Social Work Supervision Requirements
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All social workers must meet social work supervision requirements to obtain state licensure and ensure that their services meet professional standards. Supervision should be mutually rewarding experience for both the supervisor and supervisee. It should be nurturing and engaging, said Jane E. Shersher, LSW. This guide covers social work supervision, how it works, why you need it, and how to learn more about requirements in your state.
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Social Work Supervision: What It Is and Why It’s Important
Social workers need to accrue a minimum number of supervised hours to qualify for the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed master social worker (LMSW) exam. In most states, the LCSW designation is the highest license level a social worker can hold. According to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), hour requirements vary by state: 3,000 hours is a widely used standard, but totals range from 1,500-6,750 hours. At 40 hours per week, it would take you 75 weeks to complete 3,000 supervised hours. Some states also have time limitations in place; check with your state to learn more about specific requirements in your area.
Every jurisdiction in the United States requires that social workers complete supervised experience after completing their degree. Social work supervision creates an avenue for licensed social workers to mentor those who are seeking licensure in the field.
Although requirements vary by state, supervisors generally need:
- A master of social work degree (MSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- A license to practice at or above the level of the license held by the supervisee
- At least three years of licensed professional experience
- Up-to-date levels of continuing education
- Direct experience in the supervised practice area
Supervision consists of receiving feedback and guidance for portions of your clinical practice that may raise questions or concerns as you work in the field. It also offers an opportunity to reflect and understand how your own biases and knowledge gaps can impact the quality and direction of your clinical work.
Who Needs Supervision?
According to the National Association of Social Workers, supervision typically occurs in one of four scenarios:
- Recently graduated and/or newly licensed social workers engage with supervision to develop their firsthand knowledge of service delivery.
- Candidates for advanced practice and/or clinical licenses undertake supervision to support their professional development.
- Established social workers seeking to build new skills or move into a new practice area can work with supervisors to develop the necessary skills.
- Social workers who have faced sanctions or disciplinary actions must typically be supervised before regaining full standing.
The nature of your work must be predominantly clinical for your social work supervision to qualify for exam or license eligibility. Your hours won’t count if you’re a teacher or an administrator.
How Is Social Work Supervision Conducted?
Supervised experience must cover your direct contact with clients. The supervisor must also have direct contact with the supervisee throughout the supervision process. Supervision typically happens once a week for an hour, so the maximum number of weekly work hours that can be counted toward a single supervision meeting is 40.
Depending on your state, you may have the option of engaging with your supervisor face-to-face or remotely. Thirty-three states require face-to-face supervised experiences. In 16 of those states, 100% of your supervision must occur in person.
Twenty-five states explicitly allow distance supervision. The percentage of supervision meetings you can complete with a distance format ranges from 25%-100%. Acceptable distance supervision methods also vary by state.
Who Arranges Social Work Supervision?
In many cases, your employer can provide supervised experiences for you — social work agencies usually have advanced practice professionals on staff who are qualified to serve as supervisors. However, there are situations in which you may need to arrange it independently.
In these situations, you can reach out to professionals who practice in the private sector. You can find and connect with these people through:
- Social work professional associations
- Local conferences and networking events
- Publicly accessible social worker directories
- The university where you completed your social work degree
If you need additional assistance finding a supervisor for social work training, contact your state’s licensing board for situation-specific guidance and local resources.
Managing Costs
You may need to cover the cost of your supervision yourself if you have to hire a supervisor independently. This can cost upwards of $100 per hour, which can very quickly add up.
To control your costs, consider forming or joining a supervision group of up to five people and splitting the costs among the group members, Shersher said.
How do I Find the Right Social Work Supervisor?
You can’t pick just anyone to lead your supervision in social work training. The professional must have relevant experience and maintain an LCSW or the local equivalent. They also need to keep track of your meeting dates, take notes, and document your supervision experience so it qualifies for the LCSW exam and other license-related administration.
Your supervisor also needs experience in the area you’re looking to enhance. So, begin by asking what specific skills you want to build and try to match with a supervisor who has those skills.
You should also consider your supervisor’s style. Some take collaborative and supportive approaches, partnering with you in problem-solving capacities. Others are directive, functioning more like a teacher or mentor. Think about what you’re hoping to gain from the experience, and let that guide your decision.
One final piece of advice: I would often ask my supervisors to send me their documentation forms every three months or so. This created a record of my progress and doubled as a form of administrative protection. You don’t want to lose all the supervision you accrued if your supervisor suddenly vanishes after 12 months. That kind of thing is rare, but it can happen and you don’t want it to affect your eligibility for opportunities to grow your career.
