Exemptions may be granted to non-social work degree holders who are employed with the job title “”social worker”” or any derivative thereof. Those granted a Certificate of Exemption by the Board would be allowed to remain in their social work positions without a social work license. Persons may apply for a Certificate of Exemption within six (6) months of the promulgation of the rules and regulations. The Certificate of Exemption shall be effective indefinitely throughout the course of the person’s professional career.

(a) A Certificate of Exemption is granted to any person
employed with the job title “”social worker”” or any derivative

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thereof who possesses a Bachelor’ s, Master’s, or PhD level degree that is not in the field of social work as of the date of the enactment of this Act, but if he wishes to continue employment with the job title “”social worker””, he may obtain a Certificate of Exemption from the Board by providing the following:
(1) a written request for exemption from licensure; (2) a written declaration that they are individuals m
good standing based on satisfactory employment performance evaluations and with no ethical complaints in the course of their employment with the job title “”social worker””;

(3) sign a declaration statement that they will abide by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics; and

(4) submit three (3) letters of verification; one (1) from their current employer acknowledging that he/she is an individual in good standing, and is highly recommended for employment with the job title, “”social worker””.

(b) Licensure shall not be required of:

(1) any licensed person doing work within the scope of practice or duties of the person’s profession that overlaps with the practice of social work ; provided the person does not purport to be a social worker;

(2) any person employed by a federal, state, or government agency in a social worker position, but only at those times when that person is carrying out the duties and responsibilities as a social worker (i.e. social workers responding to natural disasters) for up to six (6) months, or extension as certified by the Board, and holds a social work license in another U.S. state or jurisdiction;

(3) any student enrolled in an accredited educational institution in a recognized program of study leading toward attainment of a degree in social work;

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provided, that the student’s activities and services are part of a prescribed course of study supervised by the educational institution and the student is identified by an appropriate title such as “”social work student””, “”social work intern””, or any other title which clearly indicates the student’s training status;

(4) any person who is a member of a mental health professional not requiring licensure; provided, that the person functions only within the person’s professional capacities; and provided further that the person does not purport to be a social worker;

(5) any person teaching, lecturing, consulting, or engaging in research in social work insofar as the activities are performed as part of or are dependent upon employment in a college or university; provided, that the person shall not engage in the practice of social work outside the responsibilities of the person’s employment;

(6) any person who is a duly recognized member of the clergy; provided, that the person functions only within the person’s capacities as a member of the clergy; and provided further that the person does not purport to be a social worker;

(7) any person who is obtaining supervised clinical experience for licensure as a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or as another licensed professional; provided, that the person’s title indicates a trainee status; and provided further that the person does not purport to be a social worker;

(8) any person in the process of obtaining three thousand (3,000) hours of post Master’s clinical social work experience under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or an individual identified in § 122302 to qualify for a license as a licensed clinical social worker; and provided that the person calls oneself a clinical social worker intern and is supervised while performing clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy.

SOURCE: Added by P.L. 31-250:1 (Dec. 26, 2012). First paragraph

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amended by P.L. 32-167:2 (June 24, 2014), and P.L. 33-119:2 (Feb. 3,
2016). First paragraph amended by P.L. 34-156:2 (Dec. 28, 2018).