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    Provisional License Supervision

    Provisional License supervision is required for the first 2,000 hours of clinical and non-clinical social work practice.

    Non-clinical Supervised Practice for Provisional LSWs, LGSWs, and LISWs:

    • Providing assessment and intervention through direct contact with clients, developing a plan based on information from an assessment, and providing services which include, but are not limited to, assessment, case management, client-centered advocacy, client education, consultation, counseling, crisis intervention, and referral
    • Providing for the direct or indirect benefit of clients through administrative, educational, policy, or research services including, but not limited to:
      • Advocating for policies, programs, or services to improve the well-being of clients
      • Conducting research related to social work services
      • Developing and administering programs which provide social work services
      • Engaging in community organization to address social problems through planned collective action
      • Teaching professional social work knowledge, skills, and values to students
     

    Clinical Supervision practice for Provisional LGSW, LISW, and LICSW

    Clinical practice means applying professional social work knowledge, skills, and values in the differential diagnosis and treatment of psychosocial function, disability, or impairment, including addictions and emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders. Treatment includes a plan based on a differential diagnosis. Treatment may include, but is not limited to, the provision of psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Clinical social workers may also provide the services described in the definition of practice of social work.
     

    How much supervision is required? 

    • 3 hours of supervision for every 160 hours of practice

    • for a total of

    • 37.5 hours of supervision over 2,000 hours of practice

     

    What types of licensing supervision are acceptable:

    • A total of 37.5 hours of supervision is required
    • Half of the supervision must consist of one-on-one supervision. Supervision can be in person or via eye-to-eye electronic media while maintaining visual contact.
    • Group supervision must not exceed six supervisees and can be provided in person, by telephone, or via eye-to-eye electronic media while maintaining visual contact.
     

    Who can provide provisional supervision?

    • Supervisors must complete 30 hours of training in supervision, which may be satisfied by completing academic coursework in supervision or continuing education courses in supervision as defined in section MN Statute 148E.120 subdivision 1(1).
    • Provisional Licensees are not authorized to provide licensure supervision.
    • Provisional LSW may be supervised by:
      • LSW who has completed the supervised practice requirements
      • LGSW 
      • LISW
      • LICSW
    • Provisional LGSW, LISW, LICSW not engaged in clinical practice may be supervised by:
      • LGSW who has completed the supervised practice requirements
      • LISW
      • LICSW
    • Provisional LGSW, LISW, LICSW engaged in clinical practice must be supervised by:
      • LICSW
    • Alternate supervisors:
      •  May provide licensing supervision to any provisional licensee
        • Up to 25% of the required supervision hours, according to MN Statute 148E.120 Subd. 2, may be provided by licensing supervision to any provisional licensee.
        • Up to 100% of the supervised practice requirement may be completed with an alternate supervisor, if one of the following applies:
          • There are 5 or fewer licensed social workers in the county where the supervisee practices. Go to Public License Lookup and check the 'Licensing Supervisor' option and select your county to determine the number of eligible licensing supervisors by county.
          • The supervisor is an unlicensed social worker who is employed in, and provides supervision in, a setting exempt from licensure and has equivalent qualifications.
          • The supervisor is a social worker engaged in authorized social work practice in a state or province surrounding Minnesota.
          • The licensee is engaged in authorized social work practice outside of Minnesota and the supervisor meets equivalent qualifications.
      

    Apply for a Standard License:

    • Upon completion of the requirements of a provisional license, it is necessary for the applicant to pursue a standard license to continue to engage in social work practice under Minnesota Statute Chapter 148E. A Provisional to Standard application must be submitted, and all required steps, including submission of the initial licensure fee upon approval for licensure, must be completed within one year or the application is closed.
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