Subd. 1. Supervisors licensed as social workers.

1. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), to be eligible to provide supervision under this section, a social worker must attest, on a form provided by the board, that he or she has met the applicable licensure requirements specified in sections 148D.100 to 148D.115.
2. (b) If the board determines that supervision is not obtainable from an individual meeting the requirements specified in paragraph (a), the board may approve an alternate supervisor pursuant to subdivision 2.

Subd. 2. Alternate supervisors.

1. (a) The board may approve an alternate supervisor if:

   1. (1) the board determines that supervision is not obtainable pursuant to paragraph (b);
   2. (2) the licensee requests in the supervision plan submitted pursuant to section 148D.125, subdivision 1, that an alternate supervisor conduct the supervision;
   3. (3) the licensee describes the proposed supervision and the name and qualifications of the proposed alternate supervisor; and
   4. (4) the requirements of paragraph (d) are met.

2. (b) The board may determine that supervision is not obtainable if:

   1. (1) the licensee provides documentation as an attachment to the supervision plan submitted pursuant to section 148D.125, subdivision 1, that the licensee has conducted a thorough search for a supervisor meeting the applicable licensure requirements specified in sections 148D.100 to 148D.115;
   2. (2) the licensee demonstrates to the board's satisfaction that the search was unsuccessful; and
   3. (3) the licensee describes the extent of the search and the names and locations of the persons and organizations contacted.

3. (c) The following are not grounds for a determination that supervision is unobtainable:

   1. (1) obtaining a supervisor who meets the requirements of subdivision 1 would present the licensee with a financial hardship;
   2. (2) the licensee is unable to obtain a supervisor who meets the requirements of subdivision 1 within the licensee's agency or organization and the agency or organization will not allow outside supervision; or
   3. (3) the specialized nature of the licensee's practice requires supervision from a practitioner other than an individual licensed as a social worker.

4. (d) An alternate supervisor must:

   1. (1) be an unlicensed social worker who is employed in, and provides the supervision in, a setting exempt from licensure by section 148D.065, and who has qualifications equivalent to the applicable requirements specified in sections 148D.100 to 148D.115; or

   2. (2) be a licensed marriage and family therapist or a mental health professional as established by section 245.462, subdivision 18, or 245.4871, subdivision 27, or an equivalent mental health professional, as determined by the board, who is licensed or credentialed by a state, territorial, provincial, or foreign licensing agency.

      In order to qualify to provide clinical supervision of a licensed graduate social worker or licensed independent social worker engaged in clinical practice, the alternate supervisor must be a mental health professional as established by section 245.462, subdivision 18, or 245.4871, subdivision 27, or an equivalent mental health professional, as determined by the board, who is licensed or credentialed by a state, territorial, provincial, or foreign licensing agency.