Licensed Independent Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Iowa · regulated by Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing) · medium confidence
| Pre-license credential | LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | Rule: at least 3,000 hours over a minimum of two years; statute: two years full-time or 4,000 hours of supervised practice |
| Direct client contact | At least 1,500 hours of direct client contact |
| Supervision | At least 110 hours of direct supervision; max 50 group |
| Minimum time | minimum of two years |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical |
Supervision
- How much: At least 110 hours of direct supervision; max 50 group
- How often: Equitably distributed throughout the experience; ongoing supervision continues after 110 hours until the experience ends
- Group supervision: Maximum of 50 of the 110 hours via group supervision
- Who may supervise: Rule: Iowa LISW, LMHC or LMFT with ≥3 yrs independent practice + 6-h supervision CE; statute also allows other qualified professionals if board finds a social worker unobtainable
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted — cannot begin until all graduate coursework (except thesis) is complete
- Paperwork: Supervision Plan (before starting, one per supervisor) and Supervision Report (at completion or when a supervisor stops), both rev. 10/2025
Can you be supervised remotely in Iowa?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: At least 110 hours of direct supervision (max 50 group), in person or by videoconferencing; statute forbids the board from requiring in-person supervision or live/recorded observation.
- In-person minimum: none (statute bars the board from requiring in-person supervision)
- Supervisor licensed in Iowa? required: active Iowa LISW, LMHC or LMFT (any of the three may supervise any of the three professions)
- Supervisor credential: No supervisor registration; Iowa license + 3 years independent practice + 6-hour supervision CE or graduate supervision course; any other supervisor needs board approval before supervision begins
- Supervisee cap: No numeric cap: supervisor sets a safe number; a supervisee may use at most 4 supervisors at once
- Board approval first: Written supervision plan submitted to the board before supervision begins and before each new supervisor (filing, not approval; board approval only for non-standard supervisors)
- If you live outside Iowa: No rule on associates outside Iowa; experience earned in another state without licensure there must be cleared with the board
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
Rules consolidated into new 481 IAC ch. 880 by ARC 9401C (eff. 8/13/25), replacing 645 ch. 31/280 (moved to 481 ch. 891/895 in 9/2024). ARC 0556D (eff. 10/7/26) adds compact/background-check provisions; no change to supervised experience. Iowa implements the Social Work Licensure Compact (880.19).
Where the rules are unclear
Iowa’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Iowa Code 2026 §154C.3(1)(c)(4) requires supervised practice 'for at least two years as a full-time employee or for four thousand hours'; 481 IAC 880.7(1)(b)-(c) requires at least 3,000 hours over a minimum of two years — which governs LISW applicants? The board's social work licensure page and its Supervision Plan/Report forms (rev. 10/2025) state no hour total, so the board's own current paperwork does not show which figure it applies.
In the board’s own words
“The supervised clinical experience must consist of at least 3,000 hours of total practice.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)(c)✓ matched in the source
“at least 110 hours of direct supervision equitably distributed throughout the supervised clinical experience. A maximum of 50 hours of direct supervision may be obtained through group supervision.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)(e)✓ matched in the source
“The supervised clinical experience must be for a minimum of two years.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)(b)✓ matched in the source
“engaged in the practice of social work, under supervision, for at least two years as a full-time employee or for four thousand hours” — Iowa Code §154C.3(1)(c)(4)✓ matched in the source
“LBSW = Bachelor Exam LMSW = Masters Exam LISW = Clinical Exam” — DIAL Social Work Licensure page✓ matched in the source
“Direct supervision can occur in person or by using videoconferencing.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)-(5) (supervised clinical experience: MHC, MFT, LISW), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 9-10✓ matched in the source
“The board shall not, by rule or other means, require that supervision be completed in person” — Iowa Code 2026 section 154C.6(4) (social work: supervision)✓ matched in the source
“Hold an active license as an independent level social worker, mental health counselor, or marital and family therapist in Iowa.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)-(5) (supervised clinical experience: MHC, MFT, LISW), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 9-10✓ matched in the source
“Have completed at least a six-hour continuing education course in supervision” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)-(5) (supervised clinical experience: MHC, MFT, LISW), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 9-10✓ matched in the source
“Any request for a supervisor who does not meet these requirements must be approved by the board before supervision begins.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)-(5) (supervised clinical experience: MHC, MFT, LISW), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 9-10✓ matched in the source
“A supervisor will determine the number of supervisees who can be supervised safely and competently and will not exceed that number.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)-(5) (supervised clinical experience: MHC, MFT, LISW), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 9-10✓ matched in the source
“A supervisee may utilize a maximum of four supervisors at any given time.” — 481 IAC 880.7(1)-(5) (supervised clinical experience: MHC, MFT, LISW), IAC 9/2/26, Ch 880 pp. 9-10✓ matched in the source
3 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Iowa
- LMHC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Iowa licenses · every state
Sources
- 481 IAC 880.7(1)-(6) (Supervised clinical experience), IAC 9/2/26
- Iowa Code §154C.3(1)(c) (Independent social worker requirements), Iowa Code 2026
- Iowa BBHP Supervision Plan form (rev. 10/2025)
- Iowa BBHP Supervision Report form (rev. 10/2025)
- DIAL Mental & Behavioral Health licensing page
- DIAL: Social Work Licensure page (Iowa Board of Social Work)
- ARC 0556D (Adopted rulemaking, Behavioral Health Professionals Board, IAB 9/2/26, eff. 10/7/26): Counseling Compact and Social Work Licensure Compact
Checked against Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.