Can You Change LCSW Supervisors in Texas? What LMSWs Need to Know
Starting clinical supervision is an important step for Texas LMSWs working toward LCSW licensure. Ideally, your supervision relationship will give you consistent support throughout the process. But circumstances can change.
You may change jobs. Your supervisor may stop offering supervision. Your schedules may no longer align. Your clinical needs may change as you gain experience.
If you're considering a new supervisor, one of the biggest questions is what happens to the supervision you've already completed.
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) currently states that there is no limit on the number of LCSW-Supervisors an LMSW may have at the same time. BHEC also requires supervised experience to be properly documented, including separate Clinical Supervision Verification Forms from each LCSW-Supervisor.
That makes documentation an important part of any supervisor transition.
Can an LMSW Have More Than One LCSW Supervisor in Texas?
Yes.
BHEC's current Social Work FAQ states that Texas rules don't impose a limit on the number of LCSW-Supervisors an LMSW may have at the same time.
Having more than one supervisor doesn't remove the need for a clear and well-documented supervision arrangement.
For an LMSW working toward LCSW licensure, Texas currently requires at least 3,000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience over at least 24 months, including at least 100 hours of supervisory sessions.
Each supervisor's portion of your supervised experience needs to be documented appropriately.
Why Might an LMSW Change Supervisors?
There are several circumstances in which an LMSW may consider changing supervisors.
Your Supervisor Is No Longer Available
A supervisor may change jobs, reduce their supervision availability, relocate, or stop providing supervision.
If your current supervisor is no longer able to provide supervision, you'll need to consider how to continue meeting your supervision requirements and documenting your experience.
Your Employment Changes
Changing employers can affect your schedule, clinical setting, caseload, or access to supervision.
A job change doesn't automatically answer whether you need a new supervisor. Consider whether your existing supervision arrangement can continue appropriately and whether the schedule and clinical circumstances still work.
Your Schedules No Longer Align
BHEC states that supervision for an LMSW should occur in proportion to the number of actual hours worked. Over the required period, the frequency of supervision may need to be adjusted based on the supervisee's workload so that the required supervision hours are completed along with the required clinical experience. BHEC also states that no more than 10 hours of supervision may be counted in a single month or 30-day period.
If your schedule and your supervisor's availability no longer work together, it may be time to discuss whether the current arrangement can continue.
Your Clinical Development Needs Change
Supervision isn't only about completing required hours.
As you gain experience, you may want more discussion around:
Clinical assessment
Diagnostic considerations
Treatment planning
Complex cases
Ethical questions
Professional boundaries
Documentation
Clinical decision-making
Professional development
Your supervision needs can change as your clinical responsibilities change.
The Professional Fit Isn't Working
A supervision relationship should give you an appropriate space to ask questions, discuss uncertainty, receive feedback, and develop your clinical judgment.
If you're consistently finding that your supervision arrangement isn't meeting your professional needs, consider first whether the concern can be discussed directly with your supervisor.
If it can't be resolved, changing supervisors may be worth considering.
What Happens to the Hours You've Already Completed?
This is often the biggest concern when an LMSW is considering a supervisor change.
Texas currently requires at least 3,000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience over at least 24 months, including at least 100 hours of supervisory sessions.
BHEC's current requirements for Texas-based supervised experience state that applicants must submit a separate Clinical Supervision Verification Form for LCSW from each LCSW-Supervisor. Applicants must also submit a copy of the Clinical Supervision Plan for LCSW completed with the supervisor when supervision began.
This means your documentation becomes especially important when you change supervisors.
Don't assume that you need to start your entire supervision period over, but don't assume that previously completed hours will be accepted without the required documentation either.
Before making a transition, make sure you understand what records you have, what your previous supervisor needs to document, and what BHEC requires for your particular situation.
What Should You Do Before Leaving Your Current Supervisor?
If you're considering a change, organize your records before the transition whenever possible.
BHEC states that an LMSW may request a copy of their supervision file from their supervisor.
Consider keeping your own secure copies of relevant records, including:
Clinical Supervision Plan
Supervision dates
Supervision hours
Clinical experience hours
Supervisor information
Documentation related to your supervised experience
Any applicable verification forms
Employment or clinical-setting information
You don't want to wait until you're ready to apply for your LCSW to discover that you can't easily locate an important record.
Review Your Current Progress
Before changing supervisors, take a look at:
How many clinical hours you've completed
How many supervision hours you've completed
Your supervision dates
Your current supervision plan
Any completed or pending documentation
Your current clinical setting
Any changes in employment that may affect your supervision
Having this information organized can make the transition easier to manage.
Do You Need a New Supervisor If You Change Jobs?
Not necessarily.
Changing employers doesn't automatically mean that you must change supervisors. Whether you can continue with your current supervisor depends on the circumstances of your work, your supervision arrangement, scheduling, and applicable requirements.
For example, you may be able to continue with the same supervisor if the arrangement remains appropriate and workable.
In another situation, your new position may make continuing with that supervisor impractical.
If you're unsure, review the situation with your current supervisor and check the current BHEC requirements before making assumptions about how the change affects your supervised experience.
What About Multiple Supervisors?
BHEC currently states that there is no limit on the number of LCSW-Supervisors an LMSW may have at the same time.
If you work with more than one supervisor, keep your records organized by supervisor.
This is particularly important because BHEC requires a separate CSV form from each LCSW-Supervisor for Texas-based supervised experience.
You should also make sure you understand how your supervision arrangement is structured so that your clinical experience and supervision hours remain properly documented.
What About Virtual Supervision?
Virtual supervision may be part of a supervision arrangement, but the fact that a supervisor provides services online doesn't by itself answer whether a specific arrangement meets all applicable Texas requirements.
If you're considering a virtual supervisor, ask about:
How supervision is conducted
How supervision hours are documented
How confidentiality is handled
What happens if technology fails
How clinical cases are discussed
How changes in employment are handled
What documentation you'll receive
BHEC's current online supervisor application guide confirms that supervisors can apply for supervisor designation through the Council's online licensing system. The guide applies to LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW supervisor designations and was revised September 18, 2026.
For the rules governing your own supervision arrangement, review the current BHEC requirements and discuss any questions with the appropriate licensing authority.
Questions to Ask a New LCSW Supervisor
If you're considering a new supervision relationship, ask practical questions before committing.
Ask About Supervision Structure
How often do we meet?
Is supervision individual, group, or a combination?
How are supervision hours documented?
What happens if I need to reschedule?
How are clinical cases discussed?
Ask About Clinical Development
How do you approach clinical assessment?
How do you approach diagnostic formulation?
How much case consultation is included?
Will we discuss treatment planning?
How do you approach ethical questions?
How do you provide feedback?
Ask About the LCSW Process
How do you help supervisees track their progress?
How do you handle supervision documentation?
How do you support preparation for the ASWB Clinical Exam?
What happens if my employment situation changes?
What records will I receive during supervision?
The goal isn't simply to find someone who can provide the required supervision hours. You're also choosing a professional relationship that can shape your clinical development.
Should You Talk With Your Current Supervisor Before Changing?
If you're unhappy with an aspect of your supervision, you don't necessarily need to make an immediate decision.
First, identify the specific concern.
Is it:
Scheduling?
Communication?
Feedback?
Clinical focus?
Documentation?
Supervision structure?
A change in your employment?
A difference in professional expectations?
Some concerns may be resolved through a direct conversation with your supervisor.
If the issue can't be resolved or the supervision arrangement can no longer continue, start organizing your records and researching your next steps.
What If Your Supervisor Relationship Has Already Ended?
If you've already stopped working with your supervisor, focus first on documentation.
Request a copy of your supervision file and confirm what records are available. BHEC specifically states that an LMSW may request a copy of their supervision file from their supervisor.
You may also need documentation from each supervisor who provided your supervised experience. BHEC requires a separate CSV form from each LCSW-Supervisor for Texas-based supervised experience.
If you're unsure whether your records are complete, review the current BHEC requirements before assuming that something is missing or that your previous experience won't count.
Finding a New LCSW Supervisor
If you've decided that you need a new supervisor, start by looking at the supervision relationship as a whole.
Consider:
Your clinical goals
Your current experience level
Your client population
Your schedule
Your preferred supervision format
The supervisor's clinical experience
Their approach to feedback
Their approach to case consultation
How documentation is handled
What you want to develop during supervision
BHEC provides a way to find active Texas social work supervisors through its website.
Clinical Supervision for Texas LMSWs
Clinical supervision can provide a structured space to discuss cases, develop clinical reasoning, receive feedback, and work through questions that arise in practice.
For Texas LMSWs considering a new supervision arrangement, it's important to find a supervisor whose approach and availability fit your current professional needs.
Brittany Woodley, LCSW-S, provides virtual clinical supervision for Texas LMSWs working toward LCSW licensure.
Current Availability
Current Clinical Supervision Groups
Wednesday Clinical Supervision Group
Wednesdays | 4:00–6:00 PM
Virtual | Texas LMSWs
Limited spots remain
Tuesday Evening Group
Tuesdays | 6:00–8:00 PM
Virtual | Texas LMSWs
Currently full
Official Resources
For the most current requirements and forms, review the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council's official resources:
Requirements for holders of an LMSW seeking an LCSW BHEC LCSW Requirements
Social Workers: Applying for a License FAQs BHEC Social Work FAQs
Social Work Online Supervision Application User Guide BHEC Online Supervision Guide
Important Note
Texas social work licensing requirements, rules, forms, and procedures can change. Review the current BHEC requirements before making decisions about your supervision arrangement or submitting an LCSW application.
This article provides general educational information and isn't a substitute for professional supervision, legal advice, or current guidance from the licensing board.
