Social Work

Appendix A
Requirements for Supervised Experience for Licensure as an LCSW

You must document the completion of three years of full-time supervised clinical social work experience in diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment plans, or the part-time equivalent, or combination of full-time and part-time supervised clinical social work in no more than six consecutive years after receipt of the M.S.W. degree.

Full-time experience shall consist of not less than 48 weeks per year, excluding vacation, with no less than 20 client contact hours per week over the course of three years. The part-time experience is no less than 10 client contact hours per week over a period greater that three years but not to exceed six calendar years. All experience must be obtained in a setting acceptable to the Department after completion of the professional education required for licensure.

Qualified Supervisor

The experience must be supervised by an individual who had at least three years of full-time experience in diagnosis, psychotherapy and assessment-based treatment plans, or the part-time equivalent, prior to supervising the applicant and who is licensed and registered to practice as a(n):

• LCSW in New York State or the equivalent as determined by the Department; or
• Psychologist who, at the time of supervision of the applicant, was licensed as a psychologist in the state where supervision occurred, was qualified in psychotherapy as determined by the Department based upon the Department's review of the psychologist's education and training, including but not limited to education and training in psychotherapy obtained through completion of a program in psychotherapy registered pursuant to Part 52 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education or a program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association; or
• Physician who, at the time of supervision of the applicant, was a diplomate in psychiatry of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. or had the equivalent training and experience as determined by the Department.

A supervisor who is not an LCSW or who has not previously been approved by the State Education Department to supervise the provision of psychotherapy services by an LMSW must submit an Approval of Qualifications to Supervise Psychotherapy (Form 4Q) to allow the Department to determine whether the supervisor is qualified in diagnosis, psychotherapy and assessment-based treatment planning. The Form 4Q may be submitted prior to the supervised experience but approval of the supervisor does not guarantee that the experience will be accepted.

A supervisor may not have a familial relationship with the applicant, as such dual relationships may constitute a charge of unprofessional conduct under the Education Law and Regents Rules.

Supervision Sessions

The supervision must consist of at least one hour per week or two hours every other week of in-person individual or group clinical supervision, for at least four hours each month. No less than two of the minimum four hours of supervision must be individual clinical supervision each month. During each supervision session:

• your supervisor must provide the diagnosis and appropriate treatment for each client;
• your cases must be discussed with your supervisor; and,
• your supervisor must provide you with oversight and guidance in diagnosis and treating clients.

The supervisor is legally and professionally responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of each client and must have access to all relevant information. It is the responsibility of your employer to provide appropriate supervision as an LMSW may only practice clinical social work under supervision. Any arrangements for third-party supervision must include a written agreement between the employer, third-party supervisor and the LMSW to specify the supervisor's access to clients and client records to ensure appropriate supervision of the LMSW. The client must be informed of how confidential information is handled in the case of third-party supervision and how to raise questions with the employer and/or third-party supervisor.

Setting for the Experience

The supervised experienced must be obtained in a facility setting or a non-facility setting or a combination of the two where licensed clinical social work services may be legally provided under New York laws and regulations.

A Facility Setting is a federal, state, county or municipal agency, or other political subdivision, or a charted elementary or secondary school or degree-granting educational institution, or a not-for-profit proprietary incorporated entity, which government agency, educational institution, or non-for-profit or proprietary incorporated entity is licensed or otherwise authorized to provide services that fall within the scope of practice of licensed clinical social work.

A Non-facility Setting means any other setting not listed above where professional social work services may be legally provided by a licensee.

See Section 7703 of the Education Law and Part 74.4 of the Commissioner's Regulations for more detail.