How many hours do I need for an LCSW in Maine?

3,200 hours of social work employment with 96 hours of consultation over not less than 2 years (clinical-concentration MSW); 6,400 hours / 192 hours over ≥4 years (nonclinical MSW)

How much supervision does an LCSW in Maine require?

96 hours of consultation; ≥72 individual (192 / ≥144 individual for nonclinical MSW); 4 consultation hours for each month of actual clinical practice (LMSW-CC renewal rule)

Is there a time limit for completing the hours in Maine?

No fixed window; ≥50% of consultation and employment hours must fall within the 4 years before the LCSW application

Can I be supervised by video in Maine?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum. Consultation may be in person or live synchronous video in any combination (72 individual + 24 group hours; groups ≤8).

Maine requirements

LCSW requirements in Maine

What it takes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Maine: 3,200 supervised hours over at least 2 years (4 years for nonclinical-concentration MSW), plus supervision, time limits, exams and whether you can be supervised by video. Every figure is sourced to the state board and dated.

Sourced to Maine State Board of Social Worker LicensureChecked September 25, 2026Not individually reviewed by a clinicianAbout this site

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Maine · regulated by Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure · medium confidence

Pre-license credential	LMSW-CC (Licensed Master Social Worker - Conditional Clinical)
Supervised experience	3,200 hours of social work employment with 96 hours of consultation over not less than 2 years (clinical-concentration MSW); 6,400 hours / 192 hours over ≥4 years (nonclinical MSW)
Supervision	96 hours of consultation; ≥72 individual (192 / ≥144 individual for nonclinical MSW)
Minimum time	2 years (4 years for nonclinical-concentration MSW)
Time limit	No fixed window; ≥50% of consultation and employment hours must fall within the 4 years before the LCSW application
Exams	ASWB Clinical examination

Supervision

How much: 96 hours of consultation; ≥72 individual (192 / ≥144 individual for nonclinical MSW)
How often: 4 consultation hours for each month of actual clinical practice (LMSW-CC renewal rule)
Group supervision: Up to 24 hours (48 for nonclinical MSW) in groups of no more than 8
Who may supervise: Consultant: LCSW, CSW-IP, LCPC, LMFT, licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, or similarly credentialed licensee from any state

When hours count and what to keep

Before your degree: Board may waive up to 1 year for equivalent clinical experience before the MSW
Paperwork: Documentation of intent (consultation arrangement) signed by consultant; consultation hours reported at renewal; documentation of clinical supervision; notify board within 10 days of consultant change

Can you be supervised remotely in Maine?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.

Video supervision: Consultation may be in person or live synchronous video in any combination (72 individual + 24 group hours; groups ≤8).
Phone only: not allowed
Supervisor licensed in Maine? not required: consultant may be an LCSW, CSW-IP, LCPC, LMFT, psychologist, psychiatrist or similarly credentialed licensee 'from any state or country'
Supervisor credential: none (no supervisor training or registration found)
Supervisee cap: group consultation ≤8 members; no per-consultant cap found
Board approval first: Documentation of intent signed by the consultant at LMSW-CC issuance; notify the board within 10 days of a consultant change. P.L. 2025, c. 584 lets applicants qualify without holding the LMSW-CC, so prior filing may not be required for all routes.

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

P.L. 2025, c. 584 (LD 2074, emergency, approved 3-23-2026; entry previously cited it as 'P.L. 2026'): LMSW-CC license no longer required to qualify for LCSW; board must credit substantially equivalent experience. Ch. 13 (2022, Jul 2025 copy) not yet amended; board's 2026-2027 regulatory agenda says ch. 13 may be revised within one year. No 02-416 proposal in any 2026 SOS weekly notice through Sept 23, 2026.

Where the rules are unclear

Maine’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:

Ch. 13 §5(1)(B),(D) still require an active LMSW-CC and experience 'while licensed as' LMSW-CC; P.L. 2025, c. 584 §6 says the LMSW-CC is not required. Until ch. 13 is amended, how is experience gained without the LMSW-CC (e.g., by an LMSW or out of state) documented and credited?
Does a group or remote practice that employs the LMSW on W-2 count as an 'organized private agency' rather than 'private practice' for §5(1)(D) credit?

In the board’s own words

“96 hours of consultation concurrent with 3,200 hours of social work employment occurring within a period of not less than 2 years” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)(2)✓ checked by hand

“4 consultation hours ... for each month of actual clinical practice or part thereof” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §4(2)(B)✓ checked by hand

“No less than 50% of the hours of consultation and social work employment ... must have been completed within the 4 years immediately preceding application” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)✓ checked by hand

“an applicant is not required to be licensed as a licensed master social worker - conditional clinical under this chapter in order to qualify” — P.L. 2025, c. 584, §6✓ matched in the source

“An active master social worker - conditional (clinical) license issued by the board;” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(B)✓ checked by hand

“Rules may be proposed to implement LD 2074 (PL 2025, c. 584).” — 02-416 2026-2027 Regulatory Agenda✓ checked by hand

“Consultation may be completed in-person, or via live, synchronous video technology, or any combination thereof. Audio-only technology is not permitted.” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)(2)✓ checked by hand

“Audio-only technology is not permitted.” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)(2)✓ checked by hand

“or similarly-credentialed licensee in any of the aforementioned professions from any state or country who served as consultant” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)✓ checked by hand

“the remaining 24 hours may be completed in a group of not more than eight (8) members” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)(2)✓ checked by hand

“Credit will not be given for private or self-employed practice.” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)✓ checked by hand

“"social work employment" consists entirely of work that is compensated financially.” — 02-416 C.M.R. ch. 13 §5(1)(D)✓ checked by hand

2 more quotes are in the state explorer.

Other licenses in Maine

Sources

Checked against Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.

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General information, not legal advice. Requirements are summarized from each state’s licensing board, statutes and regulations on the date shown; the board decides, and rules change. Becoming Licensed is not affiliated with any licensing board.