Licensed Clinical Social Worker (clinical social worker) · Wisconsin · regulated by Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board — Social Worker Section (DSPS) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | APSW or CISW certification (Advanced Practice / Certified Independent Social Worker) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | at least 3,000 hours of clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact |
| Direct client contact | 1,000 hours face-to-face client contact; ≥600 involving DSM diagnosis and treatment of individuals |
| Exams | ASWB Clinical + Wisconsin Statutes and Rules exam |
Supervision
- How often: At least one hour of face-to-face supervision per week, may be averaged over the supervision period
- Group supervision: Group ≤6 supervisees per supervisor; social time not credited
- Who may supervise: LCSW with MSW or DSW, or LCSW with 5 yrs full-time clinical SW; psychiatrist or licensed psychologist; or other person pre-approved by the section
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted; hours must follow the master's/doctorate and APSW/ISW certification
- Paperwork: Form #2560 Documentation of Post-graduate Clinical Experience (sent directly by each supervisor); Form #2672 clinical field training; Form #2673 clinical coursework
Can you be supervised remotely in Wisconsin?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Since 6/1/2025, social work supervision 'may be performed face-to-face whether in person or remotely'. Face-to-face means in person or real-time video conferencing (MPSW 2.01(10m), (18)). Pre-licensure supervision is face-to-face individual or group sessions averaging 1 hour per week (MPSW 4.01(1)).
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in Wisconsin? Other. MPSW 2.01(12m) defines 'licensed clinical social worker' as someone holding a license under s. 457.08(4) Stats. (Wisconsin). MPSW 4.01(6) lists 'an individual licensed as a clinical social worker' and a psychologist 'licensed under ch. 455, Stats.' Anyone else must be approved in advance. Out-of-state hours count if supervised by 'a supervisor acceptable to the social worker section' (MPSW 3.09(3m)).
- Supervisor credential: None beyond the listed categories. All hours must be 'under the supervision of a supervisor approved by the social worker section'. Supervisors outside the categories need advance approval.
- Supervisee cap: Group supervision is at most 6 persons per supervisor. No total cap was found.
- Board approval first: No plan filing was found. The candidate must hold APSW or ISW certification first (hours start after certification), and supervisors outside the listed categories need advance approval. Form #2560 verification is submitted by each supervisor at licensure.
- If you live outside Wisconsin: 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
CR 24-012 (eff. 6/1/2025) defined face-to-face to include real-time video; MPSW 5.01 exam rule revised 9/1/2020. WI enacted Social Work Licensure Compact (s. 457.70).
Where the rules are unclear
Wisconsin’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Does 'an individual licensed as a clinical social worker' in MPSW 4.01(6) require a Wisconsin LCSW (per the MPSW 2.01(12m) definition), or can an out-of-state LCSW supervise Wisconsin hours?
In the board’s own words
“has completed at least 3,000 hours of clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact” — MPSW 3.09(3)✓ matched in the source
“face-to-face individual or groups sessions of at least one hour duration during each week of supervised practice” — MPSW 4.01(1)✓ matched in the source
“the group shall consist of no more than 6 persons receiving supervision for every one person providing supervision” — MPSW 4.01(2)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision may be performed face-to-face whether in person or remotely.” — MPSW 2.01(18)✓ matched in the source
“"Face-to-face" means in person or real time video conferencing where all parties can communicate by simultaneous means of audio, telephone, video, or data communications.” — MPSW 2.01(10m)✓ matched in the source
“All hours must be accumulated under the supervision of a supervisor approved by the social worker section.” — MPSW 3.09(3)✓ matched in the source
“"Licensed clinical social worker" means a person who holds a license under s. 457.08 (4)” — MPSW 2.01(12m)✓ matched in the source
“the group shall consist of no more than 6 persons receiving supervision for every one person providing supervision” — MPSW 4.01(2)✓ matched in the source
“after receiving certification as an advanced practice social worker or an independent social worker, has completed at least 3,000 hours of clinical social work practice” — MPSW 3.09(3)✓ matched in the source
“holds a master's-category multistate license granted in another state that is a party to the social work licensure compact” — Wis. Stat. s. 457.04(4)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Wisconsin
- LPC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- Psychologist
- All Wisconsin licenses · every state
Sources
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 3.09(1), (3), (3m), (4)
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 4.01(1), (2), (6)
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 2.01(10m), (18)
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 5.01
- Wis. Stat. s. 457.08(4)
- DSPS #2681 Credentialing Information for LCSW Applicants (Rev. 4/2022)
Checked against Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board — Social Worker Section (DSPS)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.