Update: October 29, 2021 – The BBS announced today that have extended the waiver for face-to-face supervision through December 31, 2021.
Original Post
The short answer is yes. During the COVID-19 pandemic the Board of Behavioral Sciences issued (and extended multiple times) a waiver for the face-to-face supervision requirement. This waiver has allowed Associates in any setting (including private practice) to count supervision via two-way, real-time videoconferencing. In addition, it allowed Practicum students to count telehealth hours toward their required hours of counseling.
We have heard multiple reports indicating that it is highly unlikely that this waiver will be extended beyond the current expiration date of August 31, 2021. When this waiver expires (whether on August 31 or at a later date), Associates in for-profit settings (including private practices) will once again be required to receive face-to-face supervision on a weekly basis in order to claim hours of experience. Associates in non-profit settings will still be allowed to receive supervision via videoconferencing. The law does not address supervision via videoconferencing for practicum students.
View Waiver on the BBS website