ACS Requirements

Requirements for Standard Entry to Certification: NCC, Licensed or Certified Mental Health Provider, Licensed or Certified Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Related Educator, or Mental Health Related Doctoral Candidate Educational Training: Minimum of a master’s degree in a mental health field Specialized Training: Must document either A or B A. A graduate course in clinical supervision, Or B. a total of 30 contact hours of workshop training in clinical supervision Mental Health Related Experience: Minimum of 3 years of post-master’s degree experience in mental health services, with a minimum of 1,500 hrs. direct service with clients. Supervision Experience: Must have provided a minimum of 100 hrs. of clinical supervision of mental health services with supervisees along with a minimum of 20 hrs. of supervision-of-supervision OR an endorsement from a mental health professional attesting to the applicant's supervisory activity. Self-Assessment and Professional Disclosure: Submit a Professional Disclosure statement which assesses the understanding of multiple responsibilities of clinical supervision. Requirements for Alternative Entry to Certification: Steps #1, 2, and 6 as outlined above and meet at least ONE of the following criteria: Mental health professionals who have provided at least 3 yrs and 500 hrs. of experience as a clinical supervisor. Mental health related educators who can document full time employment teaching in an education program at a regionally-accredited institution for a minimum of 2 semesters. Teaching assignments must have included courses of practicum or internship supervision, or related courses that primarily require the educator to perform the role of clinical supervisor. Doctoral graduates or doctoral candidates in the FINAL semester of their doctoral studies (from a CACREP accredited program), who possess a Master's degree in a mental health field and who can document teaching assignments in practicum or internship supervision for a minimum of 2 semesters. In addition, doctoral graduates or candidates MUST also provide evidence of completion of a clinical supervision graduate course. Mental health professionals who possess a recognized national or state credential in clinical supervision.