2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 37:2707 — Qualifications; graduate social worker

§2707.  Qualifications; graduate social worker

A.  No individual shall be eligible for certification by the board as a graduate social worker unless the individual:

(1)  Is of good moral character.

(2)  Holds a master's degree from a graduate school of social work.  This requirement is satisfied if the applicant has graduated from a nonaccredited school and has at least five years of work experience as a practicing social worker within the last nine years prior to January 1, 2001.

(3)  Has passed an examination approved by the board.

B.  The board may issue a provisional graduate social worker certificate to an individual who, except for passing the examination, has completed all requirements for certification as a graduate social worker.  The individual may hold the provisional certificate for no more than three years from the issuance of the original certificate and the individual shall take an examination approved by the board at least once a year.

C.  An individual certified as a graduate social worker or as a provisional graduate social worker may engage in advanced social work practice based on the application of social work theory, knowledge, ethics, and methods to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities.  The graduate social worker's or provisional graduate social worker's practice requires the application of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills which include prevention or intervention, or both, service or treatment planning and evaluation, case management, information and referral, counseling, employee assistance services, addiction services, advocacy, teaching, research, supervision, consultation, community organization, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities.  A social worker certified or provisionally certified at the graduate social worker level may practice clinical social work within an agency under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker.  A graduate social worker may only work as an employee in an agency setting.

D.  An individual practicing graduate level social work in Louisiana and who meets the qualifications set forth in Subsection A of this Section who wishes to continue the practice shall apply for certification under the provisions of this Chapter within one year subsequent to January 1, 2000.

E.  At any time within one year from January 1, 2000, the board shall waive the examination requirement and shall issue a certificate as a graduate social worker to any individual who files a verified application therefor, accompanied by such fee as is required in R.S. 37:2716, and who submits evidence verified by oath and satisfactory to the board that he complies with the requirements of Subsection A of this Section.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 706, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1309, §7, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 595, §1; Acts 2004, No. 375, §1.