Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Texas · regulated by Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LMSW |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 3000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience over a period of at least 24 months |
| Supervision | minimum of 100 hours of supervision with a Council-approved supervisor |
| Minimum time | 24 full months |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical exam plus Texas jurisprudence exam |
Supervision
- How much: minimum of 100 hours of supervision with a Council-approved supervisor
- How often: in proportion to actual hours worked; no more than 10 supervision hours counted per month/30-day period
- Group supervision: one-on-one, group, or combination; groups of 2–6 members; no group percentage cap stated
- Who may supervise: LCSW-S: LCSW practicing ≥2 years at that license category plus 40-hour Council-acceptable supervisor training
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted; supervision toward LCSW begins after regular LMSW license is issued (not on temporary license)
- Paperwork: Clinical supervision plan (within 30 days of initiating supervision); Clinical Supervision Verification Form with re-categorization application
Can you be supervised remotely in Texas?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential.
- Video supervision: Supervision toward LCSW may be one-on-one, group, or both, in the same location or 'via audio, web technology or other electronic supervision techniques' compliant with HIPAA and Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 611. The Council 'favors' same-place formats for a substantial part of the experience but recognises remote face-to-face; the format must be described in the supervision plan.
- Phone only: allowed (rule lists 'audio' among permitted electronic supervision techniques)
- In-person minimum: none mandated; Council states a non-binding preference for same-place supervision for a substantial part of the supervised experience
- Supervisor licensed in Texas? required
- Supervisor credential: LCSW with Council supervisor status (LCSW-S): actively licensed by the Texas Council, 2 years in the category (out-of-state practice may count), 40-hour supervisor training
- Supervisee cap: No cap on supervisees per supervisor; supervision groups must have 2-6 supervisees; no limit on number of supervisors per LMSW (FAQ); ≤10 supervision hours count per month
- Board approval first: LMSW and LCSW-S must complete and sign a Council-prescribed supervision plan before hours accrue (plan describes supervision format); plan and verification are submitted with the LCSW reclassification application. Council approval of the plan is not stated for licensure-track supervision (only Council-ordered supervision plans are approved).
- If you live outside Texas: Supervision file must list all locations where the supervisee provides supervised services; Texas practice is defined by client location. No rule addresses an LMSW physically outside Texas treating Texas clients.
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
Texas’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Is the LCSW supervision plan reviewed/approved on receipt, or only at reclassification?
- Does an LMSW working for a Texas group practice while physically outside Texas satisfy the §781.407(c) employer-control test and location-listing rule?
In the board’s own words
“Has had 3000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience over a period of at least 24 months” — 22 TAC §781.401(a)(1)(B)✓ matched in the source
“Has had a minimum of 100 hours of supervision, over the course of the 3000 hours of supervised experience, with a Council approved supervisor.” — 22 TAC §781.401(a)(1)(C)✓ matched in the source
“No more than 10 hours of supervision may be counted in any one month, or 30-day period” — 22 TAC §781.404(b)(9)(C)✓ matched in the source
“must extend over a full 3000 hours over a period of not less than 24 full months” — 22 TAC §781.404(b)(9)(E)✓ matched in the source
“Sessions may transpire in the same geographic location, or via audio, web technology or other electronic supervision techniques that comply with HIPAA” — 22 TAC §781.403(b)(4)✓ matched in the source
“via audio, web technology or other electronic supervision techniques” — 22 TAC §781.403(b)(4)✓ matched in the source
“Though the Council favors supervision formats in which the supervisor and supervisee are in the same geographical place for a substantial part” — 22 TAC §781.403(b)(6)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision formats must be clearly described in the supervision plan” — 22 TAC §781.403(b)(6)✓ matched in the source
“Be actively licensed in good standing by the Council as an LBSW, an LMSW, or an LCSW.” — 22 TAC §781.404(a)(1)✓ matched in the source
“This supervision must be provided by an LCSW who holds supervisor status.” — 22 TAC §781.402(a)(3)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision groups shall have no fewer than two supervisees and no more than six.” — 22 TAC §781.403(b)(5)✓ matched in the source
“Current rules do not impose a limit on the number of LCSW-Supervisors an LMSW may have at the same time.” — BHEC Supervision FAQs (SW)✓ matched in the source
5 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Texas
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Texas licenses · every state
Sources
- 22 Tex. Admin. Code §781.401(a)(1),(c) (Qualifications for Licensure)
- 22 Tex. Admin. Code §781.404(b),(9) (Council-approved Supervisor and Supervision Process)
- 22 Tex. Admin. Code §781.402 (Clinical Supervision for LCSW)
- 22 Tex. Admin. Code §781.412 (Examination Requirement)
- BHEC Supervision FAQs (LCSW section)
- BHEC SW Rules and Statutes rulebook (updated 03/25/2026), 22 TAC §781.403(a)(2),(b)(1)-(8), pp. 119-122 (eff. 3/18/2026)
Checked against Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.