Recently Graduated and Overwhelmed by Licensure Rules? You’re Not Alone.
First of all, congrats to everyone who graduated. Graduating is a huge milestone—and it often comes with a wave of confusion about supervision, hours, continuing education, and timelines. If you’re feeling anxious about “doing something wrong,” this FAQ is for you.
Let’s slow it down and answer some of the most common questions new clinicians ask.
Frequently Asked Questions for Recent Graduates
Do supervisors have to be in the same location as me?
Not necessarily. What matters most is that your supervisor is reachable and appropriately credentialed under Georgia’s rules. Supervision can often happen remotely, as long as it meets board requirements.
If you’re unsure, always double-check the current board rules—but location alone is usually not the deciding factor.
Translation: supervision is about access and compliance, not geography.
What if it takes me a while to get all my hours? Am I in trouble?
No. You typically have up to 60 months (this may change when new rules come out) to complete your required hours. Taking longer may delay full licensure, but it does not harm your license as long as you remain compliant.
This is especially important to hear if life, finances, health, or job availability slow things down.
You are not behind. You are just on your timeline.
Should I be doing CEs if I’m not licensed yet?
Short answer: No.
Continuing education is tied to license renewal, if there is no license to renew, then CEs are not required by the Board of Georgia. Of course, CEs are more than just licensure renewal, it’s important for not only client well being as well as clinician well being. But as far as using CEs towards licensure renewal, timing matters. For example, if your APC was issued February 2026, you would not need CEs until October 1, 2026—and any CEs completed before that window typically would not count for your 2028 renewal.
If you’re not licensed yet, it’s usually best to save your time, energy, and money. Try to find free or low cost, foundational CEs to build your knowledge until you are issued a license, TICE could be a good fit as they offer a low cost cohort.
Should I be doing supervision if I’m not working?
Generally, no. Supervision is meant to support active clinical work. If you’re not seeing clients, supervision hours usually won’t count—and paying for it can create unnecessary financial strain.
Similarly:
Supervision doesn’t count if you’re not working
Work doesn’t count if you’re not receiving supervision
Both pieces have to be in place at the same time for hours to matter.
A Gentle Reminder for New Clinicians
A lot of early-career overwhelm comes from trying to do everything at once—before it’s actually required.
You don’t need to:
Rush CEs
Stack supervision prematurely
Panic about timelines
You do need:
Clear information
Reasonable pacing
Reassurance that you’re not messing this up
Licensure is a process, not a race.
Want Ongoing Clarity Without the Panic?
We created our CE resources and cohort to help clinicians—especially newer ones—understand requirements before they become stressful. No urgency. No pressure. Just clear, up-to-date guidance when you need it.
👉 Explore our free resources or learn about the T2T membership
Friendly Disclaimer (Because We’re Therapists)
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is meant to help you understand the general landscape—not to replace guidance from your supervisor, site director, or licensing board.
Rules can vary by license type, setting, and timing, so always confirm details with your specific supervisor and/or director before making decisions. And while you’re at it, it’s okay to politely ask for the receipts—meaning citations from the actual rules and regulations. Good supervision welcomes clarity.
Use this as a starting point, not the final word. When in doubt, check the source- Georgia Rules Link
