Virginia Board committee discusses consolidating LMSW and supervisee credentials, tightens supervision standards

The Virginia Board of Social Work Regulatory Committee met Feb. 6 and discussed draft regulatory changes to implement HB1897, which directs the Board to amend regulations to allow master’s-level social workers to provide clinical services under supervision.

Matt Novak, Agency Regulatory Coordinator for the Department of Health Professions, summarized the legislation and the Board’s Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA), saying the changes "require the Board to amend its regulations to allow master's-level social workers to engage in clinical services under supervision." The committee reviewed draft amendments that would consolidate requirements and credentials for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Supervisee in Social Work registration.

Board staff, including Jennifer Lang, Acting Executive Director, and Charlotte Lenart, Deputy Executive Director, presented preliminary regulatory language that would: require LMSWs who provide clinical services to have an MSW with a clinical course of study; require Board-approved supervision for clinical practice; allow LMSWs to remain in practice while not pursuing LCSW licensure; and amend timeframes for completing supervised hours and examinations.

Committee members pressed staff on transition rules for currently licensed LMSWs who did not complete clinical coursework. Sherwood Randolph Jr., a committee member, asked whether those LMSWs should be permitted to provide clinical services under supervision or be required to complete additional coursework before applying for Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) licensure. Jennifer Lang said the Committee must decide how detailed the regulations should be about ongoing supervision for LMSWs not seeking LCSW licensure.

The Committee also discussed proposed edits to regulatory definitions. Charlotte Lenart recommended retaining the term "ancillary services," warning that removing it could create confusion. Lang said certain definitions should remain to avoid interfering with future social work compact implementation. The Committee reviewed specific proposed edits to 18VAC140-20-10 and related sections.

Members raised concerns about examination sequencing and access. Teresa Reynolds suggested allowing the master's-level examination to be taken prior to degree conferral and supported permitting the clinical exam earlier during a supervision period. Staff said examination scheduling and any change to when exams can be taken would require discussion with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and new staff processes to administer such options.

The draft consolidation would reorganize sections of the regulations (including proposed changes to 18VAC140-20-40 and 18VAC140-20-50) and set post-master's experience and supervision requirements for LCSW licensure: 3,000 total hours with at least 1,380 hours of direct, face-to-face clinical client contact; a minimum of 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (with a minimum of one and a maximum of four hours of supervision per 40 hours of work experience); no more than 50 hours of the required 100 in group supervision; group supervision limited to six supervisees per session; supervised experience completed across no fewer than two years; and at least 500 hours of face-to-face client contact and 35 hours of supervision within four years immediately before applying for LCSW licensure. Staff also said out-of-state post-master's experience would require documentation that supervision met the other jurisdiction’s requirements.

Staff proposed clarifications for supervisors and supervisees: supervisors must keep supervisory contracts and documentation for five years after supervision ends, provide six-month evaluations, document hours and supervisee competency on a Board-approved form, and notify the Board within 60 days if supervision is terminated for safety-of-practice reasons. Supervisees would be required to use their name and an initial "S" with degree initials in written communications and maintain copies of supervisory contracts and documentation.

No formal regulatory votes were taken at the Feb. 6 meeting. The committee tabled proposed changes to 18VAC140-20-70 (examination requirements) until its next meeting and set action items for the May 22, 2026 meeting: review current LMSWs with macro degrees, explore exam alternatives with ASWB, clarify ongoing supervision parameters, and formalize the transition process from Supervisee in Social Work to LMSW.

The Committee adopted the agenda and approved the Sept. 12, 2025 minutes as presented. The meeting adjourned following scheduling and administrative items.