Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Vermont · regulated by Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Director, with advisor appointees) — Social Workers · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LMSW registered for supervised practice (or, if not an LMSW, Roster entry) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 3,000 hours of supervised practice |
| Direct client contact | 2,000 direct psychotherapy service hours; remaining 1,000 direct or indirect social work |
| Supervision | one hour of supervision per 30 hours of practice (≈100 hours); at least half individual |
| Minimum time | no less than two years |
| Time limit | at least half of supervised hours must fall within 5 years of completing all licensure requirements |
| Weekly cap | no more than 1,500 hours per year credited |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical exam (within 5 years of completing requirements) plus Vermont jurisprudence exam |
Supervision
- How much: one hour of supervision per 30 hours of practice (≈100 hours); at least half individual
- How often: one hour of supervision for each thirty (30) hours of supervised practice
- Group supervision: group = supervisor plus up to eight individuals; at least half of supervision individual
- Who may supervise: LICSW, LCMHC, psychologist or psychiatrist currently practicing with ≥3 years and 4,500 hours licensed practice
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted; post-degree supervised practice only
- Paperwork: Supervision reports listing direct/indirect hours, individual and group supervision hours, and competence evaluation (Rule 4.16)
Can you be supervised remotely in Vermont?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Permanent rule: supervision must be face-to-face, and 'face-to-face supervision via HIPAA compliant electronic media is acceptable' (Rule 4.8). No sunset.
- In-person minimum: none
- Supervisor licensed in Vermont? other: supervisor must be licensed or credentialed 'in the jurisdiction where the supervised practice occurs' (Rules 4.5(b), 4.12); statute lists out-of-state/Canadian licensees as eligible supervisors
- Supervisor credential: none; ≥3 years and 4,500 hours licensed practice as LICSW, LCMHC, psychologist, psychiatrist, or out-of-state equivalent
- Supervisee cap: group supervision = supervisor plus up to eight individuals; at least half of supervision hours individual; no per-supervisor total cap found
- Board approval first: LMSWs must register for supervised practice with the Office (renewed with license); non-LMSWs must be on the Roster of Nonlicensed and Noncertified Psychotherapists before any supervised practice in Vermont; unregistered practice is not counted
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
Vermont’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Rule 4.12 requires the supervisor's credential in 'the jurisdiction where the supervised practice occurs'; for telehealth to Vermont clients, is that Vermont (client location, per 26 V.S.A. §3053) even if supervisor and associate sit elsewhere?
In the board’s own words
“successfully complete 3,000 hours of supervised practice as specified in Part 4 of these rules” — SW Rule 3.2(b)✓ matched in the source
“An applicant must have one hour of supervision for each thirty (30) hours of supervised practice.” — SW Rule 4.8✓ matched in the source
“supervised practice may be completed in no less than two years” — SW Rule 4.14✓ matched in the source
“No more than 1,500 hours per year may be credited toward the supervised practice requirement.” — SW Rule 4.15(b)✓ matched in the source
“The supervision must occur in a face-to-face setting. Face-to-face supervision via HIPAA compliant electronic media is acceptable.” — Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rule 4.8✓ matched in the source
“Face-to-face supervision via HIPAA compliant electronic media is acceptable.” — Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rule 4.8✓ matched in the source
“The supervisor must be licensed or otherwise properly credentialed in the jurisdiction where the supervised practice occurs.” — Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rule 4.12✓ matched in the source
“person licensed or certified in another state or Canada in one of these professions or their substantial equivalent.” — 26 V.S.A. §3205(a)(3)(E)✓ matched in the source
“must be currently engaged in licensed practice and have no less than three years’ and 4, 500 hours experience in licensed practice” — Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rule 4.10✓ matched in the source
“in a group setting, including the supervisor and up to eight individuals. Of the total hours of supervision, at least half” — Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rule 4.9✓ matched in the source
“A "clinical supervisor" may not include a spouse, life partner, former spouse, or family member.” — Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rule 4.11(b)✓ matched in the source
“Financial relationships between supervisor and supervisee should be discussed to ensure that both can be completely candid” — Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rule 4.11(a)✓ matched in the source
4 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Vermont
- LCMHC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Vermont licenses · every state
Sources
- Vermont Administrative Rules for Social Workers (eff. July 1, 2017), Rules 3.2, 4.1–4.15, pp. 7–11
- 26 V.S.A. § 3201 (Definitions)
- 26 V.S.A. §3205 and ch. 61 subch. 2 (Social Work Licensure Compact, §3214 et seq.)
- 26 V.S.A. ch. 56 §3053 (Out-of-state telehealth licensure/registration)
Checked against Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Director, with advisor appointees) — Social Workers’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.