Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · North Carolina · regulated by North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (NCSWCLB) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LCSWA (Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 3,000 clock hours of work or employment for a fee or salary in clinical social work |
| Supervision | minimum of 100 hours of supervision |
| Minimum time | 2 years |
| Time limit | 6 consecutive years; hours under an associate license expire 6 years from first issuance |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical examination |
Supervision
- How much: minimum of 100 hours of supervision
- How often: no less than once every two weeks; at least one hour per 30 hours of experience
- Group supervision: maximum of 25 hours of group supervision
- Who may supervise: MSW + LCSW in good standing, with 2 years clinical experience post-LCSW
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted: post-MSW only; practicum/internship excluded
- Paperwork: Employment Verification for LCSWA; emergency crisis plan; Position Statement on Clinical Supervision; six-month review reports
Can you be supervised remotely in North Carolina?
Only partly. Some supervision or presence must be in person or on site. What shapes this: in-person minimum, video limited.
- Video supervision: Of the 100 required supervision hours, no more than 50 may be via technology unless the Board pre-approves more (supervisor's written request, case by case); technology supervision must be synchronous with audio and visual interaction for the entire session (21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(4)).
- Phone only: not allowed (visual and audio interaction required throughout)
- In-person minimum: ≥50 of 100 supervision hours in person unless the Board pre-approves more technology hours
- Supervisor licensed in North Carolina? required: MSW who is an LCSW in good standing with the NC Board, plus 2 years post-LCSW clinical experience
- Supervisor credential: none beyond NC LCSW (+2 yrs post-licensure); supervisor signs Board position statement on clinical supervision
- Board approval first: Before practising clinical social work the LCSWA must file an emergency crisis plan (per location, with a consultant reachable within one hour) and an Employment Verification form; 6-month supervision reports. More than 50 technology hours need Board pre-approval.
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.
In the board’s own words
“3,000 clock hours of work or employment for a fee or salary while engaged in the practice of clinical social work” — 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(1)✓ matched in the source
“accumulated over a period of time not less than two years nor more than six consecutive years” — 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(1)✓ matched in the source
“no less than once every two weeks, with at least one hour of supervision during every 30 hours of experience” — 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(3)✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of 100 hours of supervision is required.” — 21 NCAC 63 .0211(a)(3)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision and experience hours acquired under an associate license shall expire six years from the date of initial associate license issuance.” — N.C. Gen. Stat. §90B-7(f)✓ matched in the source
“Unless otherwise preapproved by the Board, no more than 50 hours of supervision may be provided through the use of technology.” — 21 NCAC 63 .0210 (LCSWA) and .0211 (work experience), amended eff. 2026-09-01✓ matched in the source
“shall be synchronous, involve visual and audio interactions throughout the entire session” — 21 NCAC 63 .0210 (LCSWA) and .0211 (work experience), amended eff. 2026-09-01✓ matched in the source
“Appropriate supervision shall mean supervision by a MSW who is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and who is in good standing with the Board.” — 21 NCAC 63 .0210 (LCSWA) and .0211 (work experience), amended eff. 2026-09-01✓ matched in the source
“the name of the associate's LCSW clinical supervisor and whether the supervisor is located on-site or off-site” — 21 NCAC 63 .0210 (LCSWA) and .0211 (work experience), amended eff. 2026-09-01✓ matched in the source
“3,000 clock hours of work or employment for a fee or salary while engaged in the practice of clinical social work” — 21 NCAC 63 .0210 (LCSWA) and .0211 (work experience), amended eff. 2026-09-01✓ matched in the source
“Prior to practicing clinical social work, associates shall provide to the Board an Employment Verification for LCSWA form” — 21 NCAC 63 .0210 (LCSWA) and .0211 (work experience), amended eff. 2026-09-01✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in North Carolina
- LCMHC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All North Carolina licenses · every state
Sources
Checked against North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (NCSWCLB)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.