Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Oregon · regulated by Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | minimum of 3,500 practice hours of which at least 2,000 hours must involve direct contact with a client |
| Direct client contact | 2,000 hours of direct client contact |
| Supervision | 100 hours, of which ≥50 individual; ≥50 with an OAR 877-020-0012(1) or (3)(a) supervisor; ≤50 with an alternate supervisor |
| Minimum time | 24 consecutive months |
| Time limit | 60 consecutive months |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical exam |
Supervision
- How much: 100 hours, of which ≥50 individual; ≥50 with an OAR 877-020-0012(1) or (3)(a) supervisor; ≤50 with an alternate supervisor
- How often: ≥1 hour at least twice a month; after 100 hours, at least once a month
- Group supervision: Group = supervisor plus up to 4 other mental health professionals; at least 50 of the 100 hours must be individual
- Who may supervise: Board-approved Oregon LCSW, 2 years licensed practice, 15 hrs supervision CE (6 hrs every 5 yrs), passed BLSW rules exam within 5 yrs; some psychologists/psychiatrists/LMFTs/LPCs allowed
When hours count and what to keep
- Paperwork: Plan of practice and supervision approved by board; each supervisor evaluation submitted on board form
Can you be supervised remotely in Oregon?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Required supervision may be in person in a professional setting or by electronic video-conferencing media or telephone (OAR 877-020-0010(3)(e)). When supervision is electronic, clients whose records are discussed must give written consent to electronic transmission, the call must be private, and transmission must be secure/encrypted (OAR 877-020-0012(9)).
- Phone only: allowed (telephone expressly permitted)
- Supervisor licensed in Oregon? other: plan supervisor must be an Oregon LCSW approved by the board, but on the associate's request the board may authorise an LCSW licensed in another state (good standing, substantially equivalent qualifications) or an Oregon-licensed clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, LMFT or LPC
- Supervisor credential: Board-approved plan supervisor: 2 years licensed practice, 15 hrs supervision CE before starting (6 hrs every 5 yrs), and passed the BLSW Oregon rules and statutes exam within 5 years; non-LCSW supervisors limited to ≤50 of the 100 supervision hours
- Supervisee cap: No per-supervisor cap found; group supervision = supervisor plus up to four other mental health professionals
- Board approval first: CSWA certificate issued only with a board-approved plan of practice and supervision; each change of agency or supervisor needs a new plan approved before hours count (board FAQ: approval date is the start date).
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
OAR 877-020-0010 amended by BLSW 6-2026, eff 09/23/2026 (adds or revises temporary supervision reductions of up to 100 days in 12 months; not compared with the prior text)
Where the rules are unclear
Oregon’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- OAR 877-020-0010(3)(d) refers to supervisors "defined in OAR 877-020-0012(2)(b)" (a CE requirement, not a supervisor category) — does the 50-hour cap apply to the 0012(3)(b) non-LCSW supervisors?
- BLSW Supervisor page lists only Oregon licenses (Active/Semi-Retired); OAR 877-020-0012(3)(a) allows board authorisation of an out-of-state LCSW. Is out-of-state LCSW supervision still approved in practice?
In the board’s own words
“a minimum of 3,500 practice hours of which at least 2,000 hours must involve direct contact with a client” — OAR 877-020-0009(4)(b)✓ matched in the source
“for a total of 100 hours over a period of not less than 24 consecutive months nor more than 60 consecutive months” — OAR 877-020-0010(3)(b)(A)✓ matched in the source
“meet with the plan supervisor for a minimum of one hour not fewer than two times a month” — OAR 877-020-0009(4)(d)✓ matched in the source
“not less than 24 consecutive months nor more than 60 consecutive months” — OAR 877-020-0010(3)(b)(A)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision required in this rule must be accomplished: (A) In person, in a professional setting; or (B) By electronic video-conferencing media or telephone.” — OAR 877-020-0010(3)(e)✓ matched in the source
“Ensure that clients whose records may be discussed as a part of the supervision provide written consent to having confidential records and information transmitted electronically;” — OAR 877-020-0012(9)(a)✓ matched in the source
“By electronic video-conferencing media or telephone.” — OAR 877-020-0010(3)(e)(B)✓ matched in the source
“plan supervisor must be an Oregon licensed clinical social worker, approved by the board” — OAR 877-020-0012(1)✓ matched in the source
“a licensed clinical social worker issued in another state, whose license is in good standing” — OAR 877-020-0012(3)(a)✓ matched in the source
“Must have passed the examination on BLSW Oregon rules and statutes” — OAR 877-020-0012(2)(c)✓ matched in the source
“meet with the supervisor and as many as four other mental health professionals (group supervision)” — OAR 877-020-0009(4)(d)✓ matched in the source
“Any hours collected through an independent practice may NOT be counted towards your LCSW.” — BLSW CSWA FAQ✓ matched in the source
2 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Oregon
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Oregon licenses · every state
Sources
- OAR ch. 877 div. 20, §§ 877-020-0008(4)(b), -0009(4), -0010(3)-(7), -0012(1)-(3)
- BLSW, Become an Oregon-Approved Supervisor
- BLSW, CSWA Information page and CSWA FAQ
- BLSW FAQs (plan changes; independent practice; leaving an agency)
- ORS 675.661 (2025 ed.)
Checked against Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.