Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Rhode Island · regulated by RI Board of Social Work Examiners (RI Department of Health) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | three thousand (3,000) hours of post-master's practice of clinical social work during a 24- to 72-month period immediately preceding application |
| Direct client contact | 1,500 hours providing clinical social work services directly to clients |
| Supervision | At least 1 hour per 20 hours of direct client contact (≥75 hours for 1,500 direct hours) |
| Minimum time | 24 months (listed as 24 months of experience acceptable to the Board) |
| Time limit | 72 months immediately preceding application |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical exam |
Supervision
- How much: At least 1 hour per 20 hours of direct client contact (≥75 hours for 1,500 direct hours)
- How often: Minimum 2 hours every 2 weeks and at least 1 hour per 20 hours of direct contact
- Group supervision: ≥75% one-to-one; group supervision of no more than 10
- Who may supervise: Licensed independent clinical social worker; not a relative, employee, or household/romantic relation
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted (post-master's; while licensed as LCSW in RI or in an exempt setting)
Can you be supervised remotely in Rhode Island?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: video status not stated.
- Video supervision: Rule defines supervision as "face-to-face contact" with an LICSW: ≥2 h every 2 weeks, ≥1 h per 20 h direct contact, ≥75% one-to-one, group ≤10. Whether video satisfies "face-to-face" is not stated.
- Supervisor licensed in Rhode Island? other: LCSW-route hours need an LICSW supervisor and a clinical license "if required in the jurisdiction where the experience was attained" (out-of-state experience contemplated); the 18-month post-MSW exemption requires a Rhode Island-licensed LICSW
- Supervisee cap: Group supervision ≤10 supervisees; ≥75% of supervision one-to-one
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
Part 216-RICR-40-05-7 eff 03/23/2023; LCSW exam requirement (ASWB intermediate/masters) was suspended until 08/15/2025 per §7.4.4(A)
Where the rules are unclear
Rhode Island’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Does live video supervision satisfy "face-to-face contact" in § 7.3(A)(13)?
- Must the LICSW supervisor of a Rhode Island LCSW hold a Rhode Island license?
In the board’s own words
“three thousand (3,000) hours of post-master's practice of clinical social work during a twenty-four (24) month to seventy-two (72) month period” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 §7.3 (definition of Experience)✓ matched in the source
“minimum of two (2) hours of supervision every two (2) weeks” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 §7.3 (Supervision)(a)✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of one (1) hour of supervision per twenty (20) hours of direct contact with clients” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 §7.3 (Supervision)(b)✓ matched in the source
“twenty-four (24) month to seventy-two (72) month period of time immediately preceding the date of application” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 §7.3✓ matched in the source
“"Supervision" means face-to-face contact with a licensed independent clinical social worker” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 § 7.3(A)(13)✓ matched in the source
“One-to-one contact with the supervisor at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the time with group supervision of no more than ten (10) supervisees” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 § 7.3(A)(13)(c)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision by an individual other than the applicant's parents; spouse; former spouse; siblings; children; employees” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 § 7.3(A)(13)(d)✓ matched in the source
“licensed as a licensed clinical social worker (if required in the jurisdiction where the experience was attained) and under appropriate supervision” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 § 7.4.2(A)(2)(b)✓ matched in the source
“under the direct personal supervision of a person who holds a valid Rhode Island license as a licensed independent clinical social worker” — 216-RICR-40-05-7 § 7.4.1(C)(2)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Rhode Island
- LCMHC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Rhode Island licenses · every state
Sources
Checked against RI Board of Social Work Examiners (RI Department of Health)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.