LGSW to LICSW in District of Columbia
Verified reviewed and approved on 2026-10-09
Every rule for this pathway has been checked against the board’s published text by a named reviewer, and each one cites its source.
What District of Columbia requires
| Requirement | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total supervised practice "at least 3,000 hours of post-master's or postdoctoral experience participating in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families, and groups with psychosocial problems, under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker". | 3,000 hours | D.C. Official Code § 3-1208.04(a) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Total supervision received "At least one (1) hour of every thirty-two (32) hours of supervised practice shall be under immediate supervision". | At least 1 hour for every 32 of total supervised practice | 17 DCMR § 7012.8(a) (eff. 7 Oct 2022) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Time allowed "over a period of not less than 2 years or more than 4 years". | At least 24 months | D.C. Official Code § 3-1208.04(a) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Time allowed "over a period of not less than 2 years or more than 4 years". | At most 48 months | D.C. Official Code § 3-1208.04(a) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Who may supervise "Only an independent clinical social worker licensed under the Act, in good standing" may supervise a person obtaining the 3,000 hours. No years of experience or training are stated. | A condition, not a number | 17 DCMR § 7013.3 As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Who may supervise "Only an independent clinical social worker licensed under the Act, in good standing" may supervise a person obtaining the 3,000 hours. No years of experience or training are stated. | A condition, not a number | 17 DCMR § 7013.3 As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Plans and reports Supervision verification form and supervision calculation worksheet (both updated 12 February 2026) track general, face-to-face and group hours separately. | A filing, not a number | DC Health forms As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
Also in the rule
District of Columbia’s rule says these too. TripleRoute does not count them for you, so keep your own record of each.
-
Modality
The supervision relationship includes "daily in-person, telephone, video conference, or internet communication", with regular personal observation and review.
17 DCMR § 7012.8(b)
-
Off-site contract
Where the supervisor is off-site or elsewhere more than two days a week: a written contract "prior to initiating the supervision relationship", records of sessions kept five years, and Board audit. The contract is kept for three years after supervision ends.
17 DCMR § 7012.9, 7012.10
-
Licence while accruing
A social worker must first be licensed at the level they qualify for in order to practise under supervision in the District.
17 DCMR § 7012.4
About this reading
- Rule set version
- 1
- In effect from
- 2026-10-08
- Published here
- 2026-10-09
- Last checked by a person
- 2026-10-09
- Next check due
- 2027-01-07
- Who decides
- District of Columbia’s licensing board. Each source above names the rule a figure comes from; its link opens TripleRoute’s approved research report, where that rule is set out. Confirm with the board before relying on anything here.
Supervisors who can qualify you
No verified supervisors are listed in District of Columbia yet. If you already work with one, you can invite them — we will check them against these rules just the same.
This page is TripleRoute’s reading of publicly published rules and is not legal advice. Requirements change, and boards are the only authority on their own rules. Always confirm with District of Columbia’s licensing board before relying on anything here. How our coverage works