Supervisory Relationship

A supervisory relationship is the formal, documented arrangement between a fieldwork trainee and a qualified supervisor that authorizes the trainee to accrue fieldwork hours. This relationship must be established before any fieldwork hours can count toward certification. Hours logged without an active supervisory relationship in place are not valid, regardless of the work performed.

Establishing a supervisory relationship typically involves a written supervision contract or agreement that outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and logistics of the supervision arrangement. This document usually covers the frequency and format of supervision meetings, how observations will be conducted, communication expectations, and the process for resolving disagreements. Both parties sign the agreement, and it becomes part of your fieldwork documentation.

Supervisory relationships can change during your fieldwork. You might switch supervisors when you change practicum sites, add a second supervisor if you work at multiple locations, or transition to a new supervisor if your current one becomes unavailable. Each new relationship requires its own documentation, and there should be no gap between the end of one relationship and the start of another if you want continuous hour accrual. Planning these transitions in advance prevents lost time and ensures every hour you work can count.