MN CSWE Program Educators News & Updates from Minnesota Board of Social Work

BOSW is proposing changes to the Social Work Practice Act—what does this mean for you?

Why is BOSW proposing changes?

• BOSW Strategic Plan identified “deep-dive” of Social Work Practice Act as key priority to ensure relevant regulation
• 15 years since last comprehensive review

What are the goals?

• Common sense and noncontroversial reform
• Address license mobility and workforce issues
• Reduce unnecessary licensing barriers
• Modernize and simplify regulations
• Improve operational efficiencies
• Incorporate technology changes
• Create more readable statute
• No fiscal impact

What are the proposed changes?

Technical and housekeeping + policy changes

Key Licensing Changes:

• LICSW 360 Clinical Clock Hour Requirement:
  • Increase allowed number of Continuing Education (CE) clock hours from 90 to 120 out of 360 and allow all 120 CE clock hours through independent learning
  • Remove post-test requirement for clock hours completed through CE
• Visiting Educator Temporary License: Repeal temporary license provision for educators who reside outside the United States and teach social work in a Minnesota university for 12 months or less, based on data that shows the provision is rarely used and to eliminate varying standards for educators
• Licensing by Endorsement: Simplify and expedite licensure process for individuals currently licensed in another state by recognizing consistent education and examination requirements across jurisdictions
• License Renewal: Repeal requirements to send renewal notices by US mail and print paper license cards
• Emeritus Active Alternate License Status: Increase paid social work practice from 240 hours to provide licensing supervision to 500 hours to provide licensing supervision, consultation, and presenting continuing education.

Key Continuing Education Changes:

• Increase number of CE hours allowed via independent learning from 15 hours to 50% of required CE hours
• Reduce number of clinical content CE hours for LICSW from 24 to 12
• Include cultural awareness and social diversity in definition of social work ethics CE hours

Key Board Member Qualification Changes:

• Expand current qualification of “expertise in communities of color” to include “underrepresented community” to promote diversity and inclusivity
• Simplify complex license type and practice settings which can prevent qualified people from serving

(Find the complete proposal including all changes and rationale at the Board’s website)

What are the benefits to licensed social workers?

• Respond to workforce shortages and increase access to qualified providers
• Easier to  understand, plain language, common sense regulation
• Eliminate obsolete, paper-dependent methods that cause processing delays
• Increase opportunity for CE independent learning to reduce cost and improve access

What are the specific benefits for students?

• Remove limit on number of times applicants can examine
• Allow Continuing Education (CE) completed under temporary license for students to count toward requirements for permanent license

How are stakeholders involved?

• Representatives from Board’s Advisory Committee appointed to Legislation & Rules Committee including:
  • National Association of Social Workers-MN Chapter
  • Coalition of Licensed Social Workers
  • Minnesota Conference on Social Work Education
• Invited stakeholder public comment and provided easy and transparent access to data via:
  • Quarterly Board newsletter and press releases to email subscribers
  • Public committee and board meetings and publicly posted meeting agendas and minutes
  • New dedicated 2020 Legislative Proposal Update page on Board website
• Committed to conversations with stakeholders to ensure noncontroversial proposal

How can you stay informed + get involved?

• Visit the new 2020 Legislative Proposal page on the Board’s website
• Sign up to receive Licensing News & Updates from the Board
• Provide comments via email at social.work@state.mn.us
• Follow the continuing work on the Social Work Practice Act at the Legislation & Rules Committee page on the Board’s website

Opportunity to Serve
as a BOSW Board Member

There are three Board member scheduled vacancies for terms ending January 6, 2020. Apply at the Secretary of State website and read the Board Member Vacancy Press Release for details.

Thank You Educators!

Extending a sincere thank you to MN CSWE educators for continuing to collaborate with the BOSW to schedule BOSW presentations on social work licensing and professional responsibilities for your graduating students. We truly appreciate our Minnesota CSWE programs commitment to integrate the value of licensing and professional development in the curriculum! 

We are also excited to announce new resources for students and educators that are in the works for 2020, including:

• Online video modules on topics like applying for a license, supervision, and more

• Student presentations via webinar to increase access and availability to the increasing number of CSWE accredited programs in Minnesota

Stay tuned and check the Students & Educators page on the Board's website for updates in 2020!

Stay Connected with BOSW!

Sign Up to Receive Board News

Click here to sign up to receive news and updates from the Board on important topics concerning social work regulation and practice in Minnesota.

Program educators, please share this newsletter with interested colleagues!

Attend a Public Board Meeting

Attending public board and committee meetings is a great way for you and your students to stay up-to-date with the Board. Find the public board and committee meeting schedule here and encourage your students to consider attending meetings! If you can't make it to a meeting, board and committee meeting minutes are posted on the Board's website. 

Social Work Licensing Resources for Students & Educators

Social work licensing resources for students and educators are available on the Students & Educators page on the Board's website.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) has created a short video outlining the steps for taking the ASWB exam. Click here to watch the video on ASWB's website and share with graduating students! 

Loan Forgiveness Program for Mental Health Professionals

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORPHC), Minnesota Department of Health, administers the program funded by the State of Minnesota authorizing the health professional loan forgiveness in both rural program and urban program.