Missouri LAMSW Requirements & Hours Tracker

Licensure as a Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (LAMSW) in Missouri is governed by Missouri statutes (Chapter 337) and the State Committee for Social Workers’ regulations (20 CSR 2263). What follows organizes those legal requirements into a practical step‑by‑step guide, with attention to the exact types and amounts of hours the committee requires.

1. What the LAMSW License Authorizes

Missouri defines an “advanced macro social worker” as practicing at the systems and community level—community and organizational systems, policy, administration, planning, program development, research, advocacy, community organization, and related indirect nonclinical services.(revisor.mo.gov)

Key statutory points:

LAMSW practice centers on macro‑level activities such as:
- case management
- information and referral
- nonclinical assessments
- outcome evaluation and research
- mediation
- nonclinical supervision and consultation
- expert testimony, education, advocacy, social planning and policy development
- community organization and administration of policies and programs(revisor.mo.gov)
A LAMSW may not:
- treat mental or emotional disorders,
- provide psychotherapy without the direct supervision of a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or
- diagnose a mental disorder.(revisor.mo.gov)

In other words, this license is designed for high‑level, nonclinical macro practice rather than psychotherapy.

2. Baseline Eligibility

2.1 Required Degree

Missouri statute §337.645(1) (effective August 28, 2025) requires that an applicant for LAMSW must show:(revisor.mo.gov)

Either:
- a master’s degree in social work from a program:
  - accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or
  - specifically recognized and approved by the Committee under its rules,
Or:
- a doctorate in social work from a school the Committee accepts.

In practice, this means an MSW or DSW/PhD in social work from a CSWE‑accredited or committee‑recognized program.

2.2 Age and Legal Status / Background

The same statute also requires that the applicant:(revisor.mo.gov)

is at least 18 years old;
is a U.S. citizen or legal resident alien; and
has no final conviction or plea (guilty or nolo contendere) for an offense directly related to the occupation, as defined in §324.012, regardless of whether a sentence was imposed.

On top of that, regulations require:

Fingerprint‑based Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI background check, submitted through the state’s approved vendor (currently IdentoGo/MACHS).(law.cornell.edu)

3. The Supervised Experience Requirement: Hours, Type of Work, and Time Frame

3.1 Total Number and Type of Hours

Missouri does not split LAMSW hours into separate “direct” and “supervision” buckets (such as “1,500 direct + 1,500 supervised”). Instead, the statute specifies a single pool of supervised advanced macro hours:

At least 3,000 hours of “supervised advanced macro experience”
Completed with a “qualified advanced macro supervisor” as defined in §337.600
Over no less than 24 months and no more than 48 consecutive calendar months.(revisor.mo.gov)

So, in Missouri terms, the core requirement is:

3,000 hours of supervised advanced macro social work experience in 24–48 continuous months, under a qualified advanced macro supervisor.

There is no statutory sub‑requirement such as “X hours of face‑to‑face client contact” versus “Y hours of administration/policy.” What matters is that the hours qualify as advanced macro social work and are under proper supervision.

3.2 What Counts as “Advanced Macro” Hours

Because the statute ties the experience to “advanced macro” practice, the definition of that practice is important. Under §337.600 and §337.600(13), macro practice includes:(revisor.mo.gov)

Community and organizational systems work
Systemic and macro‑level (indirect, nonclinical) services
Case management, information and referral
Nonclinical assessments and counseling
Outcome evaluation and research
Mediation
Nonclinical supervision and consultation
Expert testimony and education
Advocacy, social planning and policy development
Community organization
Development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities

To be counted toward the LAMSW requirement, hours should fall within these macro‑level functions, not clinical psychotherapy or diagnosis.

3.3 Extra Hours and the 4,000‑Hour Recognition

The current statute also includes a recognition for applicants who go beyond the minimum:(revisor.mo.gov)

If you complete at least 4,000 hours of supervised advanced macro experience with a qualified advanced macro supervisor within the same 24–48 month window, you:
- are still eligible to apply at 3,000 hours, and
- receive a certificate from the Committee acknowledging completion of the additional hours.

This certificate does not change the licensure threshold (still 3,000 hours) but formally recognizes the extended supervised macro practice.

3.4 How the Committee Calculates Hours

On its supervision page, the Committee explains its internal formula for tallying supervised experience:

“Calculation of supervision hours. Number of months x 4.2 x number of hours worked per week.”(pr.mo.gov)

This is used to verify that your accumulated work meets the required number of supervised hours over time.

4. Supervisor Requirements and Supervision Structure

4.1 “Qualified Advanced Macro Supervisor” – Statutory Definition

Section 337.600(17) defines a “qualified advanced macro supervisor” as a licensed social worker who either:(revisor.mo.gov)

Meets the criteria of a qualified clinical supervisor, or
Is a licensed advanced macro social worker who:
- has practiced in the relevant field of social work for at least five years as a licensed social worker;
- has successfully completed at least 16 hours of supervisory training from ASWB, NASW, an accredited university, or another program the Committee approves (training content must meet Committee standards); and
- has met all requirements in §§337.600–337.689 and related rules.

4.2 Committee Rule on “Acceptable Supervisors” and Frequency of Supervision

Committee regulation 20 CSR 2263‑2.031 further clarifies “acceptable supervisors” and their responsibilities. Among other points:(law.cornell.edu)

An acceptable supervisor:
- must hold an appropriate Missouri social work license (bachelor, master, clinical, or advanced macro, depending on the situation),
- must have five years of post‑licensure experience, and
- must complete a 16‑hour continuing education course in supervision covering specified content areas (supervisory relationship, supervisee practice, professional responsibility, etc.).
A LAMSW may supervise LAMSW or LBSW independent practice registrants; an LCSW may also supervise LAMSW candidates.(law.cornell.edu)
The supervisor may not be a relative of the supervisee.
Regarding supervision frequency:
- There must be at least two hours of individual face‑to‑face supervision every two weeks;
- These hours can be consolidated into four hours every four weeks;
- These supervision hours are counted within the total supervised hours required for licensure.

5. Exam Requirement and When You Can Take It

5.1 Required Exam

Missouri requires LAMSW applicants to pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist Examination:(law.cornell.edu)

Committee rule 20 CSR 2263‑2.050 lists the required exams and specifies:
- For the Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker – Advanced Generalist examination, an exam taken before completion of at least 2,250 hours and 18 months of supervised work experience is not acceptable.

5.2 Practical Implication

You cannot sit for the Advanced Generalist exam until:
- you have at least 2,250 of your 3,000 supervised hours completed, and
- at least 18 months of that supervised practice have elapsed.
The Committee must approve you to sit for the exam; ASWB then handles registration and administration.(law.cornell.edu)

6. Other Regulatory Requirements Tied to the Application

In addition to hours and exam, the Committee’s application rule (20 CSR 2263‑2.050) requires:(law.cornell.edu)

Completed application form for LCSW/LAMSW (the same primary application is used; you mark the license sought).(pr.mo.gov)
Official transcripts sent directly from your social work program.
Attestation of Supervised Experience form(s), submitted directly by your supervisor(s).
Documentation of suicide‑related training:
- Proof of 2 hours of suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training taken within two years before application.
Verification of exam score sent directly from ASWB to the Committee.
Proof of fingerprint submission for both state and FBI background checks.
Any required affidavits and court documents if you have “yes” answers to legal/disciplinary questions.

The application is not considered “officially filed” until all required items and fees are received and the Committee deems it complete.(law.cornell.edu)

7. Step‑by‑Step Pathway to LAMSW in Missouri

Putting the statutory and regulatory pieces together, the typical sequence is:

Step 1 – Earn Your Social Work Degree

Complete an MSW or doctorate in social work from a CSWE‑accredited or committee‑recognized program.(revisor.mo.gov)

Step 2 – Obtain Your LMSW (Master‑Level) License

Apply for and obtain a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license in Missouri, which allows you to practice master‑level social work under supervision.
Under §337.643, an LMSW can perform some functions reserved for clinical or advanced macro practice for up to 48 consecutive months, under supervision and strictly for the purpose of qualifying for LCSW or LAMSW licensure.(law.justia.com)

Step 3 – Register Supervision and Begin Supervised Advanced Macro Experience

Arrange supervision with a qualified advanced macro supervisor (often a LAMSW or LCSW who meets the statutory and regulatory criteria).(revisor.mo.gov)
Register your supervision with the Committee using their Registration of Supervision / Change of Status forms and follow their logging procedures (Record of Supervision Log, Annual Progress Reports).(pr.mo.gov)
Ensure your actual job duties are primarily macro‑level (policy, administration, planning, community organization, etc.), so your hours clearly qualify as “supervised advanced macro experience.”

Step 4 – Accumulate the Required Supervised Hours

Work in macro‑level social work roles under registered supervision until you have at least:
- 3,000 hours of supervised advanced macro experience, and
- at least 24 months (2 years) of such supervised practice, but not more than 48 consecutive months.(revisor.mo.gov)
Maintain ongoing supervision:
- Minimum 2 hours of individual face‑to‑face supervision every 2 weeks, or 4 hours consolidated every 4 weeks, as per 20 CSR 2263‑2.031.(law.cornell.edu)

If you exceed the minimum and complete 4,000 supervised hours during the same 24–48 month window, you remain eligible after 3,000 hours and will receive a certificate recognizing the extra hours from the Committee.(revisor.mo.gov)

Step 5 – Take the ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam

Once you have at least 2,250 hours and 18 months of supervised experience, the Committee may approve you to sit for the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam.(law.cornell.edu)
Register and test through ASWB; your passing score is sent directly to the Committee.(law.cornell.edu)

Step 6 – Complete Application for LAMSW Licensure

Submit a complete application packet including:(law.cornell.edu)

Completed Committee application (LCSW/LAMSW form, marked for LAMSW).
Official transcripts.
Supervisor Attestation of Supervised Experience and any required Annual Supervision Progress Reports.
Proof of:
- at least 3,000 hours of supervised advanced macro experience in 24–48 months,
- passing ASWB Advanced Generalist score,
- 2 hours of suicide‑related training,
- fingerprint‑based background checks.
Any additional documentation required if you have past legal/disciplinary issues.

Once the Committee verifies that you meet all four statutory criteria in §337.645(1)(1)–(4) and/or reciprocity criteria in §337.645(2), it “shall issue” the LAMSW license.(revisor.mo.gov)

8. Clarifying the “Type of Hours” Question Directly

Using your example framework:

Missouri does not require “1,500 hours of direct experience and 1,500 hours of supervised experience” for LAMSW.
Instead, the law requires one integrated block of:
- 3,000 hours of supervised advanced macro experience, in which:
  - the work itself must be macro‑level as defined in §337.600, and
  - the entire 3,000 hours are under qualified supervision (with defined supervision frequency and supervisor qualifications).(revisor.mo.gov)

The state does not further subdivide those 3,000 hours into separate categories (like “direct vs indirect” or “client contact vs administration”) beyond the requirement that they be advanced macro and supervised within the statutory timeframe.

9. Sources to Check Before You Apply

Because statutes and rules can change, it is wise to confirm details directly with official sources shortly before you apply:

Missouri Revisor of Statutes – §§337.600, 337.643, 337.645, 337.646.(revisor.mo.gov)
Missouri Code of State Regulations – 20 CSR 2263‑2.031 (supervisors) and 20 CSR 2263‑2.050 (application requirements and exams).(law.cornell.edu)
Missouri State Committee for Social Workers website (forms, supervision information, and current fees).(pr.mo.gov)

These are the authorities the Committee will use in evaluating a LAMSW application.