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| Supervision FAQs |
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Questions about the supervision requirement for social workers? Or are you a current supervisor wondering what is expected from you? We have answers. If you are looking to find a supervisor, please visit NASW-Michigan's "MI Social Work Supervision Directory". Who needs social work supervision?In the State of Michigan, supervision is a requirement for all limited licensed social workers both at the Bachelor’s level (LLBSW) and the Master’s level (LLMSW). How do I apply for my limited license?Visit the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) webpage to apply for your license and learn more about submission requirements. To review the Michigan licensure process, visit our “Michigan Licensure Process” webpage. I have my limited license. When can I start collecting supervised work hours?You can collect supervised work hours the day your limited license is activated. Can supervision be done virtually or does it have to be in-person?Yes. Supervision can be virtual, in-person, or a combination of virtual and in-person. The State of Michigan does not distinguish between virtual and in-person supervision concerning supervision for limited licensed social workers. How many work hours do limited licensees have to complete?4,000 hours of relevant work experience within your scope of practice. This can be paid or volunteer work. You can count work between 16 to 40 hours per week and can earn a maximum of 2,080 hours of experience per year. Do limited licensees need still need to receive supervision after they've completed 4,000 hours of relevant work experience?In order to practice social work, limited licensees must continue to receive supervision until they receive their full license. Who can serve as a supervisor for limited licensees in Michigan?For your work experience hours to count towards the licensure requirement, you must be under the supervision of a social worker that currently holds an active LMSW license with the State of Michigan. If you are an LLMSW, your supervisor must have the same license designation (i.e. clinical, macro) that you are working towards. Does a supervisor have to work at the same place as their supervisee?No, supervisors do not have to work at the supervisee's workplace. That said, if a limited licensee (particularly those seeking a clinical social work license) is looking to bill clients for their services, they should be aware that they cannot bill clients directly. Instead, billing should go through a fully-licensed LMSW that works at the supervisee's place of employment. Supervisors that are not apart of the supervisee's workplace cannot bill for services on the supervisee's behalf. Because of this, if a limited licensee is looking to bill for client-based services, it is important that there is a fully-licensed LMSW willing to bill on the limited licensee's behalf regardless of whether they provide supervision to the limited licensee or not. How often do supervisees need to meet with their supervisor?Supervisory review must be conducted for at least 4 hours per month. Of those 4 hours: at least 2 hours must be on an individual, 1-on-1 basis with your supervisor while at most 2 hours may be conducted in group settings. I have my LMSW already. What do I need to complete to add a second designation to my license?Licensees looking to add a second designation to their LMSW must complete 2,000 supervised work hours, pass the additional ASWB exam, and complete an online application through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Do I need to complete any paperwork with my supervisor?The NASW-Michigan Chapter highly recommends setting up a contractual agreement with your supervisor when services begin. We also highly recommend supervisors and/or supervisees complete weekly records of their supervision. Templates for a supervision contract and a weekly supervision record can be found below: Lastly, all supervisors are required to complete the “Supervision Verification Form” and submit it to LARA following termination of any supervision services with a supervisee. A different version of the form is used for LLBSW and LLMSW supervisees. You can find these forms on this Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) webpage under the “Licensing Applications and Forms” section. Other Links/Resources
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