§2724. Qualification; certified social worker

A. No individual shall be eligible for certification by the board as a certified social worker unless the individual:

(1) Is of good moral character and whose screening for criminal history pursuant to R.S. 37:2710 contains no disqualifying information.

(2) Holds a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work.

B. The board may issue a social worker certificate to an individual who has completed all requirements for certification as a certified social worker. The individual may hold the certificate for no more than three years from the issuance of the original certificate, and the individual shall take an examination approved by the board within the first six months after certification and annually for the next two and a half years or until they have achieved a passing score.

C. An individual certified as a certified social worker may engage in advanced social work practice based on the application of social work theory, knowledge, ethics, and methods to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The certified social worker practice requires the application of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills which include prevention or intervention, or both, service or treatment planning and evaluation, case management, information and referral, counseling, employee assistance services, addiction services, advocacy, teaching, research, supervision, consultation, community organization, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities. A social worker certified at the certified social worker level may practice clinical social work and psychotherapy within an agency under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. A certified social worker may work as an employee only in an agency setting, notwithstanding the definition of "agency" as defined in R.S. 37:2703(1) or the requirement for employment in an agency setting provided in this Subsection.

Acts 2010, No. 880, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.