Oregon · Social Work
Oregon CSWA to LCSW: Hours, Supervision, and Reporting Requirements
Last updated July 10, 2026
Oregon's Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) credential is the supervised bridge between your MSW and independent practice as an LCSW. The Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW) sets the hour targets, the supervision cadence, and a reporting rhythm that trips up almost everyone at least once. Here is the whole picture in one place.
The hour targets
| Requirement | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total work/practice hours | 3,500 | All clinical social work practice hours |
| Direct client hours | 2,000 | Subset of total — face-to-face clinical sessions resulting in assessment, diagnosis, or treatment |
| Total supervision hours | 100 | Individual + group combined |
| Individual supervision | 50 minimum | At least half of your supervision must be individual |
| Group supervision | up to 50 | The remainder may be group |
| Minimum duration | 24 months | You cannot finish faster even if the hours are done |
The supervision cadence: twice a month, no shortcuts
Supervision must happen at least twice per month, in sessions of at least one hour each. One two-hour session does not count — the board wants two separate sessions. Your supervisor must be an Oregon LCSW approved by the board, with authority to direct your caseload and treatment plans. You may use one supervisor for individual supervision and a different one for group.
Six-month reporting windows, anchored on your birth month
This is the part most CSWAs find confusing. Your reporting windows are permanent and tied to your birth month:
- Windows end on the last day of your birth month and of your half-birthday month, alternating every six months.
- Your first window starts at your plan approval date and runs to the first boundary that leaves a meaningful reporting period — usually shorter than six months. If your plan starts only days before a boundary, the first window runs to the next boundary instead.
- Reports are due within 30 days of each window closing.
- The end months never change, even if your plan changes.
For example, a CSWA with a February birthday whose plan starts in late August reports on windows ending in February and August, every year, for the whole associate period.
One more trap: each report covers only that window's hours. The board form says it directly — report hours for the specific period, not a cumulative total.
Exam eligibility
You can sit for the ASWB Clinical exam once you have accumulated 75 supervision hours and completed 24 months of supervised experience — both, not either. The exam is administered through Pearson VUE. You also need to pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Examination, an open-book test on state rules and statutes.
Renewal, leave, and the LCSW transition
- Renewal: the CSWA certificate renews annually by the last day of your birth month ($66). There are no continuing-education requirements at the CSWA level.
- Leave of absence: any absence of three weeks or more requires notifying the board and going inactive. Hours do not count during inactive periods.
- The transition: once your hours are approved, your plan is complete, and the exam is passed, the board emails you an LCSW Initial License Form — do not file an LCSW application yourself. The initial license fee is $260, and you stay under supervision as a CSWA until the LCSW is officially issued. If your hours are complete and you are just waiting on the exam or processing, supervision can drop to once per month for one hour.
Common questions
How are my CSWA six-month reporting windows calculated?▾
Your reporting windows are tied to your birth month: they end on the last day of your birth month and of your half-birthday month, alternating every six months. Your first window runs from your plan approval date to the first of those boundaries that leaves a meaningful reporting period — if your plan starts only days before a boundary, the first window runs to the next one instead. The end months are permanent even if your plan changes, and reports are due within 30 days of each window closing.
Can one two-hour supervision session cover my monthly requirement?▾
No. Oregon requires supervision at least twice per month in separate sessions of at least one hour each. A single two-hour session does not satisfy the twice-per-month rule.
When can I take the ASWB Clinical exam as a CSWA?▾
You become eligible after accumulating 75 supervision hours AND completing 24 months of supervised experience. Both conditions must be met — the board does not grant permission early. You must also pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Examination.
Is each BLSW supervision report cumulative?▾
No. The board form says explicitly: report hours for the specific period only — it is not a cumulative total. Each six-month report covers only the hours earned inside that window.
What happens if I take time off from work as a CSWA?▾
Any absence of three weeks or more requires notifying the board and moving your certificate to inactive status. Hours cannot be counted during inactive periods, and reactivation requires a status change submission.
How do I transition from CSWA to LCSW once my hours are done?▾
Once all hours are approved, your plan is complete, and you have passed the ASWB Clinical exam, the board emails you an LCSW Initial License Form — do not submit a new LCSW application on your own. The initial LCSW license fee is $260, and you must remain under supervision as a CSWA until the LCSW is officially issued.
Official sources
This guide is informational, not legal advice. Licensure rules change — always verify current requirements with your board before making decisions about your supervision plan, and flag any discrepancies to support@almostlicensed.com so we can fix them.