VSCSW
10106-C Palace Way
Henrico, VA 23238
LCSW
AGENCY VS. NON-AGENCY PRACTICE
January 2014
Joseph G. Lynch LCSW, CSOTP
NASW-VA has suggested to the VBSW several items for consideration:
"… If the Board is open to it, I believe it would behoove us in Virginia to
consider an intrastate pact similar to nurses for those licensees. I know that
Maryland is interested in it as well. Also, along that line, you mentioned
removing the exemptions in our law meaning that even if you practice in an
agency or for the state you must be licensed. From our experiences with title
protection, this may be a difficult fight but… we should consider having at least
a multi-tiered licensing system where folks who work in an agency with no
intention of private practice can be licensed at a clinical level resulting in
reimbursement from an insurance company…"
(See Appendix D: Public Comments by Debra Riggs, NASW VA Executive
Director at the January 3, 2014 VBSW meeting)
Each of the items NASW-VA has identified is summarized below:
1) Licensure Compact for Licensed Clinical Social Workers in jurisdictions that are
contiguous to Virginia (similar to existing Nurse Licensure Compact)
2) Repeal of the Code of Virginia § 54.1-3701. Exemption from requirements of licensure.
3) Creating multi-tiered social work licensing to include a license for the practice of Clinical
Social Work that is restricted to agency based setting practice. The qualifications for this
license would be sufficient to acquire insurance company reimbursement.
Each of the three areas has implications for the practice of Clinical Social Work in Virginia
that will be addressed below:
1) Licensure Compact for Licensed Clinical Social Workers in
jurisdictions that are contiguous to Virginia.
The Nurse Licensure Compact was enacted by the Virginia General Assembly in 2003 to
be implemented January 1, 2005. In this mutual recognition model of multistate nursing
regulation, nurses who reside in other compact states will now have the “multistate
privilege to practice” in Virginia without having a license issued by the Virginia Board
of Nursing. http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/nursing_compact.htm
There could be great advantage to the Virginia workforce concerns if Licensed Clinical
Social Workers from contiguous jurisdictions could easily access employment in Virginia while
being licensed in their home jurisdiction.
The "pool" of potential social workers is enlarged while at the same time the risk that employment in
the other jurisdictions may look more favorable to Virginia LCSW's is a possibility. This option of
developing a Clinical Social Work Licensure Compact seems worth exploring now as it will surly take
some time to create the necessary steps to accomplish a Licensure Compact agreement with multiple
states.
2) Repeal of the Code of Virginia § 54.1-3701. Exemption from
requirements of licensure.
The Code of Virginia § 54.1-3701. Exemption from requirements of licensure, ( and the
related exemption law for Counseling and Psychology: § 54.1-3501. Exemption from
requirements of licensure and § 54.1-3601. Exemption from requirements of licensure) applies to
the Virginia Boards of Social Work, Counseling and Psychology. No other Health Regulatory
Board within the Department of Health Professions (DHP) allows for the practice of the health
profession without holding a valid license to practice that health profession (or being in a
supervised training experience working toward gaining that license). The 2011 Virginia General
Assembly passed and enacted a new social work law: the Code of Virginia 54.1-3709 Unlawful
designation as social worker that restricts the use of the title "Social Worker" to licensed persons
or persons who have received social work degrees from a CSWE accredited program who must
use the initials that are associated with the degree- for example BSWor MSW.
The passage §54.1-3709 raises the question: "Has §54.1-3701 now become moot?"
Predominantly §54.1-3709 says a person may not practice social work and use the title
"Social Worker" without being licensed. Other current social work statutes address the
requirement to be licensed in order to practice:
§ 54.1-3706. License required.
In order to engage in the practice of social work, it shall be necessary to hold a license.
2
Also "Clinical Social Work" and the "Practice of Social Work" are defined in current law:
§ 54.1-3700. Definitions.
"Clinical social worker" means a social worker who, by education and experience, is
professionally qualified at the autonomous practice level to provide direct diagnostic,
preventive and treatment services where functioning is threatened or affected by social
and psychological stress or health impairment.
"Practice of social work" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, families,
groups, organizations, governmental units, or the general public service which is guided
by special knowledge of social resources, social systems, human capabilities, and the
part conscious and unconscious motivation play in determining behavior. Any person
regularly employed by a licensed hospital or nursing home who offers or renders such
services in connection with his employment in accordance with patient care policies or
plans for social services adopted pursuant to applicable regulations when such services
do not include group, marital or family therapy, psychosocial treatment or other
measures to modify human behavior involving child abuse, newborn intensive care,
emotional disorders or similar issues, shall not be deemed to be engaged in the "practice
of social work." Subject to the foregoing, the disciplined application of social work
values, principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to, casework management
and supportive services, casework, group work, planning and community organization,
administration, consultation and education, and research.
The combination of statutes allow for § 54.1-3701. "Exemption from requirements of
licensure" to remain in place but require any person who qualifies for the exemption from
licensure requirement to not use the title "social worker." If the person wants to use the title
"social worker" then they are required to be licensed. The Department of Social Services has
decided to change job titles in order to comply with the statutes. See sample below:
22VAC40-670-10. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following
meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Human services field" means the field of social work family services and related
degrees, including counseling, gerontology, guidance and counseling, family and child
development, psychology, sociology, or other related degrees determined by the Division
of Human Resource Management Resources based on the similarity of the curriculum
and course content. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide information with the
application if the applicant wishes the course content and curriculum to be so evaluated.
"Social Work "Family Services Occupational Group" includes the following occupational
titles:
Social Work Family Services Supervisor;
Social Worker Family Services Specialist IV;
Social Worker Family Services Specialist III;
Social Worker Family Services Specialist II; and
Social Worker Family Services Specialist I.
3
Based on the successful legislative efforts to pass the title protection law "§54.1-3709 Unlawful
designation as social worker" there is no need to repeal § 54.1-3701. Exemption from requirements of
licensure.
3) Creating multi-tiered social work licensing to include a license
for the practice of Clinical Social Work that is restricted to agency
based setting practice. The qualifications for this license would be
sufficient to acquire insurance company reimbursement.
The Virginia Social Work statute, Code of Virginia Chapter 37 of Title 54.1 establishes a
licensing law that is a "Practice" law. This means that the Practice of Clinical Social Work is
regulated not only the title "social worker." The Virginia law is similar to the ASWB Model
Social Work Practice Act. The ASWB Act defines the practice of Clinical Social Work as:
Section 106. Practice of Clinical Social Work.
The practice of Clinical Social Work is a specialty within the practice of Master’s Social
Work and requires the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and
the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial
functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. The
practice of Clinical Social Work requires the application of specialized clinical
knowledge and advanced clinical skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and
treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions.
Treatment methods include the provision of individual, marital, couple, family and group
counseling and psychotherapy. The practice of Clinical Social Work may include private
practice and the provision of clinical supervision. (See Appendix B).
ASWB publishes a table comparing statutes, categories of license, and ASWB exam
required for 61 jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
(See ASWB http://www.aswb.org/licensees/about-licensing-and-regulation/). If Virginia were to consider
a multi-tiered license that included an agency only license for the practice of clinical social work
then it is reasonable to assume that one of the qualifications for that license would be passing the
ASWB clinical exam. Of the 61 ASWB jurisdictions there are only 4 that have more than one
category of license that requires taking the ASWB clinical exam. Those jurisdictions are
Colorado, Illinois, Maine and Missouri. A review of the statues from those states does not reveal
a separate agency only based clinical social work license (See Appendix C).
If the Commonwealth of Virginia is licensing and regulating the practice of clinical social work then it
is irrelevant in which setting the practice occurs. Whether it is agency based practice or non-agency
based practice it is all the practice of clinical social work and the same qualifications and standards must
apply.
4
The second suggestion was that the agency only practice license would be eligible for
insurance reimbursement. The statutes governing insurance are in a separate code section than
the statutes governing social work and fall outside the purview of the VBSW. Even with that
caveat in mind if the current LCSW license qualifies for insurance reimbursement then it seems
unlikely that any license that falls short of all of the requirements for the current LCSW license
will meet the qualifications for insurance reimbursement.
One of the issues that is related to clinical social work practice and insurance
reimbursement is the "standard of care." Standard of Care means:
“What an ordinary, reasonable, and prudent professional, with the same or similar
training, would have done under the same or similar circumstances.”
(Black’s Law Dictionary, St. Paul Minn., West Publishing Co. 1990)
The Standard of Care for Clinical Social Work Practice in Virginia is that the "ordinary,
reasonable, and prudent professional, with the same or similar training" would have an LCSW if
they were practicing Clinical Social Work. The agency based person is going to be held to the
same standard of care for providing clinical social work practice as the non-agency based person.
Insurance reimbursement for the practice of Clinical Social Work depends upon the social worker
meeting the same "standard of care" regardless of the setting being agency or non-agency based.
Any license that would be eligible for insurance reimbursement may not have any lower
qualifications than the current LCSW license.
CONCLUSIONS
 Exploring the idea of a multistate Clinical Social Work Licensure Compact has promise
for a possible positive impact on workforce concerns in Virginia and should be explored.
 Due to the successful passage of the Social Work title protection law there is no need to
repeal the exemptions statute. Those person who qualify for exemptions are prohibited
from using the title "social worker" without concurrenlty being licensed. If a person is in
an exempt setting and gaining their supervised experience for the LCSW license then
they can use titles to identify that they are in training.
 It appears there is no way to have an agency only Clinical Social Work practice license
that has lower qualifications than the current LCSW license and would meet the
requirements for insurance reimbursement in Virginia. The "Standard of Care" requires
that the Agency and Non-Agency Clinical Social Worker have the same qualifications.
The Social Work professional associations should advocate for Agency and Non-Agency
clients to receive the same quality of professional services and being an Agency client
should not mean lower standards for their care.
5
APPENDIX A
Code of Virginia 37 or Title 54.1
§ 54.1-3700. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Clinical social worker" means a social worker who, by education and experience, is
professionally qualified at the autonomous practice level to provide direct diagnostic, preventive
and treatment services where functioning is threatened or affected by social and psychological
stress or health impairment.
"Practice of social work" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, families, groups,
organizations, governmental units, or the general public service which is guided by special
knowledge of social resources, social systems, human capabilities, and the part conscious and
unconscious motivation play in determining behavior. Any person regularly employed by a
licensed hospital or nursing home who offers or renders such services in connection with his
employment in accordance with patient care policies or plans for social services adopted
pursuant to applicable regulations when such services do not include group, marital or family
therapy, psychosocial treatment or other measures to modify human behavior involving child
abuse, newborn intensive care, emotional disorders or similar issues, shall not be deemed to be
engaged in the "practice of social work." Subject to the foregoing, the disciplined application of
social work values, principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to, casework
management and supportive services, casework, group work, planning and community
organization, administration, consultation and education, and research.
(1976, c. 608, § 54-941; 1979, c. 398; 1981, c. 555; 1988, c. 765.)
§ 54.1-3706. License required.
In order to engage in the practice of social work, it shall be necessary to hold a license.
(1979, c. 408, § 54-943.1; 1988, c. 765.)
§ 54.1-3701. Exemption from requirements of licensure.
The requirements for licensure provided for in this chapter shall not be applicable to:
1. Persons who render services that are like or similar to those falling within the scope of the
classifications or categories in this chapter, so long as the recipients or beneficiaries of such
services are not subject to any charge or fee, or any financial requirement, actual or implied, and
the person rendering such service is not held out, by himself or otherwise, as a licensed
practitioner.
6
2. The activities or services of a student pursuing a course of study in social work in an
institution recognized by the Board for purposes of licensure upon completion of the course of
study or under the supervision of a practitioner licensed under this chapter; if such activities or
services constitute a part of his course of study and are adequately supervised.
3. The activities of rabbis, priests, ministers or clergymen of any religious denomination or sect
when such activities are within the scope of the performance of their regular or specialized
ministerial duties, and no separate charge is made or when such activities are performed, whether
with or without charge, for or under auspices or sponsorship, individually or in conjunction with
others, of an established and legally cognizable church, denomination or sect, and the person
rendering service remains accountable to its established authority.
4. Persons employed as salaried employees or volunteers of the federal government, the
Commonwealth, a locality, or of any agency established or funded, in whole or part, by any such
governmental entity or of a private, nonprofit organization or agency sponsored or funded, in
whole or part, by a community-based citizen group or organization. Any person who renders
psychological services, as defined in Chapter 36 (§ 54.1-3600 et seq.) of this title, shall be
subject to the requirements of that chapter. Any person who, in addition to the above enumerated
employment, engages in an independent private practice shall not be exempt from the
requirements for licensure.
5. Persons regularly employed by private business firms as personnel managers, deputies or
assistants so long as their counseling activities relate only to employees of their employer and in
respect to their employment.
(1976, c. 608, § 54-944; 1986, c. 581; 1988, c. 765.)
§ 54.1-3709. Unlawful designation as social worker.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed under this chapter to use the title "Social
Worker" in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously
uses clarifying initials that signify receiving a baccalaureate or master's degree in social work
from an accredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work
Education or a doctorate in social work.
B. If a complaint or report of a possible violation of this section is made against any person who
is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate licensure privilege issued
by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions, that
complaint shall be referred to the applicable board within the Department for disciplinary action.
A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications
provided for in 42 C.F.R. Part 483 may practice as a "qualified social worker" in any licensed
7
nursing home using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title "social
worker" in connection with the activities of the nursing home.
D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications
provided for in 42 C.F.R. § 418.114(b) (3) may practice as a "social worker" in any licensed
hospice using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title "social worker" in
connection with the activities of the hospice.
E. That nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the Department of Social Services, or
any other entity, to hire licensed social workers or social workers with a baccalaureate or
master's degree in social work from an accredited social work school or program approved by the
Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work.
(2011, c. 794.)
8
APPENDIX B
ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARDS
http://www.aswb.org/licensees/about-licensing-and-regulation/
About licensing and regulation
The purpose of licensing and certification in social work is to assist the public through
identification of standards for the safe professional practice of social work. Each jurisdiction
defines by law what is required for each level of social work licensure. Typically, there are four
categories of practice that jurisdictions may legally regulate.
Bachelors:
Baccalaureate social work degree upon graduation
Masters:
Master’s degree in social work (MSW) with no post-degree experience
Advanced
Generalist:
MSW with two years post-master’s supervised experience
Clinical:
MSW with two years post-master’s direct clinical social work experience
Association of Social Work Boards model social work practice act
Model Law Task Force, 1996 -1997
with amendments, 1998 -2012
Section 104. Practice of Baccalaureate Social Work.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Article III, Section 306, the practice of Baccalaureate Social
Work means the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics and the
professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning
of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. Baccalaureate Social
Work is basic generalist practice that includes assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation,
case management, information and referral, counseling, supervision, consultation, education,
advocacy, community organization, and the development, implementation, and administration of
policies, programs and activities
9
.
Section 105. Practice of Master’s Social Work
Subject to the limitations set forth in Article III, Section 306, the practice of Master’s Social
Work means the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods and ethics and the
professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning
of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. Master’s Social Work
practice includes the application of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in the
areas of assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation, case management,
information and referral, counseling, supervision, consultation, education, research, advocacy,
community organization and the development, implementation, and administration of policies,
programs and activities. Under supervision as provided in this act, the practice of Master’s Social
Work may include the practices reserved to Clinical Social Workers.
Section 106. Practice of Clinical Social Work.
The practice of Clinical Social Work is a specialty within the practice of Master’s Social Work
and requires the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the
professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning
of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. The practice of Clinical
Social Work requires the application of specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical
skills in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral
disorders, conditions and addictions. Treatment methods include the provision of individual,
marital, couple, family and group counseling and psychotherapy. The practice of Clinical Social
Work may include private practice and the provision of clinical supervision.
10
APPENDIX C
STATUTES FROM STATES THAT HAVE MORE THAN ONE
CATEGORY OF LICENSE THAT REQUIRES TAKING THE
ASWB CLINICAL EXAM
Maine
§7053. Qualifications
To be eligible for a license to practice social work at any level, an applicant must be at least 18
years of age and must satisfactorily pass any examination as the board may prescribe by its rules.
Each applicant must demonstrate trustworthiness and competence to engage in the practice of
social work in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public. Applications for
licensure must be submitted to the board together with the fee as set under section 7056. [2007,
c. 402, Pt. V, §7 (AMD).]
The following shall be considered as minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that an
applicant is qualified for licensure under this chapter. [1985, c. 736, §11 (AMD).]
1. Licensed clinical social worker. To be qualified as a licensed clinical social worker, an applicant shall have
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social work profession; shall have
successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board; and shall have received either:
A. A master's or doctoral degree in social work or social welfare from an accredited educational institution in a
clinical concentration and:
(1) Shall have subsequently completed 2 years of social work experience with 96 hours of consultation in a clinical
setting; or
(2) Shall have demonstrated 2 years of full-time clinical social work experience or its equivalent and have completed
the graduate degree prior to January 1, 1987 and have completed 2 years of subsequent social work experience with
96 hours of consultation in a private setting; or [2013, c. 262, §3 (AMD).]
B. A master's or doctoral degree in social work in a nonclinical concentration from an accredited educational
institution and:
(1) Shall have subsequently completed 4 years of social work experience with 192 hours of consultation in a clinical
setting; or
(2) Shall have demonstrated 2 years of full-time clinical social work experience or its equivalent and have completed
the graduate degree prior to January 1, 1987 and have completed 4 years of subsequent social work experience with
192 hours of consultation in a private setting. [2013, c. 262, §3 (AMD).]
The board may waive up to one year of the post-master of social work, clinical experience requirement pursuant to
this subsection for those candidates who demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board equivalent clinical experience
prior to receiving the master's degree in social work.
11
The board shall issue rules in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375 defining the clinical experience required for this
level of licensure.
Beginning January 1, 2020, an applicant for initial licensure shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board
successful completion of a minimum of 12 hours of course work in family or intimate partner violence, including
course work in spousal or partner abuse that addresses screening, referral and intervention strategies, including
knowledge of community resources, cultural factors, evidence-based risk assessment and same-gender abuse
dynamics. An applicant may fulfill this requirement through course work taken in fulfillment of other educational
requirements for licensure or through separate course work provided through contact hours, Internet hours or
distance learning programs, as evidenced by certification from an accredited educational institution. The board shall
accept certification from the accredited educational institution from which the applicant is a graduate that verifies
the applicant's satisfaction of this requirement within the applicant's completed course curriculum. An applicant for
initial licensure that is unable to demonstrate completion of the requirement of 12 hours of course work at the time
the initial application is submitted shall demonstrate to the board that this requirement has been fulfilled upon the
applicant's first application for license renewal.
[ 2013, c. 262, §3 (AMD) .]
2. Licensed master social worker.
[ 2003, c. 211, §1 (AMD); MRSA T. 32, §7053, sub-§2 (RP) .]
2-A. Licensed master social worker. As a licensed master social worker, an applicant must have received either a
masters or doctoral degree in social work or social welfare from an accredited educational institution, must have
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social work profession and must have
successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board. After meeting these qualifications, the applicant
must receive a "licensed master social worker" license. In addition, any person wishing to practice social work in a
clinical setting must receive a "licensed master social worker, conditional" license.
This subsection takes effect July 1, 2005.
[ 2003, c. 211, §2 (NEW) .]
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MISSOURI
Missouri Revised Statutes
Chapter 337
Psychologists--Professional Counselors--Social Workers
Section 337.600
August 28, 2013
Definitions.
337.600. As used in sections 337.600 to 337.689, the following terms mean:
(1) "Advanced macro social worker", the applications of social work theory, knowledge,
methods, principles, values, and ethics; and the professional use of self to community and
organizational systems, systemic and macrocosm issues, and other indirect nonclinical services;
specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in case management, information and
referral, nonclinical assessments, counseling, outcome evaluation, mediation, nonclinical
supervision, nonclinical consultation, expert testimony, education, outcome evaluation, research,
advocacy, social planning and policy development, community organization, and the
development, implementation and administration of policies, programs, and activities. A licensed
advanced macro social worker may not treat mental or emotional disorders or provide
psychotherapy without the direct supervision of a licensed clinical social worker, or diagnose a
mental disorder;
(2) "Clinical social work", the application of social work theory, knowledge, values, methods,
principles, and techniques of case work, group work, client-centered advocacy, community
organization, administration, planning, evaluation, consultation, research, psychotherapy and
counseling methods and techniques to persons, families and groups in assessment, diagnosis,
treatment, prevention and amelioration of mental and emotional conditions;
(3) "Committee", the state committee for social workers established in section 337.622;
(4) "Department", the Missouri department of insurance, financial institutions and professional
registration;
(5) "Director", the director of the division of professional registration;
(6) "Division", the division of professional registration;
13
(7) "Independent practice", any practice of social workers outside of an organized setting such as
a social, medical, or governmental agency in which a social worker assumes responsibility and
accountability for services required;
(8) "Licensed advanced macro social worker", any person who offers to render services to
individuals, groups, families, couples, organizations, institutions, communities, government
agencies, corporations, or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the
person is trained, experienced, and licensed as an advanced macro social worker, and who holds
a current valid license to practice as an advanced macro social worker;
(9) "Licensed baccalaureate social worker", any person who offers to render services to
individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, government agencies, or the general
public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is trained, experienced, and
licensed as a baccalaureate social worker, and who holds a current valid license to practice as a
baccalaureate social worker;
(10) "Licensed clinical social worker", any person who offers to render services to individuals,
groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, government agencies, or the general public for a
fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is trained, experienced, and licensed as a
clinical social worker, and who holds a current, valid license to practice as a clinical social
worker;
(11) "Licensed master social worker", any person who offers to render services to individuals,
groups, families, couples, organizations, institutions, communities, government agencies,
corporations, or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is
trained, experienced, and licensed as a master social worker, and who holds a current valid
license to practice as a master social worker. A licensed master social worker may not treat
mental or emotional disorders, provide psychotherapy without the direct supervision of a
licensed clinical social worker, or diagnose a mental disorder;
(12) "Master social work", the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, and ethics
and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial
functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, communities, institutions,
government agencies, or corporations. The practice includes the applications of specialized
knowledge and advanced practice skills in the areas of assessment, treatment planning,
implementation and evaluation, case management, mediation, information and referral,
counseling, client education, supervision, consultation, education, research, advocacy,
community organization and development, planning, evaluation, implementation and
administration of policies, programs, and activities. Under supervision as provided in this
section, the practice of master social work may include the practices reserved to clinical social
workers or advanced macro social workers for no more than forty-eight consecutive calendar
months for the purpose of obtaining licensure under section 337.615 or 337.645;
(13) "Practice of advanced macro social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising
those who render to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, institutions,
14
corporations, government agencies, communities, or the general public any service involving the
application of methods, principles, and techniques of advanced practice macro social work;
(14) "Practice of baccalaureate social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those
who render to individuals, families, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, or the
general public any service involving the application of methods, principles, and techniques of
baccalaureate social work;
(15) "Practice of clinical social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who
render to individuals, couples, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, or the general
public any service involving the application of methods, principles, and techniques of clinical
social work;
(16) "Practice of master social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who
render to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations,
government agencies, communities, or the general public any service involving the application of
methods, principles, and techniques of master social work;
(17) "Qualified advanced macro supervisor", any licensed social worker who meets the
qualifications of a qualified clinical supervisor or a licensed advanced macro social worker who
has:
(a) Practiced in the field of social work as a licensed social worker for which he or she is
supervising the applicant for a minimum of five years;
(b) Successfully completed a minimum of sixteen hours of supervisory training from the
Association of Social Work Boards, the National Association of Social Workers, an accredited
university, or a program approved by the state committee for social workers. All organizations
providing the supervisory training shall adhere to the basic content and quality standards outlined
by the state committee on social work; and
(c) Met all the requirements of sections 337.600 to 337.689, and as defined by rule by the state
committee for social workers;
(18) "Qualified baccalaureate supervisor", any licensed social worker who meets the
qualifications of a qualified clinical supervisor, qualified master supervisor, qualified advanced
macro supervisor, or a licensed baccalaureate social worker who has:
(a) Practiced in the field of social work as a licensed social worker for which he or she is
supervising the applicant for a minimum of five years;
(b) Successfully completed a minimum of sixteen hours of supervisory training from the
Association of Social Work Boards, the National Association of Social Workers, an accredited
university, or a program approved by the state committee for social workers. All organizations
providing the supervisory training shall adhere to the basic content and quality standards outlined
by the state committee on social workers; and
15
(c) Met all the requirements of sections 337.600 to 337.689, and as defined by rule by the state
committee for social workers;
(19) "Qualified clinical supervisor", any licensed clinical social worker who has:
(a) Practiced in the field of social work as a licensed social worker for which he or she is
supervising the applicant for a minimum of five years;
(b) Successfully completed a minimum of sixteen hours of supervisory training from the
Association of Social Work Boards, the National Association of Social Workers, an accredited
university, or a program approved by the state committee for social workers. All organizations
providing the supervisory training shall adhere to the basic content and quality standards outlined
by the state committee on social work; and
(c) Met all the requirements of sections 337.600 to 337.689, and as defined by rule by the state
committee for social workers;
(20) "Social worker", any individual that has:
(a) Received a baccalaureate or master's degree in social work from an accredited social work
program approved by the council on social work education;
(b) Received a doctorate or Ph.D. in social work; or
(c) A current social worker license as set forth in sections 337.600 to 337.689.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720 § 1, A.L. 1995 S.B. 69, et al., A.L. 2003 H.B. 332, A.L. 2005 S.B. 177, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308, A.L. 2008
S.B. 788, A.L. 2009 H.B. 326, A.L. 2010 H.B. 2226, et al.)
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APPENDIX D
NASW VA PUBLIC COMMENTS TO VBSW JANUARY 3, 2014
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