Title of Regulation: 18VAC140-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work (amending 18VAC140-20-10, 18VAC140-20-40, 18VAC140-20-49).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: September 25, 2013.

Agency Contact: Catherine Chappell, Executive Director, Board of Social Work, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4406, FAX (804) 527-4435, or email catherine.chappell@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments conform the regulation to Chapter 533 of the 2013 Acts of Assembly by (i) amending the definition of "clinical course of study" and (ii) specifying the evidence required to document completion of an educational program to qualify an applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker.

Part I
General Provisions

18VAC140-20-10. Definitions.

A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in § 54.1-3700 of the Code of Virginia:

Board

Casework

Casework management and supportive services

Clinical social worker

Practice of social work

Social worker

B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Accredited school of social work" means a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

"Active practice" means post-licensure practice at the level of licensure for which an applicant is seeking licensure in Virginia and shall include at least 360 hours of practice in a 12-month period.

"Clinical course of study" means graduate course work which that includes specialized advanced courses in human behavior and the social environment, social justice and policy, psychopathology, and diversity issues; research,; clinical practice with individuals, families, and groups; and a clinical practicum which that focuses on diagnostic, prevention, and treatment services.

"Clinical social work services" include the application of social work principles and methods in performing assessments and diagnoses based on a recognized manual of mental and emotional disorders or recognized system of problem definition, preventive and early intervention services and treatment services, including but not limited to psychotherapy and counseling for mental disorders, substance abuse, marriage and family dysfunction, and problems caused by social and psychological stress or health impairment.

"Exempt practice" is that which meets the conditions of exemption from the requirements of licensure as defined in § 54.1-3701 of the Code of Virginia.

"Face-to-face supervision" means the physical presence of the individuals involved in the supervisory relationship during either individual or group supervision.

"Nonexempt practice" is that which does not meet the conditions of exemption from the requirements of licensure as defined in § 54.1-3701 of the Code of Virginia.

"Supervisee" means an individual who has submitted a supervisory contract and has received board approval to provide clinical services in social work under supervision.

"Supervision" means a professional relationship between a supervisor and supervisee in which the supervisor directs, monitors and evaluates the supervisee's social work practice while promoting development of the supervisee's knowledge, skills and abilities to provide social work services in an ethical and competent manner.

Part II
Requirements for Licensure

18VAC140-20-40. Requirements for licensure by examination as a licensed clinical social worker.

Every applicant for examination for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker shall:

1. Meet the education requirements prescribed in 18VAC140-20-49 and experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC140-20-50.

2. Submit in one package to the board office:

a. A completed notarized application;

b. Documentation, on the appropriate forms, of the successful completion of the supervised experience requirements of 18VAC140-20-50 along with documentation of the supervisor's out-of-state license where applicable. Applicants whose former supervisor is deceased, or whose whereabouts is unknown, shall submit to the board a notarized affidavit from the present chief executive officer of the agency, corporation or partnership in which the applicant was supervised. The affidavit shall specify dates of employment, job responsibilities, supervisor's name and last known address, and the total number of hours spent by the applicant with the supervisor in face-to-face supervision;

c. The application fee prescribed in 18VAC140-20-30;

d. Official transcript or transcripts in the original sealed envelope documentation submitted from the appropriate institutions of higher education directly to the applicant that verifies successful completion of educational requirements set forth in 18VAC140-20-49 for licensure as a clinical social worker; and

e. Documentation of applicant's out-of-state licensure where applicable.

3. Provide evidence of passage of the examination prescribed in 18VAC140-20-70. If the examination was not passed within five years preceding application for licensure, the applicant may qualify by documentation of providing clinical social work services in an exempt setting for at least 360 hours per year for two of the past five years.

18VAC140-20-49. Educational requirements for a licensed clinical social worker.

A. The applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker shall be a graduate of a Master or Doctor of Social Work Program in a clinical course of study. An applicant with a nonclinical concentration shall complete additional graduate level academic course work and field placement/practicum to meet all requirements for a clinical course of study document successful completion of one of the following: (i) a master's degree in social work with a clinical course of study from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, (ii) a master's degree in social work with a nonclinical concentration from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education together with successful completion of the educational requirements for a clinical course of study through a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or (iii) a program of education and training in social work at an educational institution outside the United States recognized by the Council on Social Work Education.

B. The minimum course requirements for a clinical course of study shall include graduate level courses consisting of:

1. Twelve credit hours of explanatory theory;

2. Twelve credit hours of practice theory;

3. Three credit hours of psychopathology including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment;

4. Three credit hours of social work practice research; and

5. Coursework in diversity issues, social justice, culture, and at-risk populations.

C. B. The requirement for a supervised field placement/practicum in clinical social work services clinical practicum in a clinical course of study shall be a minimum of 600 hours, which shall be integrated with clinical course of study coursework and supervised by a person who is a licensed clinical social worker or who holds a master's or doctor's degree in social work and has a minimum of three years of experience in clinical social work services after earning the graduate degree. An applicant who has otherwise met the requirements for a clinical course of study but who did not have a minimum of 600 hours in a supervised field placement/practicum in clinical social work services may meet the requirement by obtaining an equivalent number of hours of supervised practice in clinical social work services in addition to the experience required in 18VAC140-20-50.

D. Graduates of a bachelor of social work program who earn advanced standing in the masters program shall meet all minimum course requirements for a clinical course of study, except advanced standing students may count up to six hours of explanatory theory and up to six hours of practice theory completed during the bachelor degree program towards meeting the requirements.

E. A master of social work program shall (i) include foundation course work common for all social work students, (ii) include advanced course work for student specialization, and (iii) be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A doctor of social work program shall at a minimum: (i) meet all requirements for the advanced course requirements for a clinical course of study, and (ii) be accredited by the appropriate regional academic accrediting body (e.g., Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).