Concerning alternative routes to social worker licensure.

HB 2286 creates an alternative pathway to social worker licensure in Washington for applicants seeking a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) license. It allows candidates to fulfill the standard 3,000-hour supervised experience requirement through "enhanced supervision" instead of passing the typical exam, provided they receive an attestation of competence from an approved supervisor. This change directly affects social work professionals completing their supervised experience, particularly those who may face barriers to taking the standard exam. The bill modifies existing licensing rules to specify that enhanced supervision must include at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact and detailed supervision requirements, including 100 hours of direct supervision by a qualified mental health practitioner.