Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 135-5-.03 - Master's Social Workers
(1)
The Practice of Licensed Master's
Social Workers.
(a)
The Practice
of Licensed Master's Social Work. A licensed Master's Social Worker may
render or offer to render to individuals, marriages, couples, families, groups,
organizations, governmental units, or the general public, service which is
guided by knowledge of social resources, social systems, and human behavior.
The licensee may provide evaluation, prevention and intervention services which
include but are not restricted to community organization, counseling
techniques, and supportive services such as administration, direction,
supervision of bachelor's level social workers, consultation, research or
education.
(b)
First Two
Years of Practice. The first two years of practice after the issuance of
the Master of Social Work license shall be under direction and
supervision.
(c)
Practice
After Two Years of Experience. After two years of Social Work practice
under direction and supervision, the licensee may engage in
private practice however, a master's licensee whose practice includes
counseling or psychotherapeutic techniques may only engage in such practice
under supervision and only for such period of time as is prescribed for
qualification to take the clinical social work licensing examination.
(d)
Private Practice by a Licensed
Master Social Worker After Qualifying for Clinical Social Work Licensure.
In order to continue in the private practice of social work that
includes counseling or psychotherapy, a licensed master's social worker must
apply for a Clinical Social Work license within 60 days of meeting the
experience and supervision requirements for that license. The licensee must
then take the first scheduled examination for which he/she qualifies, unless
good cause is shown for postponement, in which case the licensee shall take the
next scheduled examination. Upon receipt of notification that the licensee has
passed the Clinical Social Work licensing examination and after meeting all
requirements as prescribed in O.C.G.A. 43-10A-8 and 43-10A-72, the Board will
issue a Clinical Social Work license. If the Licensee fails the examination,
the Board shall require that the licensee's work remain supervised until the
applicant has taken and passed the examination. The exam must be taken at the
next scheduled exam date unless the Board, in its sole discretion, approves the
postponement for good cause. The exam may be taken a total of three times. If
the licensee fails the examination three times the licensee shall not engage in
the private practice of counseling or psychotherapy in the State of Georgia
until such time as he/she has taken and passed the examination, absent a
statutory exemption.
2)
Licensure Process-(Please refer to the section entitled
"Definitions" for clarification of terms).
(a)
Education. An applicant for
licensure as a Master's Social Worker must have earned a master's degree in
Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Candidacy, conditional or accreditation status must have been in effect at the
school when the degree was awarded.
(b)
Practice while Preparing to Take
the Licensing Examination. Persons who have obtained a master's degree
from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and who are
practicing social work under direction and supervision while preparing to take
the master's social work licensing examination, may practice for a period of up
to one year following the granting of such degree.
(c)
Examination. Within one year
of graduating from a social work graduate program the individual practicing
social work in the State of Georgia must apply to take the licensing
examination. If the applicant fails the exam the first time it is taken, then
the applicant is required to take the examination at the next scheduled exam
date, unless good cause is shown for postponement. The applicant mays it for
the examination a total of three times. An applicant who fails the examination
three times, shall not continue to engage in the practice of social work in the
state of Georgia, until such time as the applicant has taken and passed the
exam absent of statutory exemption. [Certain exemptions may apply, these are
designated in O.C.G.A. 43-10A-7(b)].
(3)
Definitions.
(a)
Direction means the ongoing
administrative oversight by a director of the work of a Social Worker. The
person providing direction shall be responsible for assuring the quality of the
services rendered by the practitioner and shall ensure that qualified
supervision or intervention occurs in situations which require expertise beyond
that of the practitioner.
(b)
Director means the person who provides direction and who is either
the employer of the person who receives direction or is the superior in the
employment chain of command to the person who receives direction.
(c)
Supervision means the direct
clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of a
Social Worker's interaction with clients. The purpose of supervision shall be
to promote the development of the practitioner's clinical skills. Supervision
may include, without being limited to, the review of case presentations,
audiotapes, videotapes and direct observation. For supervision to enable the
applicant to qualify for Clinical Social Work licensure, it must comply with
requirements specified in Rule
135-5-.04.
(d)
Supervisor means an
individual who promotes the development of the Social Worker's clinical skills
and who is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, Professional Counselor, Marriage
and Family Therapist, Psychologist or Psychiatrist and has met the requirements
to be considered a supervisor in their particular discipline. Supervision
provided for an individual seeking licensure as a clinical social worker must
be in compliance with Rule 135-5-04. A supervisor of a bachelor level social
worker must meet the requirements specified in O.C.G.A.
43-10A-7(b)(14).
(e) For Experience
acquired prior to 7/1/96, one year means 800 hours acquired in no less than 12
months and no more than 36 months.
(f) For Experience acquired on or after
7/1/96, one year means 1000 hours acquired in no less than 12 months and no
more than 36 months.
Notes
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