4,000-hour path, the education file, and the application.
Michigan LLMSW Supervision Requirements
The weekly window, the annual cap, and the monthly supervisory review rate.
LMSW vs LCSW in Michigan
Why Michigan has no LCSW and what the LMSW clinical designation covers instead.
How to Become a Therapist in Michigan
All three Michigan licensure tracks, side by side.
FAQ: LLMSW vs LMSW in Michigan
What is the difference between an LLMSW and an LMSW in Michigan?▾
An LLMSW holds Michigan's limited master's social worker license (R 338.2947) and can only practice while accruing supervised work experience under a Michigan-licensed LMSW (R 338.2949(2), (3)(a)), in a board-approved setting (R 338.2947(3)). An LMSW is licensed to engage in the practice of social work at the master's level (MCL 333.18501(1)(c)); with the clinical designation, that includes assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions, and psychotherapy (MCL 333.18501(1)(g)(iii)). The LLMSW is a step toward the LMSW, not a separate career track.
How long does an LLMSW license last, and how many times can it be renewed?▾
An LLMSW is valid for 1 year. It may be renewed no more than 6 times, and relicensure counts the same as renewal (R 338.2947(4)). The statute states the same limit as the license being renewable for not more than 6 years (MCL 333.18509(2)). There is no provision in the statute allowing an extension of the 6 renewals.
How many continuing education hours does an LMSW need to renew?▾
An LMSW needs 45 continuing education contact hours for each 3-year renewal, including 5 hours of ethics, 2 hours of pain and symptom management, and 2 hours of human trafficking, with at least half completed live or synchronous (R 338.2961; R 338.2963(1)). An LLMSW has no equivalent CE requirement; the limited license instead requires 1 hour of implicit bias training per license year (R 338.7004).
What does 'LMSW-C' mean in Michigan?▾
'LMSW-C' is a community shorthand some clinicians use for the LMSW's clinical practice designation (R 338.2953). LARA itself does not use that abbreviation; its rules and forms refer to the 'clinical practice designation' or 'clinical designation.' The clinical designation is the one that covers assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions (MCL 333.18501(1)(g)(iii)).
Can one LMSW hold both the clinical and macro designations?▾
Yes. An LMSW who already holds one designation can add the other by completing an additional 2,000 hours of post-degree social work experience, accrued over not less than 1 year, in the second specialty area, with at least 50 hours of supervisory review, plus the exam for that second designation (R 338.2949(4)).
Does Michigan have an LCSW license?▾
No. Michigan issues no LCSW. Its clinical social work license is the LMSW with the clinical designation (R 338.2953), which is earned through clinical practice: assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions, including psychotherapy (MCL 333.18501(1)(g)(iii); R 338.2953(b)(iii)). Clinicians comparing Michigan to states that issue an LCSW should see the LMSW vs LCSW in Michigan comparison.
More on Michigan licensure
For the counseling track, see what an LLPC is in Michigan. For marriage and family therapy, see Michigan LLMFT hours requirements. For the full path into practice across all three tracks, see how to become a therapist in Michigan.
Requirements verified against Social Work General Rules R 338.2921 to R 338.2965 (effective April 25, 2022), the Public Health Code, Part 185 (MCL 333.18501 to 333.18518), and the LARA Limited Master's Social Work Licensing Guide (revised 1/26/2026). Statutes and regulations can change. Confirm current requirements at the Michigan Board of Social Work before making decisions about your licensure path. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.