Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · South Carolina · regulated by SC Board of Social Work Examiners (LLR) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | three thousand hours of social work practice under clinical supervision |
| Supervision | 100 hours of face-to-face direct clinical supervision, equitably distributed |
| Minimum time | 2 years |
| Time limit | 4 years |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical exam (authorized only after approved supervision contract) |
Supervision
- How much: 100 hours of face-to-face direct clinical supervision, equitably distributed
- How often: Equitably distributed across the period (no fixed per-week figure)
- Group supervision: Board allows up to 50% group supervision with no more than 6 supervisees
- Who may supervise: LISW-CP who passed board exam, has 4,500 hrs clinical practice over ≥3 yrs after LISW-CP, and 45 hrs supervision training
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted: must occur after licensure as a Masters Social Worker
- Paperwork: LISW Supervision Contract approved before supervision starts; Report of Supervised Experience from supervisor at end
Can you be supervised remotely in South Carolina?
Yes by video, but the supervisor needs a state-specific supervisor credential and the board must approve the arrangement first. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential, prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Statute requires "face-to-face meetings" totalling ≥100 h of direct clinical supervision; the board FAQ says the 100 hours may be obtained electronically through an appropriate HIPAA-compliant two-way video platform.
- Phone only: not allowed (board FAQ requires two-way video)
- Supervisor licensed in South Carolina? required (contract supervisor must be a Board-approved LISW; separate workplace supervisor must hold an active SC license)
- Supervisor credential: Board-approved LISW-CP/AP supervisor: passed clinical/advanced ASWB exam, ≥4,500 h practice over ≥3 yrs after LISW, 45 h supervision training
- Board approval first: Plan for clinical supervision filed with (guidelines: approved by) the board before supervision begins.
- If you live outside South Carolina: SC license required for anyone serving an SC client by telephone or electronic means regardless of the social worker's location; no specific rule on an LMSW physically outside SC.
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.
Where the rules are unclear
South Carolina’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- The statute says "face-to-face meetings"; the video allowance is only in the board FAQ — is there a formal board policy or regulation?
In the board’s own words
“satisfactory completion of three thousand hours of social work practice under clinical supervision” — S.C. Code § 40-63-240(A)(6)✓ matched in the source
“must have occurred after licensure as a Masters Social Worker and over a minimum two-year and maximum four-year period” — S.C. Code § 40-63-240(A)(6)(a)✓ matched in the source
“face-to-face meetings between the approved clinical supervisor and the supervisee for a minimum of one hundred hours of direct clinical supervision equitably distributed” — S.C. Code § 40-63-240(A)(6)(b)✓ matched in the source
“The Board will allow 50 percent of the supervision time to be group supervision with no more than six (6) supervisees.” — LLR Requirements for Independent Level Licensure Clinical Practice (11/2015)✓ matched in the source
“The supervision must be accomplished through the use of an appropriate, HIPAA-compliant two-way video platform.” — LLR Social Work FAQ✓ matched in the source
“HIPAA-compliant two-way video platform” — LLR Social Work FAQ✓ matched in the source
“must include face-to-face meetings between the approved clinical supervisor and the supervisee for a minimum of one hundred hours” — S.C. Code § 40-63-240(A)(6)(b)✓ matched in the source
“The contract supervisor does not necessarily have to be employed by the agency where the LMSW is working.” — LLR Social Work FAQ✓ matched in the source
“under the supervision of an appropriately-credentialed professional employed by the agency where the LMSW is practicing” — S.C. Code Regs. 110-30(B)✓ matched in the source
“must maintain an active and unencumbered South Carolina license” — S.C. Code Regs. 110-30(B)✓ matched in the source
“To become an approved supervisor, one must first be a Licensed Independent Social Worker, CP or AP” — LLR Social Work FAQ✓ matched in the source
“may not practice privately or independently” — LLR Social Work FAQ✓ matched in the source
4 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in South Carolina
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All South Carolina licenses · every state
Sources
- S.C. Code § 40-63-240(A),(D)
- LLR, Requirements for Independent Level Licensure Clinical Practice (11/2015), items 5-10
- LLR, Guidelines for LISW Supervision (11/2015)
- S.C. Code Regs. 110-30 (LMSW supervised clinical practice), eff 05/24/2024
- LLR Board of Social Work Examiners FAQ (Supervision Contract; Telepractice)
Checked against SC Board of Social Work Examiners (LLR)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.