Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Social Work intends to consider amending 18VAC140-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work. The purpose of the proposed action is to add hours in ethics or standards of practice to address a concern about complaints against social workers, almost all of which stem from an ethical issue or a failure to adhere to professional standards of practice. Currently, 30 hours of continuing education are required every two years for renewal of a clinical social work license and 15 hours of continuing education are required for renewal of a social work license. A minimum of two of those hours must pertain to ethics or the standards of practice for the behavioral health professions or to laws governing the practice of social work in Virginia. The proposed action increases continuing education in ethics or the standards of practice for behavioral health professions from a minimum of two hours to a minimum of six hours every two years. The total hours of required continuing education would not change.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

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

Public Comment Deadline: September 5, 2018.

Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, 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 jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.