LMSW to LCSW in Tennessee
Verified reviewed and approved on 2026-10-09
Every rule for this pathway has been checked against the board’s published text by a named reviewer, and each one cites its source.
What Tennessee requires
| Requirement | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total supervised practice "at least three thousand (3000) hours of clinical experience" as a licensed or temporarily licensed master's social worker. | 3,000 hours | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1365-01-.04(4) (eff. 2 Mar 2022) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Direct client contact A minimum of 2,250 of the 3,000 hours in direct clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment. | 2,250 hours | Board policy on clinical hours (30 November 2023) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Total supervision received "at least one hundred (100) hours of supervision in addition to the three thousand (3000) hours of experience", at "approximately one (1) hour of supervision to every thirty (30) clinical experience contact hours". No individual minimum appears in the rule. | 100 hours | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1365-01-.04(4) (eff. 2 Mar 2022) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Time allowed "no less than two (2) years nor greater than eight (8) years" from the date the application is received. | At least 24 months | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1365-01-.04(4) (eff. 2 Mar 2022) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Time allowed "no less than two (2) years nor greater than eight (8) years" from the date the application is received. | At most 96 months | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1365-01-.04(4) (eff. 2 Mar 2022) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Who may supervise Supervision by a licensed clinical social worker; it may be by video but not by e-mail or text; "A supervisor must be secured prior to the accumulation of hours". Both keep records. | A condition, not a number | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1365-01-.08 As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Plans and reports Supervision by a licensed clinical social worker; it may be by video but not by e-mail or text; "A supervisor must be secured prior to the accumulation of hours". Both keep records. | A filing, not a number | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1365-01-.08 As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
| Plans and reports "Verification of supervision will be submitted by both the supervisor and supervisee at the time the application for licensure is filed". | A filing, not a number | 1365-01-.08(3) As set out in TripleRoute’s approved research report · read 2026-10-08 |
Also in the rule
Tennessee’s rule says these too. TripleRoute does not count them for you, so keep your own record of each.
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Supervision
"at least one hundred (100) hours of supervision in addition to the three thousand (3000) hours of experience", at "approximately one (1) hour of supervision to every thirty (30) clinical experience contact hours". No individual minimum appears in the rule.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1365-01-.04(4) (eff. 2 Mar 2022)
About this reading
- Rule set version
- 1
- In effect from
- 2026-10-08
- Published here
- 2026-10-09
- Last checked by a person
- 2026-10-09
- Next check due
- 2027-01-07
- Who decides
- Tennessee’s licensing board. Each source above names the rule a figure comes from; its link opens TripleRoute’s approved research report, where that rule is set out. Confirm with the board before relying on anything here.
Supervisors who can qualify you
No verified supervisors are listed in Tennessee yet. If you already work with one, you can invite them — we will check them against these rules just the same.
This page is TripleRoute’s reading of publicly published rules and is not legal advice. Requirements change, and boards are the only authority on their own rules. Always confirm with Tennessee’s licensing board before relying on anything here. How our coverage works