During the pandemic the BBS has repeatedly renewed a waiver that allowed Associates in any setting (including private practice) to count supervision via two-way, real-time videoconferencing. The current waiver is set to expire on October 31, and it is highly unlikely that it will be further extended.
What does this mean? If you are currently receiving remote supervision in a private practice setting, you should prepare to receive face-to-face supervision starting on November 1, 2021.
Could another extension be granted? Yes it is possible, but we are hearing that another extension is highly unlikely.
Are there any other options the BBS is pursuing? There is interest in pursuing legislation that would permanently allow remote supervision in all work settings, conditioned upon an initial meeting between supervisor and supervisee in person. However, even if the board agrees and pursues this, and is successful with the legislature, such a new rule likely wouldn’t take effect until January 1, 2023.