1625 NORTH MARKET BLVD.
SUITE S-200
SACRAMENTO, CA 95834
(916) 574-7830
WWW.BBS.CA.GOV
Revised: 08/2024| PDE_19-379
IMPORTANT
ANSWERS TO
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
FOR ASSOCIATE CLINICAL
SOCIAL WORKERS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES, AND HOUSING AGENCY Gavin Newsom, Governor
Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S200, Sacramento, CA 95834
Telephone: (916) 574-7830
www.bbs.ca.gov
Associate Clinical Social Worker
Frequently Asked Questions
Revised August 2024
The information provided in this publication is supplemental and is intended to serve as
a quick answer guide for common questions for those pursuing licensure as a Licensed
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The Board’s Statutes and Regulations contain the
official legal code sections. The Board encourages you to thoroughly read the Statutes
and Regulations pertaining to the clinical social work profession.
Not a registered Associate yet? Start here: Handbook for Future LCSWs
A. ASW REGISTRATION; LAW AND ETHICS EXAM
1. What are the requirements to become an Associate? ...................................................... 1
2. When can my hours begin counting towards the LCSW licensing requirements? What is
the 90-day rule?............................................................................................................. 1
3. What is a private practice or professional corporation and when will I be allowed to work
in either of these settings? ............................................................................................. 1
4. Are there any limitations on working in a private practice or professional corporation?.... 1
5. What is an exempt setting? .............................................................................................. 2
6. Now that my ASW registration has been issued, can I start practicing independently /
open my own office? ...................................................................................................... 2
7. When am I required to renew my ASW registration? What must I do to renew? .............. 2
8. When do I need to take the Law and Ethics Exam? What happens if I don’t take it in
time? .............................................................................................................................. 3
9. How do I apply to take or retake the California Law and Ethics Exam?............................ 3
10. What happens if I don’t pass the California Law and Ethics Exam? ............................... 3
11. What happens if I haven’t passed the Law and Ethics Exam by my registration’s 6-year
time limit?....................................................................................................................... 4
12. I have another question about the California Law and Ethics Exam that isn’t addressed
here................................................................................................................................ 4
13. How do I obtain a second or third (subsequent) ASW registration number and can I
count experience gained under a subsequent number? ................................................ 4
14. Can I work in a private practice or professional corporation under a subsequent ASW
registration number? ...................................................................................................... 4
15. What happens once I pass the Law and Ethics Exam?.................................................. 4
B. EXPERIENCE HOURS, SUPERVISION AND EMPLOYMENT
16. What is the breakdown for the experience required to become a LCSW? ..................... 5
17. What is triadic supervision? ............................................................................................ 7
18. What is client-centered advocacy? ................................................................................. 7
19. What is the definition of “telehealth counseling”? ........................................................... 7
20. How many telehealth hours can I count toward licensure?............................................. 7
21. How far back can hours of experience be counted? What is the six-year rule?.............. 7
22. How do I determine the amount of supervision I need each week?................................ 8
23. What is the required ratio of supervision to direct clinical counseling hours? ................. 8
24. Can I be paid as a 1099 / independent contractor or bill clients directly? ....................... 8
25. Can I be employed as a volunteer? ................................................................................ 8
26. Who is eligible to supervise ASWs? ............................................................................... 9
27. How many supervisees can participate in a session of group supervision? ................... 9
28. Can group supervision be broken into one-hour increments? ...................................... 10
29. Can I receive supervision via videoconferencing or over the telephone? ..................... 10
30. What happens if my supervisor is temporarily unavailable to provide supervision? ..... 10
31. Do my supervisor and I have to be employed by the same employer?......................... 11
32. Does my supervisor have to be on site?....................................................................... 11
33. Where can I find more information about supervision?................................................. 12
34. What forms must I use to record my experience hours and supervision?..................... 12
35. How do I fill out Experience Verification forms or the Weekly Log if I have more than
one supervisor in the same work setting?.................................................................... 12
36. When do I need to send in supervision-related forms?................................................. 13
37. What types of signatures does the Board accept? ....................................................... 13
C. APPLYING FOR LICENSURE
38.What can cause my file to be closed? What happens when a file is closed? ................ 14
39. What type of employment documentation does the Board require with my Application
for Licensure? .............................................................................................................. 14
40. What additional coursework do I need to take prior to submitting an Application for
Licensure? ................................................................................................................... 15
41. What is allowed for the Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention training?............... 16
42. Do I need to take my additional coursework at a university? ........................................ 16
43. Is my additional coursework too old?............................................................................ 17
44. How can I provide verification of my experience if my supervisor is deceased or
incapacitated?.............................................................................................................. 17
45. What should I do if my supervisor refuses to sign for my hours?.................................. 17
46. Do I need to resubmit fingerprints with my Application for Licensure ........................... 18
47. What happens once I submit my Application for Licensure? ........................................ 18
48. Do I need to maintain a current ASW registration number to participate in the clinical
exam? .......................................................................................................................... 18
49. Must I continue to have supervision after my experience hours have been approved? 19
50. Once I pass both exams, when will my license be issued and when can I start practicing
independently?............................................................................................................. 19
Revised 08/2024 1
A. ASW REGISTRATION; LAW AND ETHICS EXAM
1. What are the requirements to become an Associate?
Please see the ASW Registration Application (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Applicant>
LCSW>Forms/Pubs) for all requirements.
2. When can my hours begin counting towards the LCSW licensing
requirements? What is the 90-day rule?
This depends on when you applied for ASW registration:
If you applied for ASW registration PRIOR TO January 1, 2019:
Hours of work experience and supervision may only begin counting once your ASW
registration number has been issued.
If you applied for ASW registration ON OR AFTER January 1, 2019:
If the Board receives your application for ASW registration within 90 days of your
degree award date, and you are thereafter issued an ASW registration, all post-degree
hours of supervised experience may be credited. Hours gained under this “90-day rule”
must comply with all experience and supervision requirements in order to count toward
licensure.
Additional Requirement for Applicants who Graduated ON OR AFTER January 1,
2020:
Hours may only be accepted under the “90-day-rule” described above IF the hours are
obtained at a workplace that, prior to the applicant gaining hours, required live scan
fingerprinting. To count these hours, you must provide a copy of the processed “State of
California Request for Live Scan Service” form (provided by your employer) with your
Application for Licensure. A copy of the processed form is the ONLY acceptable
documentation specified in law. If you cannot provide a copy of the processed Request
for Live Scan Service form from your employer, your experience hours will only count
from the date your Associate registration is issued. There are no exceptions. See the
90-Day Rule FAQ for more information (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Applicant>
LCSW>Forms/Pubs).
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23(b)
3. What is a private practice or professional corporation and when will I be
allowed to work in either of these settings?
4. Are there any limitations on working in a private practice or professional
corporation?
You may not work in a private practice or professional corporation until your ASW
registration number has been issued by the Board. You may work in private practice or
Revised 08/2024 2
professional corporation for a maximum of six (6) years (until your first ASW registration
has met its maximum length). There are no exceptions.
“Private practice” means a type of nonexempt setting that meets all of the following
criteria:
• The practice is owned by a licensed health professional either independently or
jointly with one or more other licensed health professionals;
• The practice provides clinical mental health services, including psychotherapy, to
clients; and,
• One or more licensed health professionals are responsible for the practice and for
the services provided and set conditions of client payment or reimbursement for the
provision of services.
“Professional corporation” means a type of nonexempt setting and private practice that
has been formed pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 13400) of Division 3 of
Title 1 of the California Corporations Code.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4996.14.2(a), 4996.23(c) and 4996.28(c)
5. What is an exempt setting?
An exempt setting is a governmental entity, a school, a college, a university, or an
institution that is both nonprofit and charitable.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.14
6. Now that my ASW registration has been issued, can I start practicing
independently / open my own office?
No. Independent practice cannot begin until you are issued an LCSW license.
Independent practice (or opening your own office) is considered unlicensed practice and
is subject to disciplinary action by the Board. You are also prohibited from billing clients
directly until you are licensed.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4991.1, 4992.3 and 4996; Regulation cited: Title 16, California Code of
Regulations (CCR) section 1881
7. When am I required to renew my ASW registration? What must I do to renew?
Registrations expire annually and have a total six (6)-year time limit. Your registration’s
expiration date will be printed on your registration certificate. You will be mailed a
courtesy renewal notice 90 days prior to your expiration date. If you have an email
address on record with the Board in the Breeze system, you will also receive an email
reminder. The Board encourages renewing online as it takes effect instantly as long as
all renewal requirements are met.
Revised 08/2024 3
To qualify for renewal, you must complete three (3) hours of continuing education in
California Law and Ethics during your renewal cycle (the one-year period prior to your
registration’s expiration date). See the Registrant Continuing Education Brochure
(available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Licensee>Continuing Education>Mandatory Coursework)
for more information. In addition, if you have not yet passed the LCSW California Law
and Ethics exam, you must take it during your renewal cycle to be permitted to renew.
Statute cited: BPC sections 4996.22 and 4996.28
8. When do I need to take the Law and Ethics Exam? What happens if I don’t take
it in time?
Associates who have not yet passed the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam
MUST take this exam during their renewal cycle in order to renew. There are no
exceptions.
It is critical that you apply to take the exam early in your renewal cycle and
schedule your exam well in advance of your expiration date to ensure your ability
to renew on time. If you wait until the last minute to take the exam, you risk delaying
your ability to renew. Your employer is unlikely to allow you to work with an expired
registration, and you won’t be able to count any experience hours toward licensure
during the time your registration lapsed. Exam applications can take up to 6 weeks for
processing. The test administrator may not have immediate test dates available, so be
sure to allow enough time for scheduling.
Statute cited: BPC sections 4992.09, 4996.23 and 4996.28
9. How do I apply to take or retake the California Law and Ethics Exam?
• If you have never applied for the California Law and Ethics exam:
Submit the INITIAL California Law and Ethics exam application online at
www.breeze.ca.gov.
• If you did not pass or were a “no show” to the California Law and Ethics exam:
Submit the RE-EXAMINATION California Law and Ethics exam application online at
www.breeze.ca.gov.
See the FAQs about the Law and Ethics Exam for more information (available at
www.bbs.ca.gov>Exams).
10. What happens if I don’t pass the California Law and Ethics Exam?
You do not need to pass the exam in order to renew; you just need to have taken it
during your renewal cycle. You may apply to retake the exam after at least 90 days
have passed from the date you last took the exam.
Statute cited: BPC section 4992.09; Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1805.05
Revised 08/2024 4
11. What happens if I haven’t passed the Law and Ethics Exam by my
registration’s 6-year time limit?
California law permits a registration to be renewed a maximum of five (5) times before
being cancelled once the registration reaches six (6) years of age. ASWs may apply for
a subsequent (second or third) registration number. You cannot be issued a subsequent
number unless you have passed the Law and Ethics Exam. There are no exceptions.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4992.09 and 4996.28
12. I have another question about the California Law and Ethics Exam that isn’t
addressed here.
See the FAQs about the Law and Ethics Exam (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Exams).
13. How do I obtain a second or third (subsequent) ASW registration number and
can I count experience gained under a subsequent number?
14. Can I work in a private practice or professional corporation under a
subsequent ASW registration number?
Submit the ASW Subsequent Registration application (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>
Applicant>LCSW>Forms/Pubs) with the required fee. Be sure to submit it well in
advance of your registration’s expiration date to allow time for processing and to avoid a
lapse in your registration. You may continue to count hours of experience under your
subsequent Associate number; however, your hours may only be up to six years old at
the time you apply for licensure, as explained in question 21.
Only those who have been issued a first ASW registration number may work in a
private practice or professional corporation. An applicant issued a subsequent ASW
number cannot work in a private practice or professional corporation. All other work
settings are permissible.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.28(c)
15. What happens once I pass the Law and Ethics Exam?
If you are still earning your hours of supervised experience, you will continue as an
Associate until you have completed your hours. No further exams are required until you
apply for licensure. You may apply for licensure once you have met all education and
experience requirements. Upon approval of your Application for Licensure, you will be
required to take and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level
Exam. Once you have passed the ASWB exam, you will submit an Application for Initial
License Issuance and fee.
Statute cited: BPC section 4992.05; Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1877.1
Revised 08/2024 5
B. EXPERIENCE HOURS, SUPERVISION AND
EMPLOYMENT
16. What is the breakdown for the experience required to become a LCSW?
California law requires 3,000 hours of supervised post-degree professional experience,
including 104 supervised weeks, in order to qualify for LCSW licensure.
An applicant for licensure cannot be approved to sit for the clinical exam without
completing both the 3,000 hours of experience and the 104 required supervised
weeks.
The charts below and on the following page provide a breakdown of the requirements
for experience hours and supervision hours.
3,000 HOURS OF SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE
BREAKDOWN OF REQUIREMENTS
Category Minimum or Maximum
Clinical psychosocial diagnosis, assessment, and
treatment, including psychotherapy or counseling
Minimum 2,000 hours
(no maximum)
Face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy
provided in the context of clinical social work
services
Minimum 750 hours
(of the above 2,000 – no
maximum)
Client-centered advocacy*, consultation,
evaluation, research, workshops, seminars,
training sessions or conferences, and direct
supervisor contact
Maximum 1,000 hours
Supervision by an LCSW
Minimum 1,700 hours and 13
weeks (no maximum)
Supervision by a Licensed Educational
Psychologist (LEP)
Maximum 1,200 hours (see
question 26 for other restrictions)
Supervision by any other type of qualified
licensed mental health professional
As long as 1,700 hours are
gained under an LCSW, there
are no other minimums. The only
maximum is 1,200 hours under
an LEP – no maximum for any
other allowable supervisor.
*See question 18 for a definition of Client-Centered Advocacy.
Revised 08/2024 6
104 “SUPERVISED WEEKS”
BREAKDOWN OF REQUIREMENTS
A “supervised week” means a week in which an Associate meets with a supervisor
for one 1 hour of individual or triadic supervision or two 2 hours of group supervision
104 SUPERVISED WEEKS – OVERALL MINIMUMS
Supervision Amount and Type
Minimum
One (1) hour of Individual or Triadic supervision per week
52 weeks (no maximum)
One (1) hour of Individual or Triadic supervision by an
LCSW per week
13 weeks (of the above
52; no maximum)
Two (2) hours of Group supervision per week
No minimum
WEEKLY MINIMUMS AND MAXIMUMS
Category Minimum or Maximum
Supervision required
weekly in each work
setting
Minimum one (1) hour of individual or triadic
supervision, or two (2) hours of group supervision.
Supervision required
within each week that
experience is claimed
Minimum one (1) hour of individual or triadic
supervision, or two (2) hours of group supervision.
Additional supervision
required weekly in each
work setting
(supervision ratios)
If more than 10 hours of “direct clinical counseling” is
performed in a week in a work setting, then one (1)
additional hour of individual or triadic supervision, or
two (2) additional hours of group supervision is
required during that week (see question 23 for more
information on supervision ratios).
“Direct clinical counseling” is defined as clinical
psychosocial diagnosis, assessment and treatment,
including psychotherapy or counseling.
Experience hours credited
weekly
A maximum of 40 hours of experience may be credited
in any 7 consecutive days between all settings toward
licensure.
Supervision hours credited
weekly
A maximum of six (6) hours of individual, triadic, or
group supervision in any week may be credited toward
licensure.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4996.23 and 4996.23.1; Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1874
Revised 08/2024 7
17. What is triadic supervision?
Triadic supervision is defined as face-to-face supervision consisting of one supervisor
and two supervisees. It is counted under the law as equivalent to individual supervision.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.1(b)(2)
18. What is client-centered advocacy?
Client-centered advocacy may include, but is not limited to, researching, identifying, and
accessing resources, or other activities, related to obtaining or providing services and
supports for clients or groups of clients receiving psychotherapy or counseling services.
It is up to your supervisor to determine whether any hours would fall under this category
since they are responsible for signing off on your weekly logs and experience
verification forms.
19. What is the definition of “telehealth counseling”?
20. How many telehealth hours can I count toward licensure?
Telehealth refers to the mode of delivering health care services and public health via
information and communication technologies to facilitate the diagnosis, consultation,
treatment, education, care management, and self-management of a patient’s health
care while the patient is at the originating site and the health care provider is at a distant
site. Supervisees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the standards of
practice for telehealth. There is no limit on the number of telehealth hours that can be
counted toward the supervised experience requirements.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 2290.5 and 4996.23; Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1815.5
21. How far back can hours of experience be counted? What is the six-year rule?
The Board cannot accept hours of experience older than six (6) years from the date the
Board receives your Application for Licensure. The law does not allow the Board to
grant exceptions.
For example, the Board receives an Application for Licensure on 4/27/2022. The Board
can only accept hours earned by this applicant (under all ASW numbers) between
4/27/2016 and 4/27/2022 if all other requirements are met.
It is important to note that if your Application for Licensure is closed (also known as
abandonment), you will be required to re-apply. Your six-year period will be recalculated
to six years back from the date your new application is received, so it is important that
you understand how the actions you take could result in file closure/abandonment. For
more information on file closure/abandonment, see question 38.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23
Revised 08/2024 8
22. How do I determine the amount of supervision I need each week?
23. What is the required ratio of supervision to direct clinical counseling hours?
“One unit” of supervision = one (1) hour of individual or triadic supervision OR two (2)
hours of group supervision.
Supervisees are required to obtain one (1) unit of supervision, as defined above, during
any week in which experience is gained in each setting.
If the supervisee provides more than 10 hours of direct clinical counseling during a
single week in a work setting, the supervisee must receive a total of two (2) units of
supervision in that same week in that setting. “Direct clinical counseling” is defined as
clinical psychosocial diagnosis, assessment and treatment, including psychotherapy or
counseling.
EXAMPLE #1: A supervisee works one job and provides 25 hours of direct clinical
counseling in a single week. This supervisee must receive two (2) units of supervision
during this week.
EXAMPLE #2: A supervisee works two jobs, and provides 12 hours of direct clinical
counseling at Job A and nine (9) hours of direct clinical counseling at Job B during the
same week. This supervisee must receive a total of three (3) units of supervision during
that week - two (2) units at Job A and one (1) unit at Job B.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.1
24. Can I be paid as a 1099 / independent contractor or bill clients directly?
25. Can I be employed as a volunteer?
You must be either a paid W-2 employee or a volunteer employee. You may not bill
clients directly. You will be required to submit proof of employment status for the period
of time during which you gained hours as an Associate when applying for licensure.
There are limited circumstances under which you may be paid under a 1099. If you
work as a volunteer and receive reimbursement for expenses actually incurred,
receiving a 1099 for those reimbursements is acceptable. If you have received a stipend
or educational loan repayment from a program designed to encourage demographically
underrepresented groups to enter the profession, or to improve recruitment and
retention in underserved regions or settings, a 1099 for the stipend or loan repayment is
acceptable. Those paid under a 1099 may be audited by the Board to ensure the
payment was for one of the above purposes.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.2(g), (h) and (i)
Revised 08/2024 9
26. Who is eligible to supervise ASWs?
The following California-licensed mental health professionals may supervise an ASW:
• LCSWs
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
• Licensed Psychologists
• Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP) (Note: LEPs may only supervise up to
1,200 hours, which must consist of educationally related mental health services that
are consistent with the LEP scope of practice described in BPC section 4989.14)
• Licensed Physicians certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology
Additionally, the supervisor must meet all of the following requirements:
• Complete the supervisor training and continuing professional development required
by law (Licensed Psychologists and Physicians certified in Psychiatry are exempt
from these requirements); and
• Maintain a current and active California license that is not under suspension or
probation. (You can check your supervisor’s status any time on the Department of
Consumer Affairs License Search here); and
• Have been licensed in California or any other state for at least two (2) years out of
the last five (5) years prior to the commencement of supervision; and
• Have practiced psychotherapy during at least two (2) years out of the last five (5)
years prior to the commencement of supervision (or, if an LEP, has provided
psychological counseling pursuant to BPC section 4989.14); OR
• Have provided direct supervision to ASWs, Associate Professional Clinical
Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Trainees, and/or Associate MFTs
who perform psychotherapy during at least two (2) years out of the last five (5) years
prior to the commencement of supervision. Supervision of psychotherapy performed
by a student (social work intern or a professional clinical counselor trainee) shall be
accepted if the supervision performed is substantially equivalent to the supervision
required for registrants.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4989.14 and 4996.20
27. How many supervisees can participate in a session of group supervision?
Group supervision sessions shall include no more than eight (8) persons receiving
supervision, even if there are two (2) or more supervisors present. Group supervisors
must ensure that the amount and degree of supervision is appropriate for each
supervisee.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.1(b)(3)
Revised 08/2024 10
28. Can group supervision be broken into one-hour increments?
Group supervision can be broken into one-hour sessions, as long as both increments
(full two hours) are provided in the same week as the experience being claimed.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.1(b)(3)
29. Can I receive supervision via videoconferencing or over the telephone?
You may be able to obtain supervision via live two-way videoconferencing if your
supervisor determines that it is appropriate to do so. The supervisor is responsible for
ensuring that the client confidentiality is preserved. For more information see the AB
1758 FAQ (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Applicant>Law Changes). Supervision
provided over the telephone will not count toward licensure because the law requires
supervision to have a face-to-face component.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.1
30. What happens if my supervisor is temporarily unavailable to provide
supervision?
Alternative supervision must be arranged. The substitute supervisor must meet all
regular supervisor qualifications. In addition:
• The substitute supervisor must sign your weekly log.
• You and the substitute supervisor must sign a Supervision Agreement.
• The substitute supervisor and your employer must sign a Written Oversight
Agreement if one is required.
If the substitute is supervising you for MORE than 30 consecutive calendar days:
• A new supervisory plan is also required, and
• The substitute supervisor must sign an Experience Verification form for hours
earned under their supervision.
If the substitute is supervising you for 30 consecutive calendar days or LESS:
• A new supervisory plan is not required.
• Your regular supervisor may sign an Experience Verification form that includes
the experience gained under the substitute.
Regulation cited: 16 CCR section 1870.3
Revised 08/2024 11
31. Do my supervisor and I have to be employed by the same employer?
32. Does my supervisor have to be on site?
If the Associate will be working in a private practice or professional corporation, the
supervisor must (1) be employed by or contracted by the Associate’s employer or be an
owner of the practice, and (2) either provide psychotherapeutic services to clients for
the Associate’s employer or have a written contract with the Associate’s employer that
provides the supervisor with the same access to the Associate’s clinical records as is
provided to employees of the Associate’s employer.
In any work setting, if the supervisor is not employed by the Associate’s employer or is a
volunteer, a written oversight agreement that addresses the supervisor’s and
employer’s responsibilities must be signed by the supervisor and the employer prior to
commencement of supervision. See the Board’s website for a sample written oversight
agreement (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Applicant>LCSW>Forms/Pubs).
In any setting, Associates may only perform services at the places where their
employers permit business to be conducted, which may include performing services at
other locations, so long as the services are performed in compliance with the laws
pertaining to supervision.
Whether a supervisor is required to be on site depends on the situation. Supervisors
must consider their responsibilities as defined in LCSW law, which includes taking
responsibility for, and control of, the quality of clinical social work services being
provided by the supervisee. Among other responsibilities, supervisors are required to do
all of the following, whether they are on site or off site:
• Ensure that the extent, kind and quality of clinical social work performed by the
supervisee is consistent with the training and experience of the supervisee.
• Monitor and evaluate the supervisee’s assessment, diagnosis and treatment
decisions and providing regular feedback.
• Monitor and evaluate the ability of the supervisee to provide services at the site(s)
where he or she will be practicing and to the particular clientele being served.
• Monitor and address clinical dynamics, including, but not limited to,
countertransference-, intrapsychic-, interpersonal-, or trauma-related issues that
may affect the supervisory or the practitioner-patient relationship.
• Ensure compliance with all laws governing the practice of clinical social work.
• Review the supervisee’s progress notes, process notes, and other patient treatment
records, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor.
• With the client’s written consent, providing direct observation or review of audio or
video recordings of the supervisee’s counseling or therapy, as deemed appropriate
by the supervisor.
Upon request by the Board, a supervisor is required to provide the Board with
documentation that verifies the supervisor’s compliance with all requirements.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4996.20 and 4996.23.3; Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1870
Revised 08/2024 12
33. Where can I find more information about supervision?
Please see the Guide to Supervision for ASWs and the Supervision Agreement
(available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Applicant>LCSW>Forms/Pubs).
34. What forms must I use to record my experience hours and supervision?
While gaining your hours of experience, you must use the following forms, available on
the Board’s website (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Applicant>LCSW>Forms/Pubs):
• Experience Verification: This form is completed upon the termination of your
supervised experience with your supervisor, and must indicate the total hours
completed in each category under your supervisor, your supervisor’s license
information and certain information about your employer. Your supervisor will sign
the form and provide you with the original for submission with your Application for
Licensure.
• Weekly Log: Log your hours on this form on a weekly basis and have your
supervisor sign weekly. You will retain the original logs. Do not submit Weekly Logs
to the Board except upon request.
For Supervisory Relationships that Commenced ON OR AFTER January 1, 2022:
Supervision Agreement: You and your supervisor must sign this form, which includes a
collaboratively developed Supervisory Plan, within 60 days of commencing supervision.
Retain for future submission with your Application for Licensure.
For Supervisory Relationships that Commenced BEFORE January 1, 2022:
• Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of an ASW: Your supervisor must have
signed this form prior to commencing supervision and provide you with the original.
Retain for future submission with your Application for Licensure.
• Supervisory Plan: Your supervisor must have signed this form prior to commencing
supervision and provide you with the original. Retain for future submission with your
Application for Licensure.
Submission of forms as directed in the instructions contained within the
Application for Licensure will lessen the possibility that the licensing evaluator
will need to request additional information from you, thus delaying the approval
of your application.
35. How do I fill out Experience Verification forms or the Weekly Log if I have
more than one supervisor in the same work setting?
If you are receiving supervision from two individuals in one employment setting, the
board recommends that you record all hours under your primary supervisor, with one
exception. Any actual supervision hours that you received under your secondary
Revised 08/2024 13
supervisor must be recorded and signed for by your secondary supervisor on separate
weekly logs and a separate Experience Verification form (your primary supervisor is not
permitted to sign for supervision hours provided by another supervisor). However, all of
your work experience hours in that setting may be recorded and signed for by your
primary supervisor. Recording your experience in this manner will lessen the probability
that the Board will need to request additional information from you when reviewing your
Application for Licensure.
36. When do I need to send in supervision-related forms?
All supervision-related forms must be submitted with your Application for Licensure. Do
not submit your Weekly Logs unless requested by the Board.
37. What types of signatures does the Board accept?
Signed documents may be original, scanned, or have an electronic signature.
Revised 08/2024 14
C. APPLYING FOR LICENSURE
38.What can cause my file to be closed? What happens when a file is closed?
File closure (also known as abandonment) could have major consequences, such
as losing experience hours that are too old. Once a file is closed, an applicant may
reapply, but must pay a new application fee and meet all current requirements. One of
those requirements is that your hours are less than six (6) years old.
If your Application for Licensure is closed (abandoned), you would lose any hours
of experience that are more than six (6) years old, based on the date the Board
receives the new Application for Licensure. See question 21 for more information
about the six (6)-year rule.
The law specifies that an application shall be deemed abandoned, and the file closed, in
any of the following circumstances:
• Applicant does not submit the remaining documents or information requested in the
application deficiency letter within one (1) year from the date of the deficiency letter;
• Applicant does not complete the application within one (1) year after filing;
• Applicant who has submitted experience hours does not sit for an examination
within one (1) year after being notified of initial eligibility to take the examination;
• Applicant who has submitted experience hours does not take an examination within
one (1) year from the date the applicant was notified of failing an examination; or,
• The applicant fails to pay the initial license fee within one (1) year after notification
by the Board of successful completion of LCSW requirements.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23; Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1806
39. What type of employment documentation does the Board require with my
Application for Licensure?
If a Paid Employee: You must provide a copy of your W-2 for each year of paid
employment in each work setting, for all tax years during which you gained experience,
with your Application for Licensure. If your W-2 is not available, you must obtain a
duplicate W-2, which may be obtained from your employer. It is also available from the
Social Security Administration or Internal Revenue Service for a fee (allow for
processing time). No other types of documents will be accepted in place of a W-2, with
one exception for the current tax year, where you will need to include a photocopy of
your most recent pay stub. Originals are not required - photocopies are acceptable.
If a Volunteer Employee: You must provide a letter from your employer verifying your
status as a volunteer with your Application for Licensure. A sample letter verifying
volunteer status is available on the Board’s website (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>
Applicant>LCSW>Forms/Pubs). Note: The letter from your employer must either be on
the employer’s letterhead or via email from your employer from a verifiable email
address.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.2
Revised 08/2024 15
40. What additional coursework do I need to take prior to submitting an
Application for Licensure?
In addition to possessing a master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of
social work, an applicant must complete specific courses prior to submitting an
Application for Licensure (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Applicant>LCSW>Forms/Pubs).
Course
Length
1. Suicide Risk
Assessment and
Intervention
All applicants 6 hours of
coursework or
applied
experience
See BPC section
4996.27
2. Provision of Mental
Health Services via
Telehealth
All applicants 3 hours
• See BPC section
4996.27.1
• Must include law and
ethics related to
telehealth
3. Child Abuse
Assessment and
Reporting in California
All applicants 7 hours
• See BPC section 28
• Course must be
based on California
law
4. Human Sexuality All applicants 10 hours See BPC sections 25
and 4996.17.2 and
5. Alcoholism and
Chemical Substance
Abuse & Dependency
All applicants 15 hours See BPC section
4996.17.2 and 16CCR
section 1807.3
6. Aging, Long Term
Care and
Elder/Dependent Adult
Abuse
Applicants who entered
a MSW program after
1/1/2004
10 hours See BPC sections
4996.17.2 and 4996.25
7. California Law and
Ethics
Applicants with an
OUT-OF-STATE
12 hours See BPC section
4996.17.2(d)(2)(F)
8. California Cultures and
Socioeconomic
Position
Applicants with an
OUT-OF-STATE
15 hours See BPC section
4996.17.2(d)(2)(G)
Continued on next page
Revised 08/2024 16
ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK REQUIRED PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR LICENSURE
(continued)
Course
Required of:
Length
Content Required
9. Spousal/Partner
Abuse Assessment,
Detection, and
Intervention
Applicants with an
OUT-OF-STATE
degree
15 hours See BPC section
4996.17.2(d)(2)(D)
10.Spousal/Partner
Abuse Assessment,
Detection, and
Intervention
All IN-STATE
applicants EXCEPT
for those who entered
a MSW program prior
to 01/01/1995
• No specific number of
hours for those who
entered a MSW
program prior to
12/31/03, but must be
of sufficient length to
cover the topics of
assessment, detection
and intervention
• 15 hours for those who
entered a MSW
program after 1/1/2004
BPC section
4996.2(f)
41. What is allowed for the Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention training?
The suicide risk assessment and intervention training may be taken as a course; or, if
this content was included within your supervised experience and you can obtain a
written certification from the program’s director of training, or from your primary
supervisor stating that the training was included within your supervised experience, it
may be accepted in lieu of a course.
If this content was included within your qualifying degree program, you will need to
obtain a written certification from the registrar or training director of your school or
program stating that this coursework was included within the curriculum required for
graduation, or within the coursework that was completed by you. Otherwise, this
requirement may be met by taking a 6 hour course from a school that holds a regional
or national institutional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, a
school approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE),
or other acceptable continuing education provider (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>
Licensees> Continuing Education>Where to Find CE Courses).
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.27
42. Do I need to take my additional coursework at a university?
No. Additional coursework may be taken from a school that holds a regional or national
institutional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), a
school approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE),
Revised 08/2024 17
or an acceptable continuing education provider (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>
Licensees>Continuing Education>Where to Find CE Courses), and may be taken in-
person or online.
43. Is my additional coursework too old?
Coursework may have been taken at any time in the past.
44. How can I provide verification of my experience if my supervisor is deceased
or incapacitated?
The Board will review documentation on a case-by-case basis in order to make a
determination. However, we recommend that you submit all of the following:
• Evidence that your supervisor is deceased or incapacitated. For example: A
copy of an obituary or death certificate if deceased; a doctor’s note, letter of
conservatorship, or letter from the employer if incapacitated.
• All supervision documentation which had previously been signed by the
supervisor, including:
o The previously signed Supervisor Responsibility Statement or Supervision
Agreement;
o The previously signed Supervisory Plan; and
o The previously signed Weekly Log forms.
• Documentation from the employer verifying employment of the supervisor and
supervisee. A letter from the employer will suffice. Other documentation will be
reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• The written oversight agreement if your supervisor was not employed by your
employer.
Note: Any letter from your employer must either be on the employer’s letterhead or via
email from your employer from a verifiable email address.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4996.23, 4996.23.2 and 4996.23.3; Regulations cited: Title 16, CCR
sections 1815.8 and 1869
45. What should I do if my supervisor refuses to sign for my hours?
The first step is to contact your supervisor and inform them that they are obligated by
law to sign for hours that you completed. The law (reference below) states, "A
supervisor shall give at least one (1) week's prior written notice to a supervisee of the
supervisor's intent not to sign for any further hours of experience for such person. A
supervisor who has not provided such notice shall sign for hours of experience obtained
in good faith where such supervisor actually provided the required supervision." If the
Revised 08/2024 18
supervisor continues to refuse to sign for your hours, you may then file a complaint with
the Board. You may file your complaint electronically at www.breeze.ca.gov.
Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1821
46. Do I need to resubmit fingerprints with my Application for Licensure
Applicants do not need to resubmit fingerprints if one or more of the following is true at
the time the Board receives the Application for Licensure:
• Applicant possesses a current ASW registration number.
• Applicant has an ASW number that has been cancelled for less than 30 days.
Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1815
47. What happens once I submit my Application for Licensure?
The Board will evaluate your application to ensure that you meet all qualifications
specified in law. Upon completion of the evaluation you will be notified of any
deficiencies in your application that need to be resolved. If there are no deficiencies you
will be notified of how to register for the exam.
It is important that you have a current email address on record with the Board as your
notification of eligibility to take the exam is sent to applicants via email only by
the Board’s testing vendor. Add or change your email address using the instructions
provided here (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>Resources>Breeze Helpful Hints).
Important: If there are any deficiencies in your application, you will have one (1) year
from the date of the initial deficiency notice to clear all deficiencies. If you do not clear
your deficiencies within one year, the law requires your file to be closed and you will be
required to reapply, including payment of a new application fee (see question 38 for all
consequences of file closure/abandonment).
Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section 1806
48. Do I need to maintain a current ASW registration number to participate in the
clinical exam?
The Board strongly encourages all individuals to maintain a current Associate
registration and to continue recording experience hours until licensed as an LCSW, as a
safeguard in the event that some of the hours submitted are unable to be accepted by
the Board either now or in the future due to application closure/abandonment (see
question 38) and/or the “six-year rule” (see question 21 for more information).
Whether you are required by law to maintain a registration, however, will depend on the
type of setting you are working in. If you are working in a non-exempt setting, you are
required to maintain a current Associate registration until your LCSW license has been
Revised 08/2024 19
issued. If you are working in an exempt setting (an institution that is both non-profit and
charitable, a school or a governmental entity), you are not required to maintain a
registration. However, your employer may require it as a condition of employment.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4996.14, 4996.14.2 and 4996.23. Regulation cited: Title 16, CCR section
1806
49. Must I continue to have supervision after my experience hours have been
approved?
Once the required number of experience hours are gained, you must receive a
minimum of one hour of direct supervisor contact per week for each practice setting in
which direct clinical counseling is performed. Once the required number of experience
hours are gained, further supervision for nonclinical practice shall be at the supervisor’s
discretion.
However, the Board strongly encourages all individuals to maintain a current Associate
registration and to continue receiving the same amount of supervision as is required to
count experience toward licensure (including maintaining a weekly log, etc.) until
licensed as an LCSW. This is recommended as a safeguard in the event that some of
the hours of experience you submit are unable to be accepted by the Board.
Even if your hours are accepted and you are approved to take the exam, sometimes
applicants lose hours because they didn’t take the clinical exam within one year of
approval of their Application for Licensure (or within one year of their last test date). This
will result in application closure (abandonment) and in that case, any hours more than 6
years old at the time of reapplication will be lost.
Statute cited: BPC section 4996.23.1(g)
50. Once I pass both exams, when will my license be issued and when can I start
practicing independently?
Once you have passed both exams, your license will be issued within 30 business days
from the date you complete one of the following:
• Apply to “upgrade to fully licensed” online via the Breeze system, and pay the initial
licensure fee; or
• Submit a Request for Initial License Issuance form (available at www.bbs.ca.gov>
Applicant>LCSW> Forms/Pubs) and pay the initial licensure fee.
DO NOT APPLY until you have completed all licensure requirements or your application
will be rejected.
Independent practice cannot begin until the Board issues your license. Otherwise it is
considered unlicensed practice, which is subject to disciplinary action by the Board.
Statutes cited: BPC sections 4996 and 4996.3