Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · New York · regulated by NYSED Office of the Professions / State Board for Social Work · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | at least 2,000 client contact hours over a continuous period of not less than 36 months and not more than 72 months |
| Direct client contact | 2,000 client contact hours in diagnosis, psychotherapy and assessment-based treatment planning |
| Supervision | at least 100 hours of face-to-face individual or group clinical supervision |
| Minimum time | 36 months |
| Time limit | 72 months (six years) |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical examination |
Supervision
- How much: at least 100 hours of face-to-face individual or group clinical supervision
- How often: distributed appropriately over the period of the supervised experience (no weekly rule)
- Group supervision: individual or group both accepted; no group cap stated
- Who may supervise: NY LCSW; psychologist qualified in psychotherapy; or psychiatrist (ABPN diplomate)
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted; must be after receipt of the MSW
- Paperwork: Form 6 (Plan for Supervised Experience); Form 4B (Verification of Supervised Experience)
Can you be supervised remotely in New York?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: ≥100 hours of face-to-face individual or group clinical supervision over the LCSW experience; face-to-face may use technology acceptable to the Department incl. secure video (8 NYCRR 74.6(c)(1)(v), eff. 2024-09-25).
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in New York? required for NY experience (NY LCSW, or psychologist/psychiatrist qualified in psychotherapy); for supervision in another jurisdiction, equivalent qualifications reviewed by the Department (Form 4Q)
- Supervisor credential: none beyond the license
- Board approval first: optional: Form 6 Plan for Supervised Experience may be submitted to the State Board for approval before starting (not mandatory; absent a plan the experience is individually evaluated).
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
8 NYCRR 74.6 amended effective 2024-09-25 to allow secure video supervision; §74.5 (LCSW 'R' psychotherapy privilege) repealed after Ch. 818 L.2022 (effective 2023-01-01).
Where the rules are unclear
New York’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- OP LCSW page still says '100 hours of in-person' supervision; 8 NYCRR 74.6(c)(1)(v) as amended 2024-09-25 allows secure video.
In the board’s own words
“at least 2,000 client contact hours over a continuous period of not less than 36 months and not more than 72 months” — NYSED OP Social Work FAQs✓ matched in the source
“at least one hundred hours of [in-person] face-to-face individual or group clinical supervision, distributed appropriately over the period” — 8 NYCRR §74.6(c)(1)(v) as amended (BR (CA) 16)✓ matched in the source
“must be after receipt of the Master Social Work (MSW) degree” — NYSED OP Social Work FAQs✓ matched in the source
“Face-to-face supervision may utilize technology acceptable to the Department, including secure video conferencing to protect confidentiality.” — Board of Regents item BR(CA)16, Sept 2024 (amending 8 NYCRR 74.6, 79-9.3, 79-10.3), Attachment A pp.4-6✓ matched in the source
“LCSW licensed in New York State or, for supervision completed in another jurisdiction, the equivalent qualifications as determined by the Department” — NYSED OP LCSW License Requirements (Experience, Supervision, Supervisor Responsibility, Supervision Plan)✓ matched in the source
“The supervisor must be employed by the employer, not the LMSW.” — NYSED OP LCSW License Requirements (Experience, Supervision, Supervisor Responsibility, Supervision Plan)✓ matched in the source
“Any arrangements for third-party supervision must include a written agreement between the employer, third-party supervisor and the LMSW” — NYSED OP LCSW License Requirements (Experience, Supervision, Supervisor Responsibility, Supervision Plan)✓ matched in the source
“The applicant may submit a Plan for Supervised Experience ( Form 6 ) to the State Board for approval prior to starting the supervised experience” — NYSED OP LCSW License Requirements (Experience, Supervision, Supervisor Responsibility, Supervision Plan)✓ matched in the source
“this is not possible when the supervisor is employed by you or acts as a paid contractor to supervise the person” — NYSED OP Social Work FAQ (Q11 private supervision)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in New York
- LMHC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All New York licenses · every state
Sources
- NYSED OP, LCSW License Requirements
- NYSED OP, Appendix A: Requirements for Supervised Experience (LCSW)
- NYSED OP, Social Work FAQs
- Board of Regents Sept 2024 item BR (CA) 16, amending 8 NYCRR 74.6(c)(1)(v) (p. 4)
Checked against NYSED Office of the Professions / State Board for Social Work’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.