HB1293 - Social Worker Licensure Amendments

• Reorganizes the purpose and definitions of social work practice, establishing three licensure levels: Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Master Social Worker, and Licensed Certified Social Worker, each with specific qualifications and scope of practice.

• Increases licensing fees: application fees from $100 to $150, renewal fees from $80 to $150, and late renewal fees from $80 to $150; also increases fees for certificate registration and endorsements.

• Specifies criminal background check requirements and permanent disqualification offenses, including felonies, crimes involving moral turpitude, violence, dishonesty, fraud, and child/vulnerable person abuse, with provision for board waiver requests.

• Establishes supervision requirements for Licensed Master Social Workers and Licensed Certified Social Workers, restricting independent private practice to Licensed Certified Social Workers only.

• Adds new section 17-103-309 establishing that social work services provided by any means including electronic or telephone to clients in Arkansas constitutes practice subject to licensure requirements and board rules.