From May 23, 1977, until November 24, 1978, the Board of Social Work Examiners shall receive applications from individuals, such applications being duly notarized and sworn, which outline the applicant's eligibility for licensure under the criteria specified in either subdivision (1), (2), or (3) of this section, accompanied by an initial application fee of $50 in the form of a certified check made payable to the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners, and upon review and necessary verification of the applicant's sworn statement, said board shall issue a license as a "licensed bachelor social worker," a "licensed graduate social worker," or a "licensed certified social worker" to an applicant who meets the following requirements for a level of licensure; provided, that any person seeking licensure under this section shall make application within four months of the date he or she first becomes eligible for licensing under this section; and provided further, that such application is received by the board and such eligibility occurred within 18 months from May 23, 1977:

(1) Bachelor social worker: An applicant who holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and who satisfies the board that he or she is presently employed in a full-time social work position.

(2) Graduate social worker:

a. An applicant who holds a Master of Social Work or a Doctor of Social Work from a college or university approved or accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or

b. An applicant who has successfully completed one semester of social work education in a graduate school of social work approved or accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and who satisfies the board that he or she is and has been actively engaged, for at least five consecutive years of full-time employment, in the practice of social work.

(3) Certified social worker: An applicant who holds a Master of Social Work or a Doctor of Social Work from a college or university approved or accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and who is and has been actively engaged, for at least two consecutive years of full-time post-master or doctorate employment, in the practice of social work.