HF1191 Summary: Social Worker Licensure Modifications

• Establishes a "grandparenting" period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 allowing certain social workers to obtain licenses (LSW, LGSW, LISW, LICSW) without meeting standard educational requirements if they meet alternative qualifications and were employed by eligible agencies.

• Requires city, county, and state agency social workers to be licensed effective July 1, 2014 if presented to the public with a social work title or if they hold a social work degree and practice social work.

• Modifies temporary licensure provisions to establish six-month expiration for some temporary licenses and twelve-month expiration for teachers and graduates from programs in candidacy status with accrediting bodies.

• Expands alternate supervisor qualifications effective August 1, 2012 to allow licensed mental health professionals and out-of-state social workers to provide up to 25 percent of required supervision hours, with higher percentages allowed in underserved counties.

• Allows students in accredited social work programs to use the title "social work intern" and exempts their required internships from licensure requirements.