§ 63-23-104 — Practice of advanced social work - Licensing requirements

(a) The practice of advanced social work as a nonclinical social worker is the professional application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, principles, values and ethics and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. Advanced master's or doctorate social work practice requires the application of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in the areas of education, research, advocacy, community organization, mediation, consultation, assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation, case management, counseling, supportive counseling, direct practice, information and referral, supervision, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs and activities. The nonclinical advanced practice of social work may occur independently outside the jurisdiction of an agency or organizational setting in which the social worker assumes responsibility and accountability for the nature and quality of the services provided to clients, pro bono or in exchange for direct payment or third-party reimbursement. The practice of advanced social work as a nonclinical social worker may include the practice activities of a licensed baccalaureate social worker or licensed master's social worker, or both. The practice of advanced master's or doctorate social work may include the practice of clinical social work under the clinical supervision of a licensed clinical social worker as an avenue for licensure as a clinical social worker without the benefit of direct payments or third-party reimbursements for clinical practice. Practice at this level may include the provision of supervision for licensed or temporarily licensed master's social workers seeking to become licensed advanced practice social workers. Licensed advanced practice social workers may not hold themselves out as a licensed clinical social worker. A social worker may not prescribe medication or interpret psychological tests. (b) (1) To obtain a license to engage in the practice as a licensed advanced practice social worker an applicant must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has: (A) Submitted a written application in a form prescribed by the board or via online application; (B) Paid all applicable fees specified by the board relative to the licensure process; (C) Attained the age of majority; (D) Graduated and received a master's degree in social work from a council on social work education approved program or has received a doctorate or Ph.D. in social work; (E) Practiced for no less than two (2) years as a licensed master's social worker or temporarily licensed master's social worker under the supervision of a licensed advanced practice social worker or licensed clinical social worker; and (F) Successfully passed the association of social work board's advanced generalist licensing exam. (2) Any graduate who graduated before 1980 or who has graduated from a council on social work education accredited program since 1980 may apply for licensure without meeting the requirements of subdivisions (b)(1)(E) and (F) until December 31, 2010. The applicant must provide a work history of not less than three (3) years and a professional reference. Applicants who hold the current credentials of ACSW or DCSW from the National Association of Social Workers may submit documentation of these credentials in lieu of work history and professional reference. (c) No person shall, by verbal claim, advertisement, letterhead, card or in any other way represent that the person is a licensed advanced practice social worker unless the person possesses a valid license issued pursuant to subsection (b). (d) A violation of subsection (c) is a Class A misdemeanor.

Legislative History

Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 949,s 13, eff. 7/1/2014. Acts 2008 , ch. 1016, § 1.