Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Virginia · regulated by Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Registration of Supervision (title 'Supervisee in Social Work'); LMSW not a prerequisite |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised post-master's degree experience |
| Direct client contact | 1,380 hours face-to-face client contact |
| Supervision | at least 100 hours; no more than 50 in group |
| Minimum time | no less than two consecutive years |
| Time limit | no more than four consecutive years; extension of up to 12 months for extenuating circumstances |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical exam (take within two years of board approval) |
Supervision
- How much: at least 100 hours; no more than 50 in group
- How often: minimum one hour and maximum four hours of face-to-face supervision per 40 hours of work experience
- Group supervision: no more than 50 of the 100 hours in group; ≤6 supervisees per group unless pre-approved
- Who may supervise: LCSW with ≥2 years post-licensure clinical experience plus 3-credit graduate course or 14 hours CE in supervision (7 hours refresher within 5 years)
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted, but a deficient 600-hour practicum may be made up during post-master's supervised experience (Board page)
- Paperwork: Application for Initial Registration of Supervision with supervisory contract and Verification of Education & Field Placement form; board approval required before hours count
Can you be supervised remotely in Virginia?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval.
- Video supervision: 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (1-4 h per 40 h work); face-to-face may include technology providing real-time, interactive contact; group ≤6 supervisees unless approved in advance and ≤50 of 100 hours.
- Phone only: allowed (Board FAQ: since March 18, 2021 real-time interactive telephonic/audio communication meets the face-to-face supervision requirement)
- In-person minimum: none
- Supervisor licensed in Virginia? other: regulation says LCSW 'in the jurisdiction in which the clinical services are being rendered' (i.e., Virginia for Virginia clients); Board FAQ and handbook say LCSW 'in Virginia'
- Supervisor credential: No supervisor designation (LCSW-S title may violate §54.1-111). LCSW + 2 years post-licensure + 14 h CE or 3-credit course in supervision, plus 7 h CE in the 5 years before registration. Approved Supervisor Registry listing is optional but lets supervisees add/change supervisors without re-registration.
- Supervisee cap: none found per supervisor; group supervision ≤6 persons unless approved in advance
- Board approval first: yes: Registration of Supervision (form, supervisory contract, transcript, fee) must receive prior written Board approval before supervised experience in Virginia counts; adding a supervisor not on the Approved Supervisor Registry requires a new registration and Board approval; registry supervisors need no notice.
- If you live outside Virginia: not addressed. Board guidance 140-3: services take place where the client is located, regardless of where the social worker is located. Registration covers supervised experience 'in Virginia'.
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
18VAC140-20-50 last amended eff. July 17, 2024.
Where the rules are unclear
Virginia’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Regulation: supervisor licensed where clinical services are rendered; FAQ/handbook: LCSW in Virginia. Confirm an out-of-state LCSW cannot supervise a Virginia supervisee treating Virginia clients.
- Do audio-only client sessions count toward the 1,380 face-to-face client hours (regulation 'interactive' vs handbook 'visual')?
In the board’s own words
“a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised post-master's degree experience in the delivery of clinical social work services” — 18VAC140-20-50(A)(2)✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours of face-to-face supervision shall be provided per 40 hours of work experience for a total of at least 100 hours.” — 18VAC140-20-50(A)(2)✓ matched in the source
“Supervised experience shall be acquired in no less than two nor more than four consecutive years.” — 18VAC140-20-50(A)(2)(a)✓ matched in the source
“may include the use of technology that provides real-time, interactive contact among the individuals involved.” — 18VAC140-20-10 (Definitions: face-to-face, supervisee)✓ matched in the source
“real-time, interactive telephonic/audio communication now qualifies as meeting the face-to-face requirement.” — Board of Social Work, Social Work Supervisor FAQs (rev. 07/2025), pp. 1-2✓ matched in the source
“nor shall there be more than six persons being supervised in a group unless approved in advance by the board.” — 18VAC140-20-50 (Experience requirements for LCSW), subsections A, B, C, D✓ matched in the source
“hold an active, unrestricted license as a licensed clinical social worker in the jurisdiction in which the clinical services are being rendered” — 18VAC140-20-50 (Experience requirements for LCSW), subsections A, B, C, D✓ matched in the source
“Hold an active, unrestricted license as a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia with at least two years of post-licensure clinical social work experience.” — Board of Social Work, Social Work Supervisor FAQs (rev. 07/2025), pp. 1-2✓ matched in the source
“The Board does not have a specific supervisor designation; therefore, using the title LCSW-S could be a violation” — Board of Social Work, Social Work Supervisor FAQs (rev. 07/2025), pp. 1-2✓ matched in the source
“Supervisors are not required to register with the Board; however, it is recommended.” — Board of Social Work, Social Work Supervisor FAQs (rev. 07/2025), pp. 1-2✓ matched in the source
“Supervised post-master's degree experience without prior written board approval will not be accepted toward licensure” — 18VAC140-20-50 (Experience requirements for LCSW), subsections A, B, C, D✓ matched in the source
“If your new supervisor is NOT on the Approved Supervisor Registry, you are required by 18VAC140-20-50(A)(1)” — Board of Social Work, Registration of Supervision & LCSW Licensure Process Handbook (rev. 09/2024), §§2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3 (pp. 12-16)✓ matched in the source
4 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Virginia
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Virginia licenses · every state
Sources
- 18VAC140-20-50 (Experience requirements for LCSW)
- 18VAC140-20-10 (Definitions: face-to-face)
- 18VAC140-20-70 (Examination requirement)
- Board of Social Work: LCSW Initial Registration of Supervision page
- Board of Social Work, Social Work Supervisor FAQs (rev. 07/2025), pp. 1-2
- Board of Social Work, Registration of Supervision & LCSW Licensure Process Handbook (rev. 09/2024), §§2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3 (pp. 12-16)
- Board of Social Work Guidance Document 140-3, Technology-Assisted Therapy and Social Media (rev. Dec 9, 2023), p. 1
- Board of Social Work, Social Work Licensure Compact information page
Checked against Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.