§2724. Qualification; certified social worker
A. No individual shall be eligible for certification by the board as a certified social
worker unless the individual:
(1)Is of good moral character and whose screening for criminal history pursuant to
R.S. 37:2710 contains no disqualifying information.
(2)Holds a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work.
B.
(1)The board may issue a social worker certificate to an individual who has
completed all requirements for certification as a certified social worker. The individual may
hold the certificate for no more than three years from the issuance of the original certificate.
(2)(a) At the end of the three-year certification period, a certified social worker who
has provided CPST services pursuant to R.S. 40:2162 and who mee
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
§2724. Qualification; certified social worker
A. No individual shall be eligible for certification by the board as a certified social
worker unless the individual:
(1) Is of good moral character and whose screening for criminal history pursuant to
R.S. 37:2710 contains no disqualifying information.
(2) Holds a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work.
B.(1) The board may issue a social worker certificate to an individual who has
completed all requirements for certification as a certified social worker. The individual may
hold the certificate for no more than three years from the issuance of the original certificate.
(2)(a) At the end of the three-year certification period, a certified social worker who
has provided CPST services pursuant to R.S. 40:2162 and who meets all the qualifications
for licensure as a licensed master's social worker except for the provisions of R.S.
37:2707(A)(3) shall petition the board at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the
certificate for an extension of the certification for the limited purpose of providing CPST
services as defined in R.S. 40:2162.
(b) The petition to extend the certification shall include all of the following:
(i) The amount of time requested for the extended certification, which shall not
exceed three years from the expiration of the initial certification.
(ii) The amount of time the petitioner has provided CPST services for a licensed and
accredited provider.
(iii) A signed statement from the petitioner's licensed clinical supervisor that supports
the petition and confirms the intent for the supervisor to continue providing supervision.
(iv) Any additional information requested by the board to appropriately evaluate the
petition.
(c) The board shall approve any petition that meets the criteria provided in this
Paragraph.
(d) The certified social worker shall be solely authorized to continue to provide CPST
services for a licensed and accredited provider in accordance with R.S. 40:2162.
(e) The certified social worker shall complete the continuing education required by
R.S. 37:2714 and pay the annual certification renewal fee set forth in R.S. 37:2716.
C. An individual certified as a certified 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 certified social worker
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 at the certified social worker level may
practice clinical social work and psychotherapy within an agency under the supervision of
a licensed clinical social worker. A certified social worker may work as an employee only
in an agency setting, notwithstanding the definition of "agency" as defined in R.S. 37:2703(1)
or the requirement for employment in an agency setting provided in this Subsection.