ISSUE NUMBER 6 • SUMMER 2020

BOSW Success at the 2020 Legislature!

Believe it or not, even with the Minnesota Legislature’s work being suspended indefinitely mid-session due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state of emergency, BOSW changes to the Social Work Practice Act were enacted and signed into law by Governor Walz on May 12, 2020.  And not only were the changes enacted, the legislation received unanimous approval in both House and Senate Committee hearings, and in the floor votes in both the House and the Senate!  On top of that, these improvements to the Social Work Practice Act were officially supported by seven professional social work organizations!  The BOSW is extremely grateful for support from the profession, stakeholders, the Legislature, and Governor Walz.

Why did the BOSW propose these changes?

The goal is to create common sense regulatory reform and “relevant regulation”, and to be responsive to stakeholders.  The changes include positive benefits for citizens, the workforce, licensees and applicants, and the BOSW. 

The changes benefit 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.  Changes improve the statute by simplifying and reorganizing sections, improving operational efficiencies, and modernizing paper-dependent, obsolete methods that cause delays in processing.  This new legislation is the result of two years of comprehensive review of 20 sections of BOSW Practice Act by the BOSW, stakeholders, and staff. 

When is the new law effective, what will change, and what is the impact to applicants and licensees?

The effective date of all changes is August 1, 2020.  Changes and improvements were made to:

• Applications, licensing, license renewal
• Continuing education
• Board member qualifications

Visit the New 2020 Legislation page at the Board’s website for detailed information.

Applications for Licensure [New requirements apply to all “open/in-process” applications as of August 1, 2020]

• No changes to existing social work license types or scopes of practice
• BSW and MSW students must take the ASWB examination no more than 6 months prior to graduation
• Removes the limit on the number of times an applicant can take the licensing exam without special permission from the BOSW
• LICSW applications by examination “360 clinical clock hour” academic requirement:
  • Increases number of clock hours allowed via continuing education (CE) from 90 to 120
  • All 120 CE hours may be completed via CE independent learning
• For seasoned professionals applying in MN who are fully vetted and licensed in other states, licensure by endorsement is simplified and streamlined

License Renewal Notices

• License renewal notices will be sent electronically via email
• Beginning in fall of 2020 mailing paper license renewal postcards via U.S. Mail will be discontinued

License Renewal Cards

• Primary source verification of licensure will be provided using “Public License Lookup” online service
• Beginning August 1 mailing paper license/renewal cards via U.S. Mail will be discontinued 

Alternate License Status (Temporary Leave, Emeritus Inactive, and Emeritus Active)

• Licensees may only change license status at time of license renewal [change applies to applications received on or after August 1]
• Reactivation from alternate license status to current license status [changes apply to “open/in-process” applications as of August 1]
  • CE requirement changed to “at least” 2 CE hours in social work ethics
  • Requires completion of the Board’s “know your licensing law” online learning service
• Emeritus Active (EA) License Status [changes apply to all current EA licenses on or after August 1]
  • Maximum number of hours for paid social work practice increased from 240 to 500 per year for:
    1) providing licensing supervision, 2) consultation, and 3) presenting continuing education

Continuing Education [Changes apply to all licensees beginning August 1]

• Reduces number of LICSW license clinical content CE hours at renewal from 24 to 12 hours
• Increases number of CE hours allowed via CE independent learning to 50% of required CE hours

Temporary Licenses

• Allows CE hours earned while holding temporary license to count toward CE requirement at first license renewal [as of August 1]
• Allows “persons licensed in another jurisdiction/without permanent MN license” to practice in Minnesota on a temporary license for 6 months once in a 12-month period
• Repeals the “teacher” temporary license (applicant whose permanent residence is outside the USA and teaching social work in an academic institution in Minnesota not to exceed 12 months)

Board Member Qualifications

• Maintains 15-member board and changes number of required license types for licensed professionals to reflect current license data:
  • 5 public members
  • 3 LSW
  • 2 LICSW
  • 2 LGSW OR LISW
  • 3 members any license type
• Updates social work practice setting requirements to better reflect diversity of workforce
• Adds “underrepresented community” qualification, in addition to current “community of color” qualification, to ensure more inclusive board member representation, including communities of color, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities

How do I learn more?

• Attend the NASW-MN sponsored event on July 14, 2020 via Go To Webinar: MN’s 2020 Social Work Licensure Laws: What’s Changed, What’s New, and What You Need to Know
• Review detailed information and watch for updates on the New 2020 Legislation page on the BOSW website
• Subscribe to Licensing News & Updates to stay informed via email

Thanks for your support!

Special thanks to Senators Michelle Benson and Andrew Mathews, and Representatives Rena Moran, Heather Edelson, and Kelly Morrison, who championed our bills through the final unanimous vote on the House floor on May 9!  Special thanks also to Governor Walz, stakeholders, and the seven professional social work organizations who publicly supported the BOSW legislation, including BOSW Advisory Committee, MN Coalition of Licensed Social Workers, MN Association of Home Care Social Workers, MN Conference on Social Work Education, MN Nursing Home Social Workers Association, MN School Social Workers Association, MN Society for Clinical Social Work, National Association of Social Workers – MN Chapter.  Special thanks also to the BOSW Board Members and Staff for their dedication and commitment to create relevant regulation!