90B-7. Titles and qualifications for certificates and licenses.

(a) Each person desiring to obtain a certificate or license from the Board shall make application to the Board upon such forms and in such manner as the Board shall prescribe, together with the required application fee established by the Board.

(b) The Board shall issue a certificate as "Certified Social Worker" to an applicant who meets the following qualifications:

(1) Has a bachelors degree in a social work program from a college or university having a social work program accredited or admitted to candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education for undergraduate curricula.

(2) Has passed the Board examination for the certification of persons in this classification.

(c) The Board shall issue a certificate as "Certified Master Social Worker" to an applicant who meets the following qualifications:

(1) Has a masters or doctoral degree in a social work program from a college or university having a social work program approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

(2) Has passed the Board examination for the certification of persons in this classification.

(d) The Board shall issue a license as a "Licensed Clinical Social Worker" to an applicant who meets the following qualifications:

(1) Holds or qualifies for a current certificate as a Certified Master Social Worker.

(2) Shows to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she has had two years of clinical social work experience with appropriate supervision in the field of specialization in which the applicant will practice.

(3) Has passed the Board examination for the certification of persons in this licensure.

(e) The Board shall issue a certificate as a "Certified Social Work Manager" to an applicant who meets the following qualifications:

(1) Holds or qualifies for a current certificate as a Certified Social Worker.

(2) Shows to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she has had two years of experience in an administrative setting with appropriate supervision and training.

(3) Has passed the Board examination for the certification of persons in this classification.

(f) The Board may issue an associate license in clinical social work to a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in a social work program from a college or university having a social work program approved by the Council on Social Work Education and desires to be licensed as a clinical social worker. The associate license may not be issued for a period exceeding two years and the person issued the associate license must practice under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or a Board-approved alternate. Notwithstanding G.S. 90B-6(g), an associate licensee shall pass the qualifying clinical examination prescribed by the Board within two years to be eligible for renewal of the associate license. The associate licensee shall complete all requirements for licensure within three renewal cycles, or a total of six years, unless otherwise directed by the Board.