Virginia LCSW hours requirements
Supervised post-master's experience toward the Virginia LCSW. Virginia's social work definition of face-to-face includes real-time interactive technology, so telehealth counts as client contact here.
The short answer
Headline figures: Total supervised post-master's experience 3,000 hours; face-to-face client contact 1,380 hours.
Supervision: A minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours of face-to-face supervision per 40 hours of work experience, for a total of at least 100 hours.
Time limit: Supervised experience must be acquired in no less than two nor more than four consecutive years. If you do not finish in four consecutive years, you may request an extension of up to 12 months.
Post-degree experience · Authority: Virginia Board of Social Work
Requirements
| Requirement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total supervised post-master's experience | 3,000 hours |
| Face-to-face client contact | 1,380 hours Real-time interactive technology counts; the remaining hours may be ancillary services such as case management, recordkeeping, referral and coordination of services |
| Supervision | At least 100 hours |
| Supervision rate | 1 to 4 hours per 40 hours of work experience |
| Group supervision | Up to 50 hours Of the 100, in groups of no more than six unless the board approves more in advance |
Supervision
- A minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours of face-to-face supervision per 40 hours of work experience, for a total of at least 100 hours.
- No more than 50 of the 100 hours may be group supervision.
- Supervision must be registered with the board before it begins. Supervised post-master's experience without prior written board approval is not accepted.
Time limits
- Supervised experience must be acquired in no less than two nor more than four consecutive years. If you do not finish in four consecutive years, you may request an extension of up to 12 months.
- Submit your application within two years of completing the supervised experience.
What Accrue checks
- Counts your logged experience toward 3,000 hours, and face-to-face client contact, including telehealth, toward 1,380 hours.
- Counts supervision toward 100 hours.
- Warns when your supervision falls below one hour per 40 hours counted, supervision hours included, checked across all your hours rather than week by week. A warning never removes credit.
What Accrue does not check
- The 50-hour limit on group supervision is not checked.
- The 12-month extension is not tracked.
- The window of two to four consecutive years is not checked.
Common questions
- How many hours do you need for the LCSW in Virginia?
- The cited rule sets total supervised post-master's experience 3,000 hours; face-to-face client contact 1,380 hours. Source: 18VAC140-20-50; 18VAC140-20-10; 18VAC140-20-40, checked September 17, 2026. Supervision and time limits also apply; see the sections above.
- What supervision does Virginia require for the LCSW?
- A minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours of face-to-face supervision per 40 hours of work experience, for a total of at least 100 hours. No more than 50 of the 100 hours may be group supervision. Supervision must be registered with the board before it begins. Supervised post-master's experience without prior written board approval is not accepted.
- Is there a time limit for LCSW hours in Virginia?
- Supervised experience must be acquired in no less than two nor more than four consecutive years. If you do not finish in four consecutive years, you may request an extension of up to 12 months. Submit your application within two years of completing the supervised experience.
- Does meeting these figures make me eligible?
- No. The Virginia Board of Social Work reviews your application and your supervisors' verifications and decides. Accrue keeps the record and shows how the cited rule applies to it.
Sources
Sources checked
Accrue is a record-keeping aid and is not affiliated with any licensing board, accreditor or school. Rules change; confirm the requirements that apply to you with the authority that sets them before you rely on a figure.