§ 5-39.1-3. Title and practice regulation.
(a) Any individual licensed under this chapter may use the title "licensed clinical social
worker� and the abbreviation "L.C.S.W.� or the title "licensed independent clinical
social worker� and the abbreviation "L.I.C.S.W.�; provided, that the title and abbreviation
correspond to the license held pursuant to this chapter.
(b) No individual shall represent herself or himself as a "licensed clinical social worker,�
"L.C.S.W.,� "licensed independent clinical social worker,� or "L.I.C.S.W.� unless
he or she is licensed as a "licensed clinical social worker� or "licensed independent
clinical social worker� pursuant to this chapter and unless the title and abbreviation
correspond to the license held pursuant to this chapter.
(c) Those currently holding the title "certified social worker� and "certified independent
social worker� shall assume the titles "licensed clinical social worker� and "licensed
independent social worker,� respectively. These licensees are exempt from the examination
but shall be required to fulfill all other criteria for licensure as defined in this
chapter.
(d) No individual shall use "licensed social worker,� "clinical social worker,� "psychiatric
social worker,� or any other designation implying qualification to practice clinical
social work unless he or she is licensed as a "licensed clinical social worker� or
"licensed independent clinical social worker� pursuant to this chapter.
(e) Any individual licensed as a "licensed clinical social worker� and under supervision,
as defined in this chapter, shall be permitted to practice clinical social work, whether
in a private practice or in association with a public or private agency or institution.
(f) Any individual licensed as a "licensed independent social worker� shall be permitted
to practice clinical social work autonomously, whether in a private practice or in
association with a public or private agency or institution.
(g) No individual shall engage in the practice of clinical social work unless he or she
holds an active license as a "licensed clinical social worker� or "licensed independent
clinical social worker.�
(h) Notwithstanding any provisions in §§ 5-39.1-1 — 5-39.1-14 or any other general or public law to the contrary, any nursing facility licensed
under chapter 17 of title 23 that employs a social worker or social-worker designee who meets all of the following
criteria shall be granted a variance to the "qualified social worker� provisions of
section 29 (or any comparable or successor section) of the rules and regulations for
licensing of nursing facilities promulgated by the department of health. Such criteria
shall be limited to: (1) Meets the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services requirements
for long-term-care facilities under 42 C.F.R. part 483, subpart B (or any successor regulation); (2) Is currently employed by a nursing
facility licensed under chapter 17 of title 23; and (3) Has been continuously employed in a nursing facility licensed under chapter 17 of title 23 commencing on or before July 1, 2003.