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Become an Oregon-approved Supervisor

What is supervision?

Supervision is a statutory requirement for the Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA). And is a team effort between the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who acts as the supervisor, and the clinical social work associate (CSWA). 
The main goal of supervision is to help the associate learn about the laws and rules that govern social work in Oregon and gain experience in the social work field.

Importance of Supervision

Taking on the role of a clinical supervisor means stepping into a powerful position. You shape the future of social work by making a difference with every CSWA you supervise.


Supervisor Qualifications 

To supervise a Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) in Oregon, you must meet all the following requirements:
1) Licensing:  You must be one of the following:
  • A Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • An Oregon-licensed Clinical Psychologist (may provide up to half of the required supervision hours)
  • An Oregon-licensed Psychiatrist (may provide up to half of the required supervision hours)
2) Experience:  You must have at least two years of licensed clinical practice before you begin supervising an associate.
3) License Status:  You must hold an Active or Semi-Retired Oregon license. Your license must be kept current through renewal and continuing education every two years.
4) Supervision Training:  Before you begin supervising, you must have at least 15 hours of continuing education in supervision techniques completed within the last 5 years. Report those hours to the Board. 
You must also complete at least 6 hours of continuing education in supervision every 5 years after that. See the Continuing Education page for a list of approved credentialing bodies.
5) Oregon Rules and Laws Exam:  You must have passed the Oregon Rules and Laws Exam within the last 5 years. And again every 5 years thereafter.
6) Clinical Competence:  You must be qualified in the clinical areas where the CSWA will practice. You must also be experienced working with the same client populations the CSWA will serve.
7) No Conflict of Interest:  You cannot be any of the following in relation to the CSWA:
  • A spouse or relative
  • A person with a close personal relationship
  • A former therapist

If you meet the above qualifications, and wish to become an Oregon-approved supervisor, please use the Oregon BLSW Become a Supervisor Check List. 
Submit the required documentation by email to oregon.blsw@blsw.oregon.gov or fax to 888-252-1046.



What a supervisor is expected to learn and understand: 

  1. Supervision plan requirements
  2. Supervision reports and final evaluation requirements
  3. Required hours and time frames
  4. Supervision meeting requirements
  5. How to handle interruptions to supervision
  6. Ethical and professional social work responsibilities
  7. Accurate record keeping
  8. Supervision content coverage related to field of clinical social work
For additional details on each of the above items, please use the Oregon BLSW Website: CSWA Information Page to learn more about your responsibilities as a supervisor, and what an associate is also responsible to complete.



Supervision content may include the following:

Orientation Content
Supervision may include an orientation to:
  • Discuss the purpose of supervision and the approved supervision plan
  • Talk about shared goals and responsibilities of Supervisor and Associate
  • Schedule supervision meetings
  • Employer/agency mission and history
  • Services provided by the agency and conditions for service
  • Organizational structure, roles, and lines of authority
  • Communication processes within the agency
  • Accountability of the agency and the Associate responsibilities
  • Authority and limitations of the agency
  • Agency policies and professional expectations
  • Program planning and policy development processes
  • Community human services resources
  • Role of social work within the community
  • Professional responsibility to identify and address service gaps
  • Budget processes and fiscal responsibilities (as applicable)


Professional Development Content
Supervision may include the following to assist and support development in:
  • Application of social work values, ethics, and professional behavior
  • Understanding licensing laws and requirements
  • Professional identity and role within the agency
  • Time and workload management
  • Clinical decision-making strategies
  • Priority setting across multiple responsibilities
  • Use of agency policies in specific situations
  • Professional behavior in administrative relationships
  • Collaboration with professional and support staff
  • Ethical and cultural considerations in practice and public relations
  • Contribution to program and policy evaluation
  • Managing stress related to:
    • Agency limitations
    • Organizational changes
    • New roles or responsibilities
  • Ongoing evaluation of performance and supervision goals

Clinical Practice Content
Supervision may address clinical skill development, including:
  • Commitment to high-quality client service
  • Assessment and identification of client concerns
  • Application of ethics when values conflict
  • Critical thinking and curiosity in practice
  • Understanding human behavior and social environments
  • Developing, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans
  • Use of appropriate therapeutic interventions
  • Managing and ending professional relationships appropriately
  • Maintaining clinical and professional boundaries
  • Recognizing how the Associate's strengths and limitations affect services
  • Using self-awareness to improve clinical effectiveness



Oregon BLSW laws and rules governing supervision:


Additional Resources

Supervising Clinical Social Work Associates (CSWAs) presentation by former Executive Director, Randy Harnisch: Supervising CSWA's