State Requirements

Clinical Supervision Requirements in Kentucky

A summary of clinical supervision requirements for Kentucky-based mental health professionals pursuing LCSW, LPCC, and LMFT licensure. Always verify current requirements directly with the respective Kentucky licensing boards.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and reflects requirements as of our last review (Last reviewed: February 2026). Licensing requirements change. Always verify current requirements with the appropriate Kentucky board before making decisions about your supervision.

Licensing Board Overview

Kentucky regulates mental health professions through separate boards under the Department of Professional Licensing (DPL). Social workers are governed by the Board of Social Work, counselors by the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, and marriage and family therapists by the Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists.

LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Kentucky)

Kentucky's LCSW is governed by 201 KAR 23:070. Candidates hold a Certified Social Worker (CSW) license while accruing supervised experience.

Supervised Experience Requirements

  • Total supervised experience: 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time post-master's clinical practice
  • Supervision hours: 200 hours of clinical supervision
  • Individual vs. group: A minimum of 100 hours must be individual supervision
  • Exam: ASWB Clinical Examination

Supervisor Qualifications

  • Must hold an active Kentucky LCSW license
  • Must have at least 3 years of post-licensure clinical practice experience
  • Must complete a 3-hour board-approved supervision training course

LPCC: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (Kentucky)

Kentucky's LPCC is governed by 201 KAR 36:060. Candidates hold a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) credential while accruing hours.

Supervised Experience Requirements

  • Total supervised experience: 4,000 hours of post-master's experience
  • Direct client contact: At least 1,600 hours must be direct client contact
  • Supervision hours: 100 hours of individual, face-to-face clinical supervision
  • Exam: NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination)

Supervisor Qualifications

  • Must hold an active Kentucky LPCC license
  • Must have at least 2 years of post-licensure experience
  • Must complete a 3-hour board-approved supervision training course

LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Kentucky)

Kentucky's LMFT is governed by 201 KAR 32:030. Candidates hold a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFTA) credential while accruing hours.

Supervised Experience Requirements

  • Total supervised experience: 2 years of post-master's experience
  • Direct client contact: Minimum of 1,000 hours of direct client contact
  • Supervision hours: 200 hours of clinical supervision
  • Exam: AMFTRB National Examination

Supervisor Qualifications

  • Must hold an active Kentucky LMFT license
  • Must have at least 4 years of post-licensure experience OR hold AAMFT Approved Supervisor status
  • Must complete a 3-hour board-approved supervision course

Kentucky-Specific Details

Separate Boards

Unlike states with a single behavioral health board, Kentucky maintains separate boards for each profession. This means supervisors and supervisees must navigate different administrative codes (KAR Title 201, Chapters 23, 32, and 36) and use different board-specific forms for supervision agreements and hour tracking.

Uniform Supervisor Training

While the boards are separate, all three professions require supervisors to complete a 3-hour board-approved supervision training course before taking on supervisees.

Virtual Supervision in Kentucky

Kentucky boards generally permit telehealth supervision, provided it occurs via secure, HIPAA-compliant, two-way interactive video. Supervisors should verify current board guidance on any limitations related to the percentage of supervision that can be conducted virtually versus in-person.

Key Kentucky Board Contact Information

How to Become a Clinical Supervisor in Kentucky

Supervisor requirements in Kentucky vary by discipline but share a common requirement for a 3-hour training course. Always confirm current standards with the respective board.

Becoming an LCSW Supervisor

  • Hold an active Kentucky LCSW license
  • Complete at least 3 years of post-licensure clinical practice
  • Complete a 3-hour board-approved supervision training course
  • Submit the required supervisor registration forms to the Board of Social Work

Becoming an LPCC Supervisor

  • Hold an active Kentucky LPCC license
  • Complete at least 2 years of post-licensure experience
  • Complete a 3-hour board-approved supervision training course
  • Submit the required supervisor registration forms to the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors

Becoming an LMFT Supervisor

  • Hold an active Kentucky LMFT license
  • Complete at least 4 years of post-licensure experience (or hold AAMFT Approved Supervisor status)
  • Complete a 3-hour board-approved supervision course
  • Submit the required supervisor registration forms to the Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists
Tip: If you're ready to start supervising, setting up your documentation system before you take on your first supervisee saves time later. See our guide on how to start offering clinical supervision.

How Guidara Helps Kentucky Supervisors

Guidara structures your supervision records the way Kentucky licensing boards expect: signed supervision documentation, hour tracking by category, timesheet approvals, and exportable reports. Everything is stored digitally with timestamps and audit trails, so you're always audit-ready.

See something that needs updating? Licensing requirements change, and we want to keep this page accurate. If you notice outdated or incorrect information, let us know.

Keep your Kentucky supervision records organized

Guidara tracks hours, captures signatures, and stores documentation the way Kentucky licensing boards expect.

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