How much supervision does an LICSW in Washington require?

100 hours direct supervision; ≥70 with LICSW; ≥60 one-to-one

Can I be supervised by video in Washington?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum. One-on-one supervision (1 supervisor and 1 candidate) and group supervision (at most 6) are both defined as 'face-to-face or virtual' (WAC 246-809-310(4), (7)). This covers the required 100 hours (60 one-to-one).

Washington requirements

LICSW requirements in Washington

What it takes to become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington: 3,000 supervised hours over at least not less than two years, plus supervision, time limits, exams and whether you can be supervised by video. Every figure is sourced to the state board and dated.

Sourced to Washington State Department of Health — Social Worker program (Ch. 18.225 RCW)Checked September 25, 2026Not individually reviewed by a clinicianAbout this site

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Washington · regulated by Washington State Department of Health — Social Worker program (Ch. 18.225 RCW) · high confidence

Pre-license credential	LSWAIC (Licensed Social Worker Associate—Independent Clinical)
Supervised experience	a minimum of 3,000 hours of experience, over a period of not less than two years
Direct client contact	1,000 hours direct client contact supervised by an LICSW
Supervision	100 hours direct supervision; ≥70 with LICSW; ≥60 one-to-one
Minimum time	not less than two years
Exams	ASWB Clinical

Supervision

How much: 100 hours direct supervision; ≥70 with LICSW; ≥60 one-to-one
Group supervision: Up to 40 of 100 hours may be group; group = one supervisor and no more than six candidates (face-to-face or virtual)
Who may supervise: LICSW (≥70 hrs) or equally qualified licensed MH practitioner; licensed 2 yrs in good standing; 15 hrs supervision training, 25 hrs supervising, 2 yrs post-licensure clinical experience

When hours count and what to keep

Paperwork: DOH 670-011 Social Worker Supervised Postgraduate Experience verification, one per supervisor/setting (packet DOH 670-085)

Can you be supervised remotely in Washington?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.

Video supervision: One-on-one supervision (1 supervisor and 1 candidate) and group supervision (at most 6) are both defined as 'face-to-face or virtual' (WAC 246-809-310(4), (7)). This covers the required 100 hours (60 one-to-one).
In-person minimum: None set by the state
Supervisor credential: No registry. The approved supervisor is an LICSW (at least 70 of the 100 hours) or an equally qualified practitioner, licensed and in good standing for 2 years, with 15 hours of supervision training, 25 hours of supervising and 2 years of post-licensure clinical experience. The supervisor gives the candidate a declaration on a DOH form before supervision starts.
Supervisee cap: Per session: one-on-one is 1 candidate, and group is at most 6. No cap on a supervisor's total supervisees was found.
Board approval first: No approval of a supervision plan. The supervisor's declaration is due before supervision begins (WAC 246-809-334(3)). The Approved Supervisor Form is part of a complete associate (LSWAIC) application.
If you live outside Washington: None set by the state

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

WAC 246-809-330 amended WSR 25-11-019 (eff. 6/12/25). 2024 c 371 removed six-renewal cap on associate licenses; 120-day practice-after-application from 10/1/2025.

Where the rules are unclear

Washington’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:

Must the approved supervisor hold a Washington license?

In the board’s own words

“a minimum of 3,000 hours of experience, over a period of not less than two years” — WAC 246-809-330(2)(c) / RCW 18.225.090(1)(a)✓ matched in the source

“Sixty hours of the 100 hours of direct supervision must be in one-to-one supervision” — WAC 246-809-330(2)(c)✓ matched in the source

“over a period of not less than two years” — WAC 246-809-330(2)(c)✓ matched in the source

“"One-on-one supervision" means face-to-face or virtual supervision with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and one licensure candidate.” — WAC 246-809-310(7)✓ matched in the source

“"Group supervision" means face-to-face or virtual supervision with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than six licensure candidates.” — WAC 246-809-310(4)✓ matched in the source

“Before beginning supervision, the approved supervisor must provide the licensure candidate with a declaration that the supervisor has met the requirements of WAC 246-809-334” — WAC 246-809-334(3)✓ matched in the source

“Has had two years of clinical experience postlicensure.” — WAC 246-809-334(4)(c)✓ matched in the source

Other licenses in Washington

Sources

Checked against Washington State Department of Health — Social Worker program (Ch. 18.225 RCW)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.

Track your hours as you earn them

Practice Harbor is free while you are pre-licensed. It counts your clinical hours from the sessions you mark as attended, and you can add outside hours by hand.

Start free with Practice Harbor All requirements

General information, not legal advice. Requirements are summarized from each state’s licensing board, statutes and regulations on the date shown; the board decides, and rules change. Becoming Licensed is not affiliated with any licensing board.