§ 43-41-02 — Social work practice - Exceptions

1. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prevent any person from doing work within
the standards and ethics of that person's profession and calling, provided that the
person does not present to the public, by title or description of services, that the
person is engaging in social work practice.
2. This chapter may not be construed to prevent students who are enrolled in programs
of study leading to social work degrees from interning with a licensed baccalaureate
social worker, a licensed master social worker, or a licensed clinical social worker.
3. Nothing in this chapter prevents the employment of, or volunteering by, individuals in
nonprofit agencies or community organizations provided these persons do not hold
themselves out to the public as being social workers.
4. Nothing in this chapter prevents the employment of social work designees by
hospitals, basic care facilities, or skilled nursing facilities, provided these individuals
work under the direction of a social worker or social work consultant licensed under
this chapter and that the board be notified of the name of the designee's employer and
the name of the licensee who is providing direction or consultation to the designees.
5. This chapter does not require public or appointed officials or administrators, acting in
that capacity, or any other social or human service administrators who do not hold
themselves out to the public as social workers, by title or description of services, to be
licensed under this chapter.
6. This chapter does not prevent individuals with master's or doctoral degrees in the field
of counseling with specialization in mental health from serving as counselors or
therapists in mental health in state institutions or state-operated behavioral health
clinics, if they do not hold themselves out to the public as social workers.