The state licenses two types of social workers:  advanced social workers and independent clinical social workers.  To become licensed as either type of social worker, an applicant must have:  (1) graduated from an approved master's or doctorate level social work educational program; (2) passed an approved examination; and (3) completed a supervised experience requirement.

Advanced Social Workers.
The supervised experience requirement for a licensed advanced social worker consists of a minimum of 3,200 hours with supervision by an approved supervisor.  Of those supervised hours:

• at least 90 hours must include direct supervision by a licensed social worker or other equally qualified mental health professional.  Of those directly supervised hours:
  • at least 50 hours must include supervision by a licensed social worker; the other 40 hours may be supervised by an equally qualified mental health practitioner; and
  • At least 40 hours must be one-to-one supervision; fifty hours may be in one-to-one or group supervision.
• Eight hundred hours must be in direct client contact.

Independent Clinical Social Workers.
The supervised experience requirement for a licensed independent clinical social worker consists of a minimum of 4,000 hours of experience over a period of at least three years, with supervision by an approved supervisor.  Of those supervised hours:

• at least 1,000 hours must be in direct client contact; and
• hours of direct supervision must include:
  • at least 130 hours by a licensed mental health practitioner;
  • at least 70 hours of supervision with a licensed independent clinical social worker; the other 60 hours may be supervised by an equally qualified mental health practitioner; and
  • at least 60 hours must be in one-to-one supervision; 70 hours may be in one-to-one or group supervision.

The supervised experience requirements for licensed advanced social workers and licensed independent clinical social workers are changed as follows:

Advanced Social Workers.

The supervised experience requirement is changed from a minimum of 3,200 hours to a minimum of 3,000 hours.  The requirement that, of the 90 hours of direct supervision, at least 50 must include supervision by a licensed social worker and the other 40 may be supervised by an equally qualified mental health practitioner is removed.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
The supervised experience requirement is changed from a minimum of 4,000 hours over a period of at least three years to 3,000 hours over a period of at least two years.  The hours of direct supervision are reduced from 130 hours to 100 hours.