How Do I Become a Clinical Supervisor for Therapists?

At a certain point, many seasoned therapists want to expand their income and support new clinicians by becoming supervisors. Clinical supervision is a meaningful way to empower pre-licensure mental health therapists while deepening your own practice.

But how exactly do you become a clinical supervisor? What requirements does the board require? And once you’ve earned the title, how do you maintain your status as a therapist supervisor? This guide walks you through everything you need to know to begin your journey into clinical supervision.

What Is a Clinical Supervisor?

A clinical supervisor is a licensed mental or behavioral health professional who provides oversight, mentorship, and evaluation for pre-licensed or provisional licensed therapists. Clinical supervisors are responsible for helping supervisees (individually and in group supervision) develop clinical competence, ethical decision-making, and professional identity.

A mental health supervisor’s role includes:

• Reviewing and discussing client cases
• Monitoring legal and ethical issues
• Offering emotional support and preventing burnout
• Helping supervisees navigate licensure requirements
• Providing formal evaluations and documentation
• Modeling professionalism and reflective practice

Supervision is not just a legal requirement for licensure. Therapy supervision is a valuable relationship that can improve a therapist’s long-term skills. Good supervisors are mentors, encouragers, and educators all rolled into one.

Why Become a Clinical Supervisor?

Many mental health professionals pursue supervision because they:

• Want to give back to the profession
• Enjoy teaching, mentoring, and leadership
• Are looking to diversify their income
• Hope to develop professionally by deepening their own understanding of the field

Being a behavioral health supervisor helps you stay connected to basic theories and new practices. It also gives you a stronger sense of purpose and legacy in your work.

How to Become a Clinical Supervisor: Step-by-Step

The rules for becoming a clinical supervisor can differ by state and license type (like LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or PsyD). Checking with your licensing board can ensure you don’t miss any key nuances in the licensure process. That said, the general steps are fairly consistent across the U.S.:

Step 1: Obtain Full Licensure

You must be fully licensed and in good standing before supervising others. Most states require:

• An active license in your clinical discipline (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, PsyD, etc.)
• A minimum number of post-licensure clinical hours—often two years or more
• No ethical or discipline-based actions on your record

Step 2: Meet Experience Requirements

Before you can supervise, many states require a minimum number of post-licensure practice years. This can vary, often from 2–5 years depending on your license. Some boards also require a specific number of hours providing direct clinical service.

For example:

• In Texas, LPCs must have at least 3,000 hours of post-licensure experience over at least 18 months before applying.
• In California, LCSWs must have 2 years of full-time clinical experience after licensure to supervise ASWs.

Check your licensing board’s website to verify what’s required in your state:

• State Licensure Boards (ASPPB)
• NBCC State Board Directory for Counselors

Step 3: Complete a Supervision Training Course

Nearly every state requires a formal training course before you can supervise. These are often called “clinical supervision trainings” or “supervisor certification courses” and typically include:

• 20–40 CE hours on supervision models, ethics, and legal responsibilities
• Topics like multi-cultural supervision, documentation, and gatekeeping
• Online or in-person options

These courses are offered by:

• Professional associations (e.g., NASW, ACA, AAMFT)
• CEU platforms (e.g., PESI, CE4Less, Save the Therapist)
• Local universities or state boards

Look for a training that is board-approved in your state to ensure it meets the requirements.

Step 4: Apply for Supervisor Credentialing (If Required)

Some states require an additional application to formally become a board-approved supervisor. This may include:

• Submitting your supervision training certificate
• Verifying your post-licensure experience
• Paying a fee
• Renewing this status semi-regularly (often every 2–5 years)

For example, in Texas, LPCs must complete a Supervisor Application and receive formal board approval to supervise LPC Associates. In other states, once you meet the training and licensure experience requirements, you automatically gain the ability to supervise.

Check with your board to learn if you need certain supervisor credentials or prerequisites.

Maintaining Your Supervisor Status

Once you become a clinical supervisor, here’s how to stay in good standing:

1. Stay Current with Continuing Education

Many states require supervisors to complete ongoing CEUs in clinical supervision, typically every renewal cycle (e.g., every 2 years). Topics often include:

• Ethical supervision
• Multi-cultural competence in supervision
• Advanced supervision models

Be sure to document these CE hours and keep proof of completion in case of audit.

2. Maintain Your License

If your own license lapses or is suspended, you lose the ability to supervise. Always stay on top of license renewals, CE requirements, and any changes in legal standards.

3. Use Clear Contracts and Documentation

Good supervision requires clear agreements. Use written supervision contracts that outline:

• Frequency and duration of meetings
• Goals of supervision
• Ethical responsibilities and expectations
• Evaluation methods

Keep detailed documentation of all supervision sessions, including date, time, content discussed, and feedback provided.

4. Stay Up to Date on State Regulations

Laws change, and authorities regularly update supervision rules. Prospective supervisors must review their licensing board’s announcements and newsletters to avoid being caught off guard.

You can also join professional organizations like:

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• American Counseling Association (ACA)

These organizations often offer supervision resources, ethics updates, and CEUs tailored to supervisors.

Lastly, explore additional platforms (such as Motivo Health) that can help you market your clinical supervision to broader audiences.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a clinical supervisor is both a responsibility and a privilege. You’ll influence how new behavioral health therapists think, care, and grow—not just for their clients, but for the field at large.

If you’re passionate about teaching, mentoring, and professional development, supervision may be a natural next step in your career.

Start where you are, check your state requirements, and begin envisioning the kind of supervisor you want to be. The field needs wise, grounded, and compassionate leaders—your voice matters.