§ 4997.1. — 4997.1. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 787, Sec. 85.)

(a)
(1)
The board shall issue, upon submission of a completed application as prescribed by this section and payment of the fee fixed by this chapter, a retired license to a licensed clinical social worker who holds a license that is current and active or a license that is inactive, and whose license is not suspended, revoked, or otherwise punitively restricted by the board or subject to disciplinary action under this chapter.
(2)
A clinical social worker license that has expired shall be issued a retired license by the board upon submission of a completed application as prescribed by this section and payment of the fee fixed by this chapter if all of the following
requirements are met:
(A)
The license expired within three years from the date of the board’s receipt of a completed application.
(B)
Immediately preceding the license expiration, and after the license expiration, the license was not suspended, revoked, or otherwise punitively restricted by the board or subject to disciplinary action under this chapter.
(3)
For purposes of this section, “subject to disciplinary action” shall mean that the licensee had an unsatisfied cost recovery, fine or restitution order, an accusation or petition to revoke probation that has been served on the licensee alleging violations of their probation or the chapter, or an unresolved complaint or investigation pending with the
board.
(b)
To apply for a retired license, the applicant shall submit a completed application to the board providing all of the following information:
(1)
Full name as filed with the board.
(2)
Board license type, license number, and expiration date.
(3)
Date of birth.
(4)
Social security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
(5)
A statement signed under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct, that the applicant understands that the holder of a retired license may not engage
in any activity for which the active license was issued, and that the applicant hereby requests their license to be changed to retired status.
(c)
The holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section shall not engage in any activity for which an active clinical social worker license is required.
(d)
The holder of a retired license shall utilize their professional title only with the unabbreviated word “retired” directly preceding or directly following the professional title.
(e)
The holder of a retired license shall not be required to renew that license.
(f)
The holder of a retired license may apply to restore to active status their license to
practice clinical social work if that retired license was issued less than three years prior to the date the application to restore the retired license is received by the board. A retired license may be restored to active status one time only. To restore a retired license to active status, the applicant shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1)
Submits a completed application to the board containing all of the following information:
(A)
Full name as filed with the board.
(B)
Original board license type and original license number and expiration date.
(C)
Date of birth.
(D)
Social
security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
(E)
Whether they have been convicted, as defined in Section 490, of a misdemeanor or felony, or whether any disciplinary action has been taken by any regulatory or licensing board in this or any other state, subsequent to the issuance of the retired license.
(F)
A statement signed under penalty of perjury that the information provided on the application is true and correct, that the applicant did not engage in any activity for which an active license is required while the license was in retired status, and that the applicant hereby requests their license to be changed to “active” status.
(2)
Has not committed an act or crime constituting grounds for denial
of licensure.
(3)
Pays the required renewal fee.
(4)
Completes the required continuing education as specified in Section 4996.22.
(5)
Complies with the fingerprint submission requirements established in Section 144.
(g)
An applicant requesting to restore their license pursuant to subdivision (f) whose retired license was issued in accordance with this section less than one year from the date the application to restore the retired license is received by the board shall complete 18 hours of continuing education taken within the two years prior to the date the application to restore the retired license is received by the board. The coursework shall include a
minimum of six hours in the subject of California law and ethics.
(h)
An applicant requesting to restore their license pursuant to subdivision (f) whose retired license was issued in accordance with this section one or more years from the date the application to restore the retired license is received by the board shall complete 36 hours of continuing education taken within the two years prior to the date the application to restore the retired license is received by the board. This coursework shall include a minimum of six hours in the subject of California law and ethics.
(i)
A retired license that was issued three or more years prior shall not be restored. The holder of the retired license may apply for and obtain a new license if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
(1)
Has not committed an act or crime constituting grounds for
denial of licensure.
(2)
Applies for licensure and pays the required fees.
(3)
Passes the examinations required for licensure.
(4)
Complies with the fingerprint submission requirements established in Section 144.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 787, Sec. 85. (SB 775) Effective January 1, 2026.