Clinical Supervision Requirements in Utah

Licensing Board Overview

Utah regulates mental health professions through the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Since 2024, a single Behavioral Health Board oversees the licensing of social workers, clinical mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists (Utah Code 58-60-102.5). The administrative rule for all three is R156-60e.

The three tracks now share the same supervised experience requirements, set by S.B. 26 (2024). Supervisees who began before May 1, 2024 may still qualify under the old requirements until January 1, 2027.

LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Utah)

Utah's LCSW is governed by Utah Code 58-60-205. Candidates hold a Certified Social Worker (CSW) license while accruing supervised experience.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 3,000 hours of supervised work, with the hours from all supervisors adding up to at least 3,000. The statute also allows two years instead, but DOPL's application asks for 3,000 hours, so confirm with DOPL.
• Direct client care: At least 1,200 hours
• Supervision hours: At least 100 hours of direct clinical supervision, plus at least 25 hours of direct observation. Confirm with DOPL whether these count inside the 1,200 direct hours.
• Legacy rule: If your CSW was issued before May 1, 2024, you may instead qualify with 3,000 total hours, 1,000 direct client care hours, and 75 supervision hours until January 1, 2027
• Exam: ASWB Clinical Examination. An alternate exam pathway exists after a failed attempt.

Supervisor Qualifications

• Any Division-approved supervisor licensed as an LCSW, CMHC, MFT, psychologist, psychiatrist, APRN specializing in mental health therapy, or master addiction counselor (R156-60e-305.1)
• Must have been licensed for at least 2 years and have practiced or supervised in the past 24 months
• Must complete an 8-hour synchronous supervision course or a graduate course in supervision, plus 6 hours of supervision CE each renewal cycle

CMHC: Clinical Mental Health Counselor (Utah)

Utah's CMHC is governed by Utah Code 58-60-405. Candidates hold an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC) license while accruing hours.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 3,000 hours of supervised work, from all supervisors combined
• Direct client care: At least 1,200 hours
• Supervision hours: At least 100 hours of direct clinical supervision, plus at least 25 hours of direct observation
• Exam: NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination)

Supervisor Qualifications

• Any Division-approved supervisor licensed as a CMHC, LCSW, MFT, psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health APRN, or master addiction counselor
• Must have been licensed for at least 2 years and be active in the past 24 months
• Must complete an approved supervision training course

LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Utah)

Utah's LMFT is governed by Utah Code 58-60-305. Candidates hold an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) license while accruing hours.

Supervised Experience Requirements

• Total supervised experience: 3,000 hours of supervised work, from all supervisors combined
• Direct client care: At least 1,200 hours, with at least 500 of them providing therapy to couples, families, or groups (R156-60e-302.3(2))
• Supervision hours: At least 100 hours of direct clinical supervision, plus at least 25 hours of direct observation
• Exam: AMFTRB National Examination, or the California BBS LMFT clinical exam

Supervisor Qualifications

• Any Division-approved supervisor licensed as an MFT, CMHC, LCSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health APRN, or master addiction counselor
• Must have been licensed for at least 2 years and be active in the past 24 months
• Must complete an approved supervision training course. AAMFT Approved Supervisor is among the programs DOPL lists as approved.

Utah-Specific Details

Employment Setting

Hours must be earned in a public agency or private clinic, such as a mental health agency, hospital, school, nonprofit, or government agency. Associates practice within the scope of their employment, and a CSW may provide mental health therapy only under supervision and as an employee. The current rule does not state a W-2 requirement, so confirm employment arrangements with DOPL.

Associate Licenses and Supervisor Association

Utah requires counseling and MFT candidates to obtain an associate license (ACMHC or AMFT) before beginning to accrue supervised experience hours. Social workers must hold a CSW. A Clinical Supervisor Association Form for each supervisor must also be on file with DOPL before that supervisor's hours count. DOPL says there are no exceptions.

Supervision Rules

• Each supervisor signs a written supervision contract with the supervisee before supervision begins. The contract must include a meeting plan, a documentation plan, and a plan for how AI use will be managed.
• Supervisor and supervisee meet at least weekly for full-time supervisees, or at least twice a month otherwise. Each meeting lasts at least 50 minutes.
• No more than 10 hours of direct clinical supervision count in any 30-day period
• Group supervision with 3 or more supervisees counts for no more than 25 hours, and a group may have no more than 6 supervisees
• The supervisee keeps a monthly supervision log, and the supervisor signs the hours at least quarterly
• Direct observation of live or recorded client care may be done by the supervisor or by a licensee the supervisor approves, followed by a discussion

More Than One Supervisor

If you have more than one supervisor, each one needs their own contract and association form. At the end, each supervisor signs a Record of Clinical Supervision for the hours completed under them, plus an attestation. DOPL adds up the hours from all supervisors.

Interstate Compacts

Utah is a member of the Counseling Compact (2022) and the Social Work Licensure Compact (2024). Neither compact is issuing privileges in Utah yet.

Virtual Supervision in Utah

Utah permits remote supervision. It must be synchronous, with two-way audio and video, and the supervision contract must include a remote supervision protocol that protects client data. There is no percentage limit on remote supervision.

Key Utah Board Contact Information

• Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL): commerce.utah.gov/dopl
• Supervisor requirements: DOPL Mental Health Supervisor Information

How to Become a Clinical Supervisor in Utah

Supervisor requirements in Utah are the same across social work, counseling, and MFT. Any approved supervisor from the eligible license types may supervise any of the three tracks. Always confirm current standards with DOPL.

Becoming an LCSW Supervisor

• Hold an active, eligible license in good standing. Out-of-state supervisors are allowed with an official license verification.
• Be licensed for at least 2 years and active in the past 24 months
• Complete an 8-hour synchronous supervision course or a graduate course, taken at least 24 months after licensure
• Submit proof of training to DOPL and request Division-approved supervisor status. Each supervisee then files a Clinical Supervisor Association Form for you.

Becoming a CMHC or LMFT Supervisor

• Hold an active Utah CMHC or LMFT license (or other eligible license)
• Be licensed for at least 2 years and active in the past 24 months
• Complete approved supervision training (AAMFT Approved Supervisor and NBCC/CCE ACS are listed as approved programs), plus 6 hours of supervision CE each cycle
• Request Division-approved status. From January 1, 2027, all supervisors must have DOPL's "Approved Supervisor" designation, which appears on the license.

How Guidara Helps Utah Supervisors

Guidara keeps hour logs, signed supervision notes, and timesheet approvals in one place, with timestamps and audit trails. Guidara exports PDF records a supervisor can use when completing DOPL's Record of Clinical Supervision. Guidara does not fill or submit DOPL forms.