SENATE, No. 1444

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

By Senator BASSANO

An Act concerning social workers and amending P.L.1991, c.134.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Section 6 of P.L.1991, c.134 (C.45:15BB-6) is amended to read as follows:

    6. a. The board shall issue a license as a "licensed clinical social worker" to an applicant who has:

    (1) Received a master's degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited institution of higher education;

    (2) Had at least two years of full-time experience in the practice of clinical social work under the supervision of a clinical social worker licensed by this State or who, by virtue of the supervisor's education and experience, is eligible for licensure in this State as a licensed clinical social worker, or any other supervisor who may be deemed acceptable to the board;

    (3) Satisfactorily completed minimum course requirements established by the board to ensure adequate training in methods of clinical social work practice; and

    (4) Passed an appropriate examination provided by the board for this purpose.

    In lieu of the educational and experience requirements provided in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the board shall issue a license as a "licensed clinical social worker" to an applicant who has received a master's degree in counseling and had at least five years of full-time experience providing psychotherapeutic counseling to individuals, families or groups.

    b. The board shall issue a license as a "licensed social worker" to an applicant who has:

    (1) Received a master's degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work from an accredited institution of higher education; and

    (2) Passed an appropriate examination provided by the board for this purpose.

    c. The board shall certify an applicant who has:

    (1) received a baccalaureate degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education ; or

    (2) on or before the effective date of this act, acquired a baccalaureate degree in a field related to human services from an accredited institution of higher education and has engaged in full-time social work for at least one year prior to the effective date of P.L.1995, c.66.

(cf: P.L.1995, c.66, s.3)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill amends the section of law establishing the qualifications for the licensing of social workers, N.J.S.A.45:15BB-6, by allowing someone who has received a master's degree in counseling and has had five years of full-time experience providing psychotherapeutic counseling to individuals, families, or groups, to meet the educational degree and work experience requirements for a licensed clinical social worker.

Amends educational and experience requirements for licensing of social workers.