How much supervision does an LCSW in Montana require?

at least 100 hours individual or group; ≥50 individual face-to-face by an LCSW, ≥10 of those with direct observation of service delivery; at least two hours of supervision for every 160 hours of social work

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

supervised work experience must be obtained in the 5 years before application; candidate registers annually, up to 5 times unless approved

Can I be supervised by video in Montana?

Mostly, with some limits. LCSW: ≥100 hours individual or group supervision, ≥50 individual and "supervised face-to-face" by an LCSW, ≥10 of the 50 with direct observation of service delivery (may be via interactive video link or recording); 2 hours per 160 hours of social work

Montana requirements

LCSW requirements in Montana

What it takes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Montana: 3,000 supervised hours over at least 24 months (candidates licensed after Aug 22, 2026), 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 Montana Board of Behavioral Health (Department of Labor and Industry)Checked September 25, 2026Not individually reviewed by a clinicianAbout this site

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Montana · regulated by Montana Board of Behavioral Health (Department of Labor and Industry) · high confidence

Pre-license credential	LCSW Candidate (SWLC)
Supervised experience	a minimum of 3000 total hours of post-degree supervised work experience over a period of no less than 24 months (candidates licensed after Aug 22, 2026)
Direct client contact	at least 1,500 of the 3,000 hours in direct client contact (candidates licensed after Aug 22, 2026; none required for earlier candidates)
Supervision	at least 100 hours individual or group; ≥50 individual face-to-face by an LCSW, ≥10 of those with direct observation of service delivery
Minimum time	24 months (candidates licensed after Aug 22, 2026)
Time limit	supervised work experience must be obtained in the 5 years before application; candidate registers annually, up to 5 times unless approved
Exams	ASWB Clinical examination

Supervision

How much: at least 100 hours individual or group; ≥50 individual face-to-face by an LCSW, ≥10 of those with direct observation of service delivery
How often: at least two hours of supervision for every 160 hours of social work
Group supervision: up to 50 of the 100 hours may be group (at least 50 must be individual)
Who may supervise: LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, licensed psychologist, or licensed board-certified psychiatrist (≥50 individual hours must be with an LCSW). New supervisors (from 8/22/2026): active license, licensed ≥3 yrs excluding candidacy, AND 1 semester credit or 20 hrs board-approved supervision training (post-degree, post-candidacy); earlier supervisors grandfathered

When hours count and what to keep

Before your degree: not counted (post-degree only)
Paperwork: Training and supervision plan; Supervision Attestation form; supervised experience attestation signed by candidate and each supervisor

Can you be supervised remotely in Montana?

Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval.

Video supervision: LCSW: ≥100 hours individual or group supervision, ≥50 individual and "supervised face-to-face" by an LCSW, ≥10 of the 50 with direct observation of service delivery (may be via interactive video link or recording); 2 hours per 160 hours of social work
Phone only: not allowed (face-to-face electronic supervision must provide both audio and visual interaction)
Supervisor licensed in Montana? other: ≥50 individual hours from an LCSW; new supervisors need an active license "in the jurisdiction in which the supervision is occurring"; Montana license for a remote supervisor not stated
Supervisor credential: No supervisor registration/license; new supervisors (from 8/22/2026) need ≥3 yrs licensure excluding candidacy + 1 grad semester credit or 20 hrs board-approved supervision training (not during grad school/candidacy); pre-8/22/2026 supervisors exempt from the training
Board approval first: Candidate license required before post-degree hours count; candidate submits a training and supervision plan with at least one qualified supervisor of record; later plan updates/supervisor changes need no further approval unless non-conforming (report within 20 business days)
If you live outside Montana: Board treats practice as occurring in Montana when the client is physically in Montana, regardless of the candidate's location; candidate should check the other state's laws

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

ARM 24.219.504 amended eff. Aug 22, 2026 (MAR 2026-512): added 1,500 direct-contact hours and 24-month minimum for candidates licensed after that date; earlier candidates stay under the 2024 rule (3,000 hours, 100 supervision hours).

Where the rules are unclear

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

For video supervision across state lines, is supervision "occurring" in Montana (so the supervisor needs a Montana license) or where the supervisor sits? ARM 24.219.421(2)(a) wording is ambiguous.

In the board’s own words

“must complete a minimum of 3000 total hours of post-degree supervised work experience over a period of no less than 24 months” — ARM 24.219.504(1) — official ARM viewer, active version✓ checked by hand

“At least 1500 hours of the total 3000 hours must be in direct client contact.” — ARM 24.219.504(1)(a) — official ARM viewer, active version✓ checked by hand

“Supervisors must provide at least two hours of supervision for LCSW, LMSW, and LBSW candidates for every 160 hours of social work.” — ARM 24.219.504(5) — official ARM viewer, active version✓ checked by hand

“Supervised work experience must have been obtained in the five years prior to application for licensure.” — ARM 24.219.301(27) — official ARM viewer, active version✓ checked by hand

“LCSW: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical examination” — ARM 24.219.403(1)(a) — official ARM viewer, eff. 8/22/2026✓ checked by hand

“over a period of no less than 24 months” — ARM 24.219.504(1) — official ARM viewer, eff. 8/22/2026✓ checked by hand

“"Face-to-face" means supervision of a candidate by the supervisor which is either: (a) in-person; or (b) electronically.” — ARM 24.219.301(9),(10),(13) DEFINITIONS (active version eff. 8/22/2026)✓ checked by hand

“(iv) be simultaneous; and (v) provide for both audio and visual interaction.” — ARM 24.219.301(9),(10),(13) DEFINITIONS (active version eff. 8/22/2026)✓ matched in the source

“Does the board allow both telepractice and telesupervision? Yes.” — BBH Candidate and Peer Support Supervision FAQ (updated 9/9/26), p.1-4✓ matched in the source

“You are considered to be practicing in Montana if your client is physically located in Montana regardless of your physical location.” — BBH Candidate and Peer Support Supervision FAQ (updated 9/9/26), p.1-4✓ matched in the source

“"Direct client contact" means physical presence, telephonic presence, or interactive video link presence of the client” — ARM 24.219.301(9),(10),(13) DEFINITIONS (active version eff. 8/22/2026)✓ checked by hand

“have an active license in good standing in the jurisdiction in which the supervision is occurring” — ARM 24.219.421(2)-(4) SUPERVISOR QUALIFICATIONS (active version eff. 8/22/2026)✓ matched in the source

8 more quotes are in the state explorer.

Other licenses in Montana

Sources

Checked against Montana Board of Behavioral Health (Department of Labor and Industry)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.

Track your hours as you earn them

Practice Harbor is free while you are pre-licensed. It counts your clinical hours from the sessions you mark as attended, and you can add outside hours by hand.

Start free with Practice Harbor All requirements

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.