License: Social Worker, Licensed Clinical

Department of Health Professions Board of Social Work

6606 West Broad Street

4th Floor

Richmond, VA 23230-1717

(804) 662-9908

Educational requirements for a licensed clinical social worker. A. The applicant shall be a graduate of a Master or Doctor of Social Work Program in a clinical course of study. An applicant with a nonclinical concentration shall complete additional graduate level academic course work and field placement/practicum to meet all requirements for a clinical course of study. B. The minimum course requirements for a clinical course of study shall include graduate level courses consisting of: 1. Twelve credit hours of explanatory theory; 2. Twelve credit hours of practice theory; 3. Three credit hours of psychopathology including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment; 4. Three credit hours of social work practice research; and 5. Coursework in diversity issues, social justice, culture, and at-risk populations. C. The requirement for a supervised field placement/practicum in clinical social work services shall be a minimum of 600 hours, which shall be integrated with clinical course of study coursework and supervised by a person who is a licensed clinical social worker or who holds a master's or doctor's degree in social work and has a minimum of three years of experience in clinical social work services after earning the graduate degree. An applicant who has otherwise met the requirements for a clinical course of study but who did not have a minimum of 600 hours in a supervised field placement/practicum in clinical social work services may meet the requirement by obtaining an equivalent number of hours of supervised practice in clinical social work services in addition to the experience required in 18VAC140-20-50. D. Graduates of a bachelor of social work program who earn advanced standing in the masters program shall meet all minimum course requirements for a clinical course of study, except advanced standing students may count up to six hours of explanatory theory and up to six hours of practice theory completed during the bachelor degree program towards meeting the requirements. E. A master of social work program shall (i) include foundation course work common for all social work students, (ii) include advanced course work for student specialization, and (iii) be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. F. A doctor of social work program shall at a minimum: (i) meet all requirements for the advanced course requirements for a clinical course of study, and (ii) be accredited by the appropriate regional academic accrediting body (e.g., Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). Experience requirements for a licensed clinical social worker. A. Supervised experience. Supervised experience in all settings obtained in Virginia without prior written board approval will not be accepted toward licensure. Supervision begun before November 26, 2008, that met the requirements of this section in effect prior to that date will be accepted until November 26, 2012. 1. Registration. An individual who proposes to obtain supervised post-master's degree experience in Virginia shall, prior to the onset of such supervision: a. Register on a form provided by the board and completed by the supervisor and the supervised individual; and b. Pay the registration of supervision fee set forth in 18VAC140-20-30. 2. Hours. The applicant shall have completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised post-master's degree experience in the delivery of clinical social work services. 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. No more than 50 of the 100 hours may be obtained in group supervision, nor shall there be more than six persons being supervised in a group unless approved in advance by the board. The board may consider alternatives to face-to-face supervision if the applicant can demonstrate an undue burden due to hardship, disability or geography. a. Experience shall be acquired in no less than two nor more than four years. b. Supervisees shall average no less than 15 hours per week in face-to-face client contact for a minimum of 1,380 hours. The remaining hours may be spent in ancillary duties and activities supporting the delivery of clinical services. 3. An individual who does not complete the supervision requirement after four years of supervised experience shall submit evidence to the board showing why the training should be allowed to continue.