SupervisionTrack

Supervision Agreement Checklist

Use this to make sure your supervision agreement is complete before work begins. Most boards expect these points to be settled in writing.

Logistics & structure

  • Meeting frequency, length, and format (in-person, telehealth, or hybrid)
  • Start date and the expected length of the supervision relationship
  • How sessions are scheduled, rescheduled, and what happens with no-shows

Roles & responsibilities

  • The supervisor's qualifications, credentials, and responsibilities
  • The supervisee's responsibilities and scope of practice
  • Caseload expectations and any limits while under supervision

Confidentiality & records

  • The limits of confidentiality within supervision
  • How supervision sessions and feedback are documented
  • How client information is presented and protected in supervision

Evaluation & feedback

  • How and how often feedback is given
  • The evaluation schedule and the criteria used
  • The remediation process if performance concerns arise

Emergencies & risk

  • Crisis and emergency procedures, step by step
  • How to reach the supervisor between sessions
  • Backup or coverage when the supervisor is unavailable

Ethics & legal

  • The ethics code(s) governing the work
  • Mandated-reporting expectations
  • Boundaries, dual relationships, and the grievance process

Hours & licensure

  • How supervised hours are tracked, reviewed, and signed off
  • The documentation the licensing board will require
  • Conditions for completion and for a supervisor endorsement

Ending the relationship

  • How either party may end supervision, and with what notice
  • Transfer of the supervisee to another supervisor if needed
  • Final documentation and hours verification at close-out

Suggested Resources by Topic Area

Starting points for deeper reading on the clinical topics covered across the Supervision Roadmap.

Ethics & legal responsibilities
  • Your profession's code of ethics (ACA, NASW, AAMFT, or APA)
  • Your state licensing board's rules and statutes
  • A structured ethical decision-making model
Assessment & diagnosis
  • The current DSM and its diagnostic criteria
  • Validated screening and assessment measures for your populations
Crisis intervention & risk
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  • A validated risk-screening tool (e.g., the Columbia Protocol)
  • The Safety Planning Intervention
Trauma-informed care
  • SAMHSA's principles of a trauma-informed approach
  • Evidence-based trauma treatments and their training pathways
Substance use & co-occurring disorders
  • SAMHSA treatment resources
  • The ASAM criteria for levels of care
  • Brief screening tools (e.g., AUDIT, DAST)
Cultural responsiveness
  • The Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies
  • Your profession's multicultural practice guidelines
Documentation & record-keeping
  • Your board's record-keeping requirements
  • HIPAA basics for clinical records
  • Payer documentation standards relevant to your setting
Telehealth practice
  • Your state's telehealth rules and your board's guidance
  • Platform security and HIPAA-compliant tools
Supervision practice
  • Best-practice supervision guidelines for your profession
  • A supervision competency framework
Licensure & exam preparation
  • Your state board's application instructions
  • Your licensing exam (NCMHCE/NCE, ASWB, AMFTRB, or EPPP) and study resources

These references are a general starting point, not legal or licensing advice. Requirements vary by state, license type, and board — always confirm the specifics with your state's licensing authority.