Virginia
Your Step-by-Step Path to Licensure and Beyond
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
How to become a social worker
Step 1: Graduate MSW program
Step 2: Gain Board Approval for Supervision
- Create an online account with the Virginia Board of Social Work and submit an Application for Supervision. Do this BEFORE you begin your work hours. To get started click here
- You must include a proposed supervisor and location in the application.
- Supervisors must have an active LCSW in Virginia
- Have at least 2 years of post-licensure clinical social work experience
- Have professional training in supervision, consisting of a 3 credit-hour graduate course in supervision or at least 14 hours of continuing education offered by a provider approved under 18VAC140-20-105
Step 3: Begin Your Supervised Work Experience
- Complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical social work services
- Meet with your supervisor for 1-4 hours per week for a total of 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision (You may obtain group supervision, but only 50 of the 100 hours can be counted)
- Meet clients face-to-face for minimum of 1,380 hours while providing clinical social work services
- Complete your supervision in 2-4 consecutive years
- Complete and submit the LCSW by Examination application
- application fee $165
Step 4: Register for the LCSW Exam and Study with TDC!
- Once approved, contact the ASWB to register for exam, and then Pearson VUE to make an exam appointment
- Now, sign up for TDC’s LCSW Exam Prep: ASWB Clinical Level to study and pass with confidence!
Continuing Education Requirements
Pre-licensure-Social workers in VA have the same CE requirements as Licensed Social workers.
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years by June 30 of each EVEN year
- Total Hours Required:
- LCSW - 30 hours
- LMSW/LBSW - 15 hours
- Must include:
- LCSW - 6 hours Ethics
- LMSW/LBSW - 3 hours Ethics
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
How to become a Marriage & Family Therapist
Step 1: Earn Your Degree
- Master’s in MFT or related field from COAMFTE- or Board-approved school
- (Must include a supervised clinical practicum or internship, with a minimum of 700 hours, including 280 direct client contact hours)
Step 2: Complete Supervised Residency
- Must submit an application to the Board before starting residency
- Must complete 3,400 hours of residency
- 2,000 documented hours of clinical marriage and family services
- 1,000 hours must be face-to-face client contact
- At least 200 hours of in-person supervision, at least half supervised by a LMFT
- No more than 100 hours may be acquired through group supervision
Step 3: Pass 2 Required Exam
- Apply to take the AMFTRB National MFT Exam
- Exam fee $365
- Sign up for TDC’s NMFT exam prep course and study with confidence!
- After passing the written exam, Tennessee requires an oral examination administered by a committee approved by the board.
Step 4: Apply for LMFT Licensure
- Submit supervised hours
- AMFTRB exam results
- Submit official transcripts
- Pay licensure application fee $175
Continuing Education Requirements
CE Requirements for Ohio MFTS
License Renewal
- Renewal Cycle: Every year
- Total Hours Required: 20 hours
- Must include:
- 2 hours ethics, standards of practice or laws
- 20 hours may be completed online
Therapist Development Center is an approved provider through ASWB ACE
