The Department of Health licenses two types of social workers:  independent clinical social workers and advanced social workers.  To become licensed as either type of social worker, an applicant must:  (1) graduate from an approved master's or doctorate level social work educational program; (2) pass an approved examination; and (3) complete a supervised experience requirement.
 
The supervised experience requirement for independent clinical social workers consists of 4,000 hours of experience completed under an approved supervisor.  At least 1,000 of those hours must have direct client contact and no more than 60 supervised hours may be completed through distance supervision.
 
The supervised experience requirement for advanced social workers consists of 3,200 hours of experience completed under an approved supervisor.  At least 800 of those hours must have direct client contact and no more than 40 hours may be completed through distance supervision.

The limitations on the number of supervised experience hours that a person pursuing a license as an independent clinical social worker or advanced social worker may complete through distance supervision are removed.