Social Work Practice Act Changes — Benefits for Students & Educators
Changes effective August 1, 2020
New legislation benefits social workers by reducing unnecessary licensing barriers while still maintaining standards, improving license mobility, creating more flexibility for applicants and licensees, and integrating increased use of technology.
Key Licensing Changes
• LICSW 360 Clinical Clock Hour Requirement:
- Increased number of Continuing Education (CE) clock hours from 90 to 120 out of 360
- All 120 CE clock hours can be earned through independent learning
- Removed (CE Provider) post-test requirement for clock hours completed through CE
• Visiting Educator Temporary License: Repealed temporary license provision for educators residing outside the United States to teach social work in a Minnesota university for 12 months or less.
• Licensing by Endorsement: Simplified and expedited licensure process for individuals currently licensed in another state by accepting license from other states.
• License Renewal: Removed requirements to send renewal notices by US mail and print paper license cards.
• Emeritus Active Alternate License Status: For semi-retired social workers, increased paid social work practice from 240 hours to 500 hours to provide licensing supervision, consultation, and present CE.
Key Continuing Education (CE) Changes:
• Increased number of CE hours at renewal allowed via independent learning from 15 CE hours to 50% of required CE hours
• Reduced number of clinical content CE hours at renewal for LICSW from 24 to 12
• Clarified definition of social work ethics CE hours to include cultural awareness and social diversity
Key Board Member Qualification Changes:
• Expanded qualification of “expertise in communities of color” to include “underrepresented community” promoting diversity and inclusivity
• Simplified complex license type and practice setting restrictions enabling qualified people to serve
Details on new 2020 legislation at the Board’s website
Benefits for licensed social workers:
• Responded to workforce shortages and increased access to qualified providers
• Easier to understand, plain language, common sense regulation
• Eliminated obsolete, paper-dependent methods that cause processing delays
• Increased opportunity for CE independent learning to reduce cost and improve access
Benefits for students:
• Removed limit on number of times applicants can examine
• Allows CE completed under temporary license for new graduates to count toward requirements for permanent license
• ASWB exam only allowed 6 months prior to graduation
Federal Licensure Disclosure Mandate Effective July 1, 2020
Effective July 1, 2020, U. S. Dept of Education federal regulations require all higher education institutions receiving federal financial aid to disclose information about degree programs and students’ eligibility for professional licensure. Postsecondary education programs must determine whether their curriculum meets the educational requirements of every state for a specific professional license. Programs accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) are likely to meet the educational requirements for social work licensure, as most states identify CSWE degree programs as meeting social work licensure education requirements.
ASWB can provide assistance with this mandate:
- Self-service resources to educational programs: educational requirements for each category of licensure and licensing and regulations database by state
- Fee-based consultation services: provide consultation services to help schools gather the needed information efficiently
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