Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · New Mexico · regulated by New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners (RLD) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 3,600 hours of licensed masters level social work experience accumulated over no more than 60 months |
| Supervision | 100 hours of supervision (≥70 direct; ≤50 group; ≤30 interdisciplinary) |
| Minimum time | Not less than two years of post-graduate direct/clinical social work experience |
| Time limit | No more than a 60 month period |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical or Advanced (as Board determines) plus NM jurisprudence exam; New Mexico cultures course |
Supervision
- How much: 100 hours of supervision (≥70 direct; ≤50 group; ≤30 interdisciplinary)
- How often: One hour of supervision for every 40 hours worked
- Group supervision: No more than 50 of 100 hours; groups of no more than eight
- Who may supervise: Board-approved LISW/LCSW (or approved psychiatrist, psychologist, LPCC ≤30 hrs); 6-hour Board-approved supervision course; written contract
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted (hours must be as a licensed LMSW)
- Paperwork: Board supervisor application; supervisor-supervisee contract (frequency, type, goals, evaluation schedule) kept 4 years
Can you be supervised remotely in New Mexico?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential.
- Video supervision: 'Direct supervision' (≥70 of the 100 required hours) is face-to-face between licensees and 'may include' ethics/confidentiality-compliant video-teleconferencing; 1 h supervision per 40 h worked; group ≤50 h (≤8 per group)
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor credential: Board-approved supervisor: 6-hour board-approved supervision course and an application approved before supervising; LISW/LCSW (or board-approved psychiatrist, psychologist or LPCC; interdisciplinary ≤30 h, approved in advance)
- Supervisee cap: Group supervision ≤8 per group; no overall supervisee cap found
- Board approval first: Supervisor must apply for and receive board-approved-supervisor status before commencing; written supervision contract (frequency, type, goals, evaluation schedule) kept 4 years; interdisciplinary supervision needs board approval before it starts
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 replaced/amended eff. 10/7/2025 (NM Register XXXVI-19): supervision raised from 90 to 100 hours, group cap 20→50, group size 6→8, 6-hr supervisor course. SRCA compiled NMAC still shows 2022 text.
Where the rules are unclear
New Mexico’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- What are the board's 'limits' on teleconferencing supervision (16.63.1.7), and does audio-only teleconferencing count toward the 30 non-direct hours?
In the board’s own words
“3,600 hours of licensed masters level social work experience which has been accumulated over no more than a 60 month period” — 16.63.11.8(F) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Applicants for licensure must document 100 hours of supervision during this 3,600 hour period.” — 16.63.11.8(G) NMAC (10/7/2025)✓ checked by hand
“One hour of supervision must be documented for every 40 hours worked” — 16.63.11.8(G)(1) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“complete not less than two years of post-graduate direct/ clinical social work experience, under appropriate supervision” — 16.63.11.8(C) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“face to face supervision between two licensees, which may include supervision through video-teleconferencing platforms” — 16.63.1.7(A)(7) NMAC (10/7/2025)✓ matched in the source
“Direct supervision: means face to face supervision between two licensees, which may include supervision through video-teleconferencing platforms” — 16.63.1.7 NMAC✓ matched in the source
“At least 70 of the 100 required hours must be obtained through direct supervision.” — 16.63.1.7 NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Within the limits set forth by the board, teleconferencing and group supervision will be accepted.” — 16.63.1.7 NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Complete a minimum six hour board approved supervision course for initial approval.” — 16.63.1.7 NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Submit an application to become a board approved supervisor, prior to commencing supervision of the applicant” — 16.63.1.7 NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Execute a contact with a supervisee that includes the frequency of supervision, type of supervision, education goals, and a schedule for evaluation.” — 16.63.1.7 NMAC✓ matched in the source
“rendered to no more than eight individual per group at a time.” — 16.63.1.7 NMAC✓ matched in the source
2 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in New Mexico
- LPCC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All New Mexico licenses · every state
Sources
- 16.63.11.8 NMAC as amended eff. 10/7/2025
- 16.63.1.7 NMAC (replaced eff. 10/7/2025): appropriate supervision definitions
- 16.63.10 NMAC as amended eff. 10/7/2025 (LMSW)
- 16.63.4 NMAC (examinations, eff. 10/7/2025)
- NM Register Vol. XXXVI Issue 19 adopted rules index
- NMSA 1978 §61-31-3(B) and board powers (video teleconferencing) (NMOneSource ch. 61)
Checked against New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners (RLD)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.