Karen Kerschmann, LCSW

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Clinical Supervision

 

Kerschmann & Associates

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and  Clinical Supervision

Kerschmann & Associates

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and  Clinical Supervision

FAQs: California Clinical Supervision for ASWs, AMFTs & APCCs- Including 2025 BBS Updates

by | Dec 3, 2025 | Intern Supervision

If you’re an ASW, AMFT, or APCC in California working toward licensure, the supervision and hour-tracking process can feel overwhelming. This California clinical supervision guide for ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs brings together the latest 2025 supervision-log updates, plus the most up-to-date answers to the questions associates ask most often.

Abstract green watercolor artwork suggesting insight and curiosity for a California clinical supervision article

What’s New?

The BBS has redesigned the weekly supervision logs to make documentation more accurate, efficient, and accessible.

  • Automatic calculation of weekly and cumulative hours

  • Digital signature capability for supervisors (no more scanning and uploading)

  • Cleaner formatting to reduce errors and speed up reviews

  • Compatible with electronic storage and submission systems

Download the Updated Logs

FAQs for Clinical Supervision in California in 2025:  What Every ASW, AMFT & APCC Should Know

All information below is current as of 2025 and reflects AB 1758, SB 1024, and updated BBS guidance.

1. I have all of my hours, but I’ve been avoiding the exam. How long do I have?

The 6-Year Rule

Only hours earned within the past six years count toward licensure.

Application Abandonment

Your application may be considered abandoned if you:

  • Don’t submit missing documents within one year

  • Don’t complete your application within one year

  • Don’t take the exam within one year of eligibility

  • Don’t retake the exam within one year of failing

  • Don’t pay the initial license fee within one year

Avoiding abandonment prevents delays, extra fees, or restarting the process.

2. Can I receive supervision through videoconferencing?

 As of 2022, video supervision is permitted in most settings.

Supervisors must

  • Use a HIPAA-compliant platform

  • Maintain all supervision requirements (documentation, weekly timing, competency review)

  • Conduct an initial assessment of your ability to provide telehealth services

This expands prior rules that restricted remote supervision to “exempt settings.”

3. Do ASWs, AMFTs, or APCCs Need Supervision After Their Hours Are Completed?

It depends- here is the breakdown.

If the associate is still doing psychotherapy – YES, they must stay under supervision

  • You must remain in supervised practice until you are fully licensed.

  • No associate can independently provide psychotherapy services.

This means:
If they are doing therapy, diagnostic work, clinical assessment, treatment planning, or any BBS-defined psychotherapy service—they must remain under a Board-approved supervisor until they receive their LCSW/LMFT/LPCC license.

If the associate is not doing psychotherapy – NO, supervision is not required

If the job duties no longer fall under the definition of psychotherapy or clinical practice, then:

  • No clinical supervision is legally required once hours are met.

  • They can remain in that non-clinical job without a supervisor.

Examples where supervision is not required after hour completion:

  • School counselor doing only academic or guidance counseling

  • Case manager with exclusively administrative or resource-linking duties

  • Program coordinator

  • Housing specialist

  • Outreach coordinator

  • Administrative role within a clinical organization (but not doing therapy)

4. Do I have to take the Law & Ethics exam every year until I pass?

Yes. If you haven’t passed the Law & Ethics exam, you must continue to retake it until you pass. Once you pass, the requirement is permanently complete (as long as your registration stays active).

5. When can I start counting hours?

The 90-Day Rule is a BBS rule that lets associates count post-degree hours before their registration number is officially issued – but ONLY if they apply for their associate registration within 90 days of graduating.

If you register past these 90 days, you cannot count hours until your ASW/AMFT/APCC number is officially issued.

6. My former supervisor is unavailable. How can I verify my hours?

Ensure the following documents are signed and saved throughout your supervision:

You, as the associate, are legally required to keep all originals.

7. My agency doesn’t employ a supervisor. How can I earn my hours?

Your supervisor does not need to work at your agency.

Associates may:

  • Contract privately with a qualified supervisor

  • Attend group, triadic, or individual supervision

  • You and your agency will need to complete an Oversight Agreement 

8. The 104-Week Rule: The Licensing Requirement that Can Surprise You

You must complete both:

  • 3,000 total hours, and

  • 104 supervised weeks (with at least 52 weeks containing individual supervision)

Some associates exceed their hour requirement yet fall short on supervised weeks — which delays eligibility.
The new BBS logs help prevent this mistake by clearly tracking week totals.

Final Thoughts

California’s licensure path has many moving parts, but with the updated supervision logs, clear supervision guidelines, and a well-informed supervisor, you can navigate the process confidently.

If you’re an ASW, AMFT, or APCC looking for clinical supervision, documentation guidance, or support navigating the licensure process, I’d be happy to help.

Want to talk more about how to get clinical supervision hours in California (ASW AMFT APCC)?

I provide individual and group supervision for ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs across California, with a focus on:

  • High-quality, evidence-based case consultation

  • Professional development

  • Exam preparation support

  • Ethical guidance

  • Support with clear documentation and hour tracking using updated 2025 BBS standards

I’d love to help you move through your licensure process with clarity, confidence, and support.

If you find this article down your alley, check out some similar blog posts:

All Interns Should Ask Themselves these 3 Questions….

FAQs: ASW and LCSW Supervision

FAQs: Receiving Clinical Supervision Online

by | Nov 7, 2016 | Intern Supervision, Uncategorized

In the State of California, most Associates (AMFT, ASW, APCC) can receive their supervision via teleconferencing. This move is allowing interns to break some of the past barriers to obtaining hours, and also grants more freedom to find a clinical supervisor that meets your needs….regardless of distance!

Am I able to receive supervision via videoconferencing?

Per the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, if you are working for a non-profit charity you are able to obtain your supervision through teleconferencing. Governmental entities, colleges, universities and most schools also meet this criterion.

The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the California Association of Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC) have all recognized the value of using videoconferencing in supervision as well as therapy.

How do I know that my supervision is confidential and follows HIPAA regulations?

As with all intern supervision, a letter of agreement will be signed by all members establishing confidentiality in group sessions, with the exception of mandated reporting. Sessions will be held through VSee, a videoconferencing platform designed specifically for HIPAA compliant sessions. VSee is free for interns to download and use.

 How much does supervision cost?

Most LCSW intern supervision can be completed online in California

ASW Supervision throughout California

One hour of individual supervision is $100

Two hours of group supervision is $80

How many hours can I complete under group supervision?

For Associate Social Workers (ASWs), Marriage and Family Associates (AMFTs) as well as Associate Professional Clinical Counselors (APCCs), groups will satisfy up to 52 of the 104 required weeks of supervision.

What is covered in the group process?

Most interns I have worked with come with various levels of competence and needs depending on their professional responsibilities and career trajectory. I create a plan with you at the beginning of supervision to establish your professional goals and what skills are needed to reach them, as well as how to know when they have been met. Each plan addresses all of the following areas of competency: Biopsychosocial and risk assessment, ICD-10 and DSM-5 diagnostics, treatment plan development, cultural competency, therapeutic interventions, developmental theories, community resource coordination as well as legal and ethical standards.

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences Board Examinations is broad and covers what each LPCC, LCSW and MFT should know as a licensed practitioner. The general content in each exam is addressed consistently throughout our work together. It’s strongly encouraged that you use one another to build ‘study teams’ when you are six months away from your first test.

What are the expectations of each participant?

The goal of supervision is to increase your clinical acumen and skill; my job is to ensure that you receive a rich and collaborative environment to do so. Group work provides a unique opportunity to receive constructive feedback and ideas from a diverse group of peers. It is expected that all participants will take turns presenting case consult as well as provide helpful input during to others. There will be times that either one of us may request an individual session as appropriate.

My goal for all interns who come for supervision is to create a stimulating, safe environment that encourages open thought and professional growth. Group supervision is a place where you can feel free to ask questions and to come to a better understanding of how to best help your clients. You can be assured that we will work specifically on cases that you bring to the session and address the clinical issues of your clients, and help you reach your goals.

Interested in reading more? Click on these links below for additional information:

Clinical Supervision for ASWs and IMFs

LCSW and MFT Supervision: 8 Answers to Common Questions

MFT – LPCC – LCSW Supervision

All ASW and AMFT Associates should ask themselves these three questions:

by | Nov 20, 2013 | Intern Supervision

All ASWs and MFT Interns should ask themselves these three questionsFor ASWs and MFT associates, choosing a clinical supervisor is an important choice. This is the person you will be depending on to help hone your skills, enhance your potential, and help you best prepare for the board exams and your next career step. Before you even begin your search, you want to take time and reflect:

What are my career goals?

By now, you likely have a general idea what your ideal career trajectory looks like. You’ll want to find an LCSW Supervisor who is where you want to be is a great way to access a mentor to show you the skills to be successful in achieving your goals.  When interviewing a prospective LCSW supervisor, you will want to ask if they are open to sharing their experiences with you during your sessions.

What would you like supervision to look like?

Will you prefer to have individual or a multidisciplinary group to consult on cases with? Would you like in-person or video conferencing? Which aspects of practice would be of benefit to focus on, such as clinical interventions and theory, risk assessment, countertransference? How would you prioritize each goal?

How do you define your personal ‘best practice’?

Of course, you don’t want a ‘yes’ person, but knowing you have someone that aligns with your larger values and beliefs can make you the clinician you want to be.

It can be a challenge for ASWs and MFT associates to navigate the waters of finding your MFT or LCSW supervisor, choose carefully so that you can reap the rewards and invest in yourself!