Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Kentucky · regulated by Kentucky Board of Social Work · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | CSW (Certified Social Worker) under a board-approved Clinical Social Work Supervision Contract |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | Minimum of two (2) years of post-master's degree experience under appropriate supervision |
| Direct client contact | At least 60% of the required experience in a direct client-professional relationship |
| Supervision | 150 hours; ≥100 individual |
| Minimum time | 2 years |
| Exams | ASWB examination for the LCSW (board accepts the Clinical category; Advanced Generalist not accepted) |
Supervision
- How much: 150 hours; ≥100 individual
- How often: Individual supervision of at least 2 hours every 2 weeks over the 2-year minimum period
- Group supervision: Up to 50 hours; groups of no more than 6 supervisees, social work supervisees only
- Who may supervise: LCSW with ≥2 years clinical practice post-licensure; 6-hour board-approved supervision training + 3-hour refresher each renewal; max 6 supervisees
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted: experience must be post-master's degree
- Paperwork: Clinical Social Work Supervision Contract (4/2021) approved before starting; supervisee 1-hour board training certificate; Supervised Experience Documentation Form
Can you be supervised remotely in Kentucky?
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: Virtual (electronic) supervision may be used for supervision hours if supervisor and supervisee can see each other via real-time interactive video; the contract must state that both agree to use electronic supervision.
- Phone only: not allowed (electronic supervision is defined as real-time interactive video with audio)
- Supervisor licensed in Kentucky? other: LCSW approved by the KY board via a Request to Provide Supervision; §9 lets an LCSW (or equivalent) licensed in another jurisdiction request approval, but the rules do not clearly say whether a non-KY LCSW may supervise a KY CSW practising in Kentucky
- Supervisor credential: Board-approved supervisor: LCSW ≥2 years post-licensure + initial 6-hour board-approved supervision course + 3-hour refresher each renewal; supervisee completes a 1-hour board training
- Supervisee cap: ≤6 CSWs under contract per supervisor of record; group supervision ≤6 supervisees
- Board approval first: Clinical Social Work Supervision Contract must be board-approved before the CSW begins clinical practice/supervision; new contract on change of supervisor or employer
- If you live outside Kentucky: KRS 335.158(4) (2026): anyone located within or outside Kentucky who provides social work via telehealth to a client in Kentucky must hold a KY license/permit or a compact member-state license, and must follow the laws of both the client's and the social worker's location
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
2026 Ky. Acts ch. 77 (HB 424) amended KRS 335.080/335.100 eff. 7-15-2026 (telehealth practice, Social Work Licensure Compact alignment); 2-year requirement unchanged.
Where the rules are unclear
Kentucky’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- May an LCSW licensed only in another jurisdiction (approved under 201 KAR 23:070 §9) supervise a Kentucky CSW whose clients are in Kentucky?
In the board’s own words
“a minimum of two (2) years of post-master's degree experience acceptable to the board” — KRS 335.100(1)(b)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision shall total a minimum of 150 hours” — 201 KAR 23:070 §8(2)(a)✓ matched in the source
“individual supervision of at least two (2) hours during every two (2) weeks of supervised clinical social work practice” — 201 KAR 23:070 §8(2)(a)✓ matched in the source
“Virtual supervision may be utilized for supervision hours, if the supervisor and supervisee can see each other, face-to-face, via electronic means.” — 201 KAR 23:070 §8(2)(b)✓ matched in the source
“interactive video technology, in real-time, with video and audio interaction for individual and group supervision” — 201 KAR 23:070 §1(3)✓ matched in the source
“submit a Request to Provide Supervision form to become a supervisor in Kentucky” — 201 KAR 23:070 §4(4)✓ matched in the source
“Completed an initial board-approved six (6) hour training course on supervisory practices and methods” — 201 KAR 23:070 §4(1)(d)1✓ matched in the source
“shall not serve as a supervisor of record for more than six (6) certified social workers” — 201 KAR 23:070 §4(3)✓ matched in the source
“be an employee of an institution or organization in which the certified social worker has no direct or indirect interest other than employment” — KRS 335.080(3)✓ matched in the source
“has Social Security and income tax deducted from his or her salary” — 201 KAR 23:070 §5(9)(b)✓ matched in the source
“Any person located within or outside of Kentucky who provides social work via telehealth to a client in Kentucky” — KRS 335.158(4) (2026 Ky. Acts ch. 77 §11)✓ matched in the source
“shall be submitted to the board for approval before the certified social worker begins supervision” — 201 KAR 23:070 §5✓ matched in the source
1 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Kentucky
- LPCC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Kentucky licenses · every state
Sources
- KRS 335.100(1)(b), (d) (eff. 7-15-2026)
- KRS 335.080(3) (eff. 7-15-2026)
- 201 KAR 23:070 §§4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13
- 201 KAR 23:020 §1 (LCSW examination fee set by ASWB)
- Kentucky Board of Social Work, Licensure page
- 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 77 (HB 424)
- KRS 335.135 Social Work Licensure Compact
Checked against Kentucky Board of Social Work’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.