Social Worker Program

The Social Worker Program within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs licenses and regulates social workers in Hawaii, setting minimum standards for education, supervised experience, and professional conduct. The program processes license applications, investigates complaints against licensed social workers, and takes disciplinary action when violations occur. It ensures that professionals providing social work services in Hawaii meet established competency standards to protect vulnerable clients.

Social workers serve some of Hawaii's most vulnerable residents — children in foster care, adults with disabilities, individuals in mental health crises — and licensing ensures those workers meet professional standards. Clients and families who have concerns about a social worker's conduct can file complaints through this program.