How to Become an Approved Clinical Supervisor in West Virginia as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

Becoming an approved clinical supervisor is a meaningful step for licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in West Virginia. Supervisors not only mentor new clinicians but also ensure that the profession maintains high standards of care. Below, we’ll walk through the official West Virginia clinical supervisor requirements, the continuing education (CE) rules, mistakes to avoid, and how the Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) can support your professional development.

✅ Supervisor Eligibility Requirements in West Virginia

Under the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling’s Series 8 Rules, supervisors must meet specific qualifications before they can oversee an applicant’s clinical work.

To qualify as a supervisor, Series 8, §27-8-6.2.g states that you must:

• Hold the right license: You need to be licensed as either a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in West Virginia.

• Have experience: You must have been licensed for at least two years and have at least five years of therapy or counseling experience.

• Complete supervision training: The Board requires either:

  • A one-semester graduate course in MFT clinical supervision, or

  • A 30-hour continuing education course in clinical supervision from a Board-approved provider.

• Submit supporting materials: Supervisors must provide documentation to the Board showing their license status, details of their supervision training, a statement of their therapy philosophy, and relevant experience.

• Meet professional standards: Supervisors are expected to demonstrate stable employment history, competence in core practice areas, and adherence to the AAMFT Code of Ethics.

• Alternative pathway: Instead of the above, you can qualify if you’ve been formally recognized as an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor (Rule 6.2.h).

📖 Source: West Virginia Code of State Rules, Title 27, Series 8 – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing Rule, §6.2.g–6.2.h (2024).

🔄 Ongoing / Renewal CE Requirements

West Virginia requires LMFTs to renew their licenses every two years with 35 hours of continuing education (CE) from a Board-approved provider. Of these hours:

• 3 hours must cover ethics, using the AAMFT Code of Ethics as a reference point.

• 2 hours must focus on veterans and/or their families.

• If you hold the Approved Licensed Professional Supervisor (ALPS) designation, you must also complete an additional 3 hours of CE in clinical supervision each renewal cycle.

📖 Source: WVBEC – Continuing Education Requirements

⚠️ Pitfalls to Avoid

Many well-meaning supervisors run into issues that result in supervision hours not being counted toward licensure. Some of the most potential problems include:

• Supervisee not registered with the Board
  If a supervisee doesn’t have an approved supervision contract on file, none of their hours will count.

• Incomplete documentation
  The Board requires detailed quarterly reports and logs. Missing signatures, hours, or late submissions can invalidate supervision records.

• Supervisor not fully qualified
  If a supervisor has not been pre-approved, lacks the required CE training, or does not meet the two-year license/experience threshold, the supervisee’s hours may be rejected.

📘 How the Telehealth Certification Institute Supports Professional Development

West Virginia permits continuing education through Board-approved providers, approved programs, home study approval, or post-program approval as outlined in Series 3 of the Legislative Rules.

Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) is not currently designated as a Board-approved provider under §6.2.b. Licensees are responsible for verifying CE eligibility under Series 3 requirements prior to enrollment.

Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) offers continuing education programs for professional development. Acceptance toward West Virginia licensure renewal is determined by the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling.

Recommended Courses (Professional Development)

• Clinical Supervision Certificate Program (CSC)
  This advanced program includes 49 CE hours and covers all essential supervision competencies. Participants receive a certificate of completion.

• Individual Supervision CE Courses
  If you’re looking for training in a specific area, you can browse our catalog of individual clinical supervision CE courses and select the options that best match your professional development goals and learning needs.

🤝 Free Clinical Supervision Forum

Join our live, bi-monthly forum created for clinical supervisors—open to all behavioral health professionals!

• ✅ Earn complimentary live CE hours
• 💬 Tackle real-world supervision challenges
• 🌐 Connect with supervisors from across the country

🔗 Register now and be part of the conversation

🌟 Why Choose TCI for Your Training?

• 🌟 Trusted by Thousands: Join a community of behavioral health professionals nationwide who rely on us.
• 📚 Flexible & Self-Paced: Study at your convenience—online, anytime, anywhere.
• 🎓 Expert-Led Courses: Learn from accredited CE programs taught by top industry professionals.
• 💡 Modular & Cost-Effective: Pay only for the training you need, with courses tailored to your goals.

⚠️ Disclaimer

“The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Licensing and supervision requirements may change, and interpretations may vary. It is the responsibility of each individual to verify the current rules and qualifications directly with their state licensing authority.”

🚀 Ready to Get Started?

Take the next step in your career by serving as a clinical supervisor in West Virginia.
👉 Clinical Supervision Certificate Program (CSC)
👉 Individual Supervision CE Courses
Shape the future of the profession—supervise with expertise and confidence.