Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Alabama · regulated by Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners · medium confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) under clinical supervision plan |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | not less than 3,000 work hours of post masters experience and 96 hours of supervision |
| Supervision | 96 hours of clinical supervision from a board-approved LICSW supervisor |
| Minimum time | 2 years (24 months of supervision) |
| Time limit | Rule conflict: supervision within max 3 years (850-X-3-.04(2)(g)) vs 3,000 hours within max 4 years (2)(h); board FAQ applies 36 months to supervision |
| Exams | Exam prescribed by the Board (ASWB; level not named in rules) |
Supervision
- How much: 96 hours of clinical supervision from a board-approved LICSW supervisor
- How often: Minimum 4 hours per month for 24 months within a 36-month period; recommended ≤2 hours per two weeks (rule); Form B: no more than 10 hours per calendar month
- Group supervision: Individual or individual+group allowed; group max 6 supervisees; no cap on group share stated (Form B)
- Who may supervise: Board-approved supervisor: LICSW with 2 years post-licensure experience + board-approved supervisor training; 3 CE hrs supervision per biennium
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted: postgraduate supervision after LMSW licensure
- Paperwork: Supervision plan (Form B or C) approved before supervision starts, due within 60 days of starting position; Form A (supervisor status); Certification of supervision with LICSW application; Responsibility Statement for Supervisors
Can you be supervised remotely in Alabama?
Yes by video, but the supervisor needs a state-specific supervisor credential and the board must approve the arrangement first. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential, prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Remote supervision by secure camera and microphone is accepted. The board "favors" same-place supervision for a substantial part of the time. The supervision plan must describe and justify the delivery method.
- In-person minimum: No fixed minimum. The board states a preference for same-place supervision for a "substantial part" of the time.
- Supervisor licensed in Alabama? required
- Supervisor credential: Board-approved supervisor status (Form A). Requires an active Alabama LICSW license with 2 years post-licensure, a supervisor training course, and 3 CE hours in supervision each biennium.
- Supervisee cap: Supervision groups: no more than 6 individuals. No per-supervisor total cap found.
- Board approval first: A clinical supervision plan (Form B) must be approved by the board before supervision starts (start date up to 30 days before receipt). A new plan is needed for any change of agency, job, goals or supervision method.
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
850-X-3-.04 amended effective Sept 14, 2025
Where the rules are unclear
Alabama’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- 850-X-3-.04(2)(g) says clinical supervision must be obtained within a maximum of 3 years (24 months in a 36-month period), but (2)(h) says the supervision must be obtained in ≥3,000 work hours within a maximum of 4 years post-masters. Is the LICSW deadline 3 or 4 years? (Board FAQ states all supervision within 36 months.)
- Does telephone-only supervision count toward the 96 hours?
In the board’s own words
“Upon completion of not less than 3,000 work hours and 96 hours of supervision according to the requirements of this section” — Ala. Admin. Code r. 850-X-3-.04(3)✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of four (4) hours per month of supervision is required for 24 months within a 36 month period” — Ala. Admin. Code r. 850-X-3-.04(2)(g)✓ matched in the source
“obtained in no less than 3,000 work hours of post masters experience ... within a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years” — Ala. Admin. Code r. 850-X-3-.04(2)(h)✓ matched in the source
“combination of individual and group sessions. There can be no more than six individuals in a supervision group.” — Form B, Clinical Supervision Plan✓ matched in the source
“no more than 10 hours of supervision during a calendar month.” — Form B, Clinical Supervision Plan✓ matched in the source
“at least two years of post-master or doctorate experience in the practice of social work under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker.” — Code of Ala. §34-30-22(5)c.2✓ checked by hand
“All supervision must be completed within a 36-months.” — ABSWE FAQ page✓ matched in the source
“some current and future technology, such as using reliable, technologically-secure computer cameras and microphones, can allow personal face-to-face, though remote, interaction” — Ala. Admin. Code ch. 850-X-3 (rev. 9/14/25), r. 850-X-3-.01, -.02, -.04(2)(g)-(j)✓ matched in the source
“the board favors supervision modalities in which the supervisor and supervisee are in the same geographical place for a substantial part of the supervision time” — Ala. Admin. Code ch. 850-X-3 (rev. 9/14/25), r. 850-X-3-.01, -.02, -.04(2)(g)-(j)✓ matched in the source
“The plan must be approved by the board prior to the start of supervision.” — Ala. Admin. Code ch. 850-X-3 (rev. 9/14/25), r. 850-X-3-.01, -.02, -.04(2)(g)-(j)✓ matched in the source
“a licensee must be actively licensed and in good standing by the board as an LBSW, a LMSW, a LICSW” — Ala. Admin. Code ch. 850-X-3 (rev. 9/14/25), r. 850-X-3-.01, -.02, -.04(2)(g)-(j)✓ matched in the source
“A licensee must be a current board approved supervisor in order to provide professional development supervision toward licensure” — Ala. Admin. Code ch. 850-X-3 (rev. 9/14/25), r. 850-X-3-.01, -.02, -.04(2)(g)-(j)✓ matched in the source
6 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Alabama
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Alabama licenses · every state
Sources
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 850-X-3-.04(2)(g)-(j), (3)
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 850-X-2 (LICSW definition, classes of social worker (3))
- ABSWE Application for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- ABSWE FAQ page
- Clinical Supervision Plan, Form B (2025), 'Overview of some important supervision requirements'
- Code of Ala. 1975 §34-30-22(5)c (Alabama Legislature, ALISON)
- Clinical Supervision Verification Form D
Checked against Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.