Clinical Supervision Requirements in Alaska

Licensing Board Overview

Clinical supervision in Alaska is regulated by three boards: the Board of Professional Counselors, the Board of Social Work Examiners, and the Board of Marital & Family Therapy. All three sit under the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. These boards set requirements for supervised clinical experience, supervisor qualifications, and documentation standards for clinicians seeking independent licensure.

LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Alaska)

Alaska's LCSW requires post-master's supervised clinical social work experience. Requirements are defined in 12 AAC 18.115 and AS 08.95.110. Supervisor qualification rules in 12 AAC 18.113 now apply to licensing periods beginning after June 30, 2026.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 2 years full-time or 3,000 hours part-time of post-master's supervised clinical social work experience (per AS 08.95.110(a)(2))
• Time window: The experience must be completed within the 10 years before you apply (per AS 08.95.110(a)(2))
• Supervision hours: 100 hours of direct clinical supervision, equitably distributed throughout the supervised period (per 12 AAC 18.115(a)). The board's FAQ says supervision must span the entire two years, even if you reach 3,000 hours sooner
• Individual vs. group split: No more than 50 hours may be group supervision (at least 50 must be individual). The board may grant exceptions for good cause
• Exam: ASWB Clinical examination (per 12 AAC 18.105(a)(1))
• Ethics standard: NASW Code of Ethics, 2021 edition (per 12 AAC 18.150)

Supervisor Qualifications

• License: Must be a clinical social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist with an unrestricted license during the period of supervision (per 12 AAC 18.115(b)(2))
• Experience and training (licensing periods beginning after June 30, 2026): At least 3 years of experience as a licensed CSW/psychologist/psychiatrist and at least 6 hours of CE in supervision or supervisory practices (per 12 AAC 18.113(1)). Plus 6 hours of supervision CE each biennial licensing period (per 12 AAC 18.113(2))
• An LPC or LMFT, or any other alternate supervisor, requires board pre-approval via Form #08-4944 before supervision begins

LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor (Alaska)

Alaska's LPC supervision requirements are defined in 12 AAC 62 and AS 08.29. The board uses the "Approved Counselor Supervisor" designation. Amended regulations took effect August 21, 2026.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised counseling experience over a minimum of 2 years, including 1,000 hours of direct counseling (per AS 08.29.110(a)(6))
• Duration: Supervision may not be completed in less than 24 months (per 12 AAC 62.225(e)). Breaks are allowed, but only months attested to by a supervisor count
• Supervision hours: 100 hours of direct (real-time) supervision (per 12 AAC 62.220(d), (f))
• Individual vs. group split: At least 50 hours must be one-on-one; the remaining 50 may be one-on-one or group
• Meeting frequency: The former 1-hour monthly minimum was repealed on August 21, 2026. 12 AAC 62.400(h) requires an applicant under an approved supervisor to meet with the supervisor synchronously at least once every two weeks. Confirm with the board how this applies to you
• Exam: NCE or NCMHCE (administered by NBCC), or another nationally recognized exam the board finds equivalent (per 12 AAC 62.110(b))
• Education: Master's or higher with 60 graduate semester hours, coursework in 8 of 10 listed areas, and at least 3 graduate credits in ethics (if applying on or after Feb 1, 2012)

Associate Counselor License

• HB 126 (2024) created the associate counselor license, and the implementing regulations took effect August 21, 2026
• After March 31, 2027, the board will not accept supervision hours received in Alaska outside an associate counselor license (per 12 AAC 62.220(g))
• Hours do not count for any dates when the associate license or the supervisor's certification is not active
• A supervision plan, signed by the associate and the approved supervisor, is filed with the associate application (per 12 AAC 62.225(a))
• At the end of supervision, each supervisor submits a Completion of Supervision form and rates the associate's competency in 5 areas (per 12 AAC 62.225(b))

Supervisor Qualifications (Approved Counselor Supervisor)

• Must be certified as "Approved Counselor Supervisor" by the board before supervision begins (per 12 AAC 62.220(b)(1))
• Must complete 12 contact hours of CE related to supervision within the 5 years before application (per 12 AAC 62.200(b)(6))
• Training must meet the board's continuing education standards in 12 AAC 62.320
• 5 years of postgraduate counseling experience (per 12 AAC 62.200(b)(4))
• Application: Form #08-4430 (Approved Counselor Supervisor)
• Ethics standard: AMHCA Code of Ethics, 2015/2020 revision

LMFT: Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (Alaska)

Alaska uses the title "Licensed Marital and Family Therapist" (note: "Marital" not "Marriage"). Requirements are defined in 12 AAC 19 and AS 08.63. Alaska uses a Marital/Family Therapy Associate license during the supervised period.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Clinical contact hours: 1,700 hours of clinical contact (per AS 08.63.100(a)(3)(C))
• Supervision hours: At least 100 hours of individual supervision and 100 hours of individual or group supervision (200 total)
• Education: Master's or doctorate including 9 semester hours in MFT, 9 in marital/family studies, 9 in human development, 3 in professional studies/ethics/law, 3 in research, plus 9 semester or 12 quarter hours of supervised clinical practice (per AS 08.63.100(a)(3)(B))
• Exam: AMFTRB national exam plus an Alaska jurisprudence exam (open-book, 30-day return) per 12 AAC 19.110(g)-(i)
• Domestic violence training: At least 6 contact hours required (per 12 AAC 19.110(d))
• Associate license: The MFT Associate license expires 4 years after issue but may be extended because of extenuating circumstances (per AS 08.63.110(c)). Associates use the title "marital therapy associate," "family therapy associate," or "marital and family therapy associate" (per 12 AAC 19.200(d))

Supervisor Qualifications

• Individual supervisor: Must hold a current LMFT license, document 5 continuous years of practice as an LMFT, and complete at least 6 contact hours of education related to supervising MFT within the last 2 years (per 12 AAC 19.210(a))
• Group supervisor: May be a licensed LPC, LMFT, psychiatrist, psychiatric APRN, psychologist, or LCSW (per AS 08.63.120(b)(2)). Must also document 5 continuous years of practice and 6 contact hours of supervision education
• AAMFT Code of Ethics, January 1, 2015 revision applies (per 12 AAC 19.900)

Alaska-Specific Details

Three Independent Boards

Alaska regulates each mental health discipline through a separate board under CBPL: the Board of Professional Counselors (LPC), the Board of Social Work Examiners (LCSW), and the Board of Marital & Family Therapy (LMFT). Each board has its own AAC chapter (12 AAC 62, 12 AAC 18, and 12 AAC 19 respectively) and its own supervisor requirements. Fees are set by the department in 12 AAC 02.

MFT Associate 4-Year Expiration

Alaska's MFT Associate license expires four years from the date of issue (per AS 08.63.110(c)). Since July 1, 2025, the statute no longer says the license may not be renewed, and the board may extend it because of extenuating circumstances. The rule also allows an extension for reasonable cause or excusable neglect (per 12 AAC 19.200(h)). Plan your hours around the four-year limit and talk to the board early if you need more time.

LCSW Supervisor Rules Now in Effect

Supervisor qualification rules for social work under 12 AAC 18.113 apply to licensing periods beginning after June 30, 2026. Supervisors need at least 3 years of experience as a licensed CSW, psychologist, or psychiatrist and 6 hours of supervision-specific CE, with 6 more hours each biennium. If you're planning to become an LCSW supervisor, confirm with the board that you meet them.

Associate Counselor License

Alaska's HB 126 (2024) created an Associate Counselor license for the LPC pathway, and the board's implementing regulations took effect August 21, 2026. From April 1, 2027, supervised hours earned in Alaska count only under an active associate license and an active approved-supervisor certification. Existing supervisor certifications must be renewed by October 31, 2027.

Licensure Compacts

Alaska enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact (HB 110, ch. 28 SLA 2026), effective January 1, 2027. Multistate social work licenses are not yet being issued. Alaska is not a member of the Counseling Compact, and has no MFT compact.

General Documentation Requirements

Each Alaska board asks for different records. What the rules and board forms require:

• LPC: A supervision plan filed with the associate application. The supervisor keeps a supervision progress report tracking supervision hours and must produce it within 30 days of a board request (per 12 AAC 62.225(c)-(d)). Each supervisor sends a Completion of Supervision form directly to the board
• LMFT: A plan of supervision approved by the board before supervised practice (per AS 08.63.110(d)). The plan form calls for a weekly log of clinical services and supervision, signed by the supervisor, and quarterly written evaluations. Each supervisor returns a Verification of Approved Clinical Contact Hours directly to the board
• LCSW: No log requirement or supervision plan, unless an alternate supervisor needs approval. Each supervisor completes a Postgraduate Clinical Social Work Supervision form, and multiple forms may be submitted

No Alaska rule requires meeting-by-meeting supervision notes, but keeping them makes these forms much easier to complete. Every board form also asks each supervisor for hours worked during that supervisor's period, not only supervision hours. Both the supervisor and supervisee should retain copies of all documentation.

Virtual Supervision in Alaska

The approach to virtual supervision differs by board:

• LPC: Explicitly allowed by telephonic or electronic means on an audio and video platform, with microphone and camera activated (per 12 AAC 62.220(e)). "Direct" supervision means supervision in real time (per 12 AAC 62.220(f)). No prior board approval is needed for distance supervision
• LCSW: "Face-to-face meetings" are defined to include "any electronic means of communication" in which both parties can speak and hear simultaneously (per 12 AAC 18.115(f)). The board may grant exceptions for alternate methods. This effectively allows virtual supervision
• LMFT: Supervision is defined as "synchronous" (per AS 08.63.900(5)), meaning a real-time interaction in person or by live streaming (per 12 AAC 19.990(9)). Supervisors who provide telesupervision must first complete teletherapy training and give supervisees a written notice of the risks (per 12 AAC 19.210(e))

Key Alaska Board Contact Information

• Board of Professional Counselors: Professional Counselors page
• Board of Social Work Examiners: Social Work Examiners page
• Board of Marital & Family Therapy: Marital & Family Therapy page
• Phone (CBPL): (907) 465-2550

How to Become a Clinical Supervisor in Alaska

Alaska's Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) regulates mental health supervision through three separate boards: the Board of Professional Counselors, the Board of Social Work Examiners, and the Board of Marital & Family Therapy. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant board.

Becoming an LPC Supervisor in Alaska

• Licensure: Must be licensed in Alaska or another jurisdiction as an LPC, psychiatrist, psychiatric APRN, LCSW, LMFT, psychologist, or psychological associate (per 12 AAC 62.200(b)(3))
• Designation: Must be certified as an "Approved Counselor Supervisor" by the board before supervision begins (per 12 AAC 62.220(b)(1))
• Clinical experience: 5 years of postgraduate counseling experience (per 12 AAC 62.200(b)(4))
• Supervision training: 12 contact hours of CE related to supervision within the 5 years before application, meeting the standards in 12 AAC 62.320 (per 12 AAC 62.200(b)(6))
• Application: Form #08-4430 (Approved Counselor Supervisor)

Becoming an LCSW Supervisor in Alaska

• License: Must be a clinical social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist with an unrestricted license during the supervision period (per 12 AAC 18.115(b)(2))
• Experience and training (licensing periods beginning after June 30, 2026): At least 3 years of experience as a licensed CSW, psychologist, or psychiatrist and at least 6 hours of CE in supervision or supervisory practices (per 12 AAC 18.113(1)). Must complete 6 additional hours of supervision CE each biennial period (per 12 AAC 18.113(2))
• Alternate supervisor: Pre-approval required via Form #08-4944 (per 12 AAC 18.115(e))

Becoming an LMFT Supervisor in Alaska

• Licensure: Must hold an active Alaska LMFT license in good standing
• Clinical experience: Must document 5 continuous years of practice as an LMFT (per 12 AAC 19.210(a)). One "year of practice" is defined as 12 months of active clinical practice totaling at least 500 hours (per 12 AAC 19.990(3))
• Supervision training: At least 6 contact hours of education related to supervising MFT within the last 2 years
• Group supervision: Can be provided by licensed LPC, LMFT, psychiatrist, psychiatric APRN, psychologist, or LCSW, with the same 5-year and 6-hour requirements (per AS 08.63.120(b)(2))

Alaska-Specific Considerations

• Small state, limited supervisors: Alaska's smaller population can mean fewer available supervisors, making telehealth supervision particularly important. Verify current telesupervision rules with the relevant board
• Three separate boards: Each discipline has its own board, so requirements may differ between them
• Cross-discipline: Alaska does not require the supervisor to hold the same license type. LPC supervisors may hold any of seven licenses, MFT group supervisors any of six, and LCSW supervisors may be psychologists or psychiatrists, or board-approved LPCs and LMFTs

How Guidara Helps Alaska Supervisors

Guidara keeps hour logs and timesheets with running totals, signed supervision notes for every supervision meeting, and timesheet approvals. Each supervisor's records stay separate, which matches Alaska's one-form-per-supervisor approach. Guidara does not fill in or submit board forms, but you can export PDF records to use when completing them. For supervisors working with remote supervisees across Alaska's vast geography, Guidara keeps everything organized and accessible from anywhere.