2007 Minnesota Statutes

148D.055 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS.
    Subdivision 1. License required. (a) In order to practice social work, an individual must
have a social work license under this section or section 148D.060, except when the individual is
exempt from licensure pursuant to section 148D.065.
(b) Individuals who teach professional social work knowledge, skills, and values to students
and who have a social work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work
Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar accreditation body
designated by the board must have a social work license under this section or section 148D.060,
except when the individual is exempt from licensure pursuant to section 148D.065.
    Subd. 2. Qualifications for licensure by examination as a licensed social worker. (a) To
be licensed as a licensed social worker, an applicant for licensure by examination must provide
evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
    (1) has received a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the
Council on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a
similar accreditation body designated by the board;
    (2) has passed the bachelors or equivalent examination administered by the Association of
Social Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board. Unless an applicant
applies for licensure by endorsement pursuant to subdivision 7, an examination is not valid if it
was taken and passed eight or more years prior to submitting a completed, signed application form
provided by the board. The examination may be taken prior to completing degree requirements;
    (3) has submitted a completed, signed application form provided by the board, including the
applicable application fee specified in section 148D.180. For applications submitted electronically,
a "signed application" means providing an attestation as specified by the board;
    (4) has submitted the criminal background check fee and a form provided by the board
authorizing a criminal background check pursuant to subdivision 8;
    (5) has paid the applicable license fee specified in section 148D.180; and
    (6) has not engaged in conduct that was or would be in violation of the standards of practice
specified in sections 148D.195 to 148D.240. If the applicant has engaged in conduct that was
or would be in violation of the standards of practice, the board may take action pursuant to
sections 148D.255 to 148D.270.
    (b) An application that is not completed and signed, or that is not accompanied by the correct
fee, must be returned to the applicant, along with any fee submitted, and is void.
    (c) A licensee granted a license by the board pursuant to paragraph (a) must meet the
supervised practice requirements specified in sections 148D.100 to 148D.125. If a licensee does
not meet the supervised practice requirements, the board may take action pursuant to sections
148D.255 to 148D.270.
    (d) By submitting an application for licensure, an applicant authorizes the board to
investigate any information provided or requested in the application. The board may request that
the applicant provide additional information, verification, or documentation.
    (e) Within one year of the time the board receives an application for licensure, the applicant
must meet all the requirements specified in paragraph (a) and must provide all of the information
requested by the board pursuant to paragraph (d). If within one year the applicant does not
meet all the requirements, or does not provide all of the information requested, the applicant is
considered ineligible and the application for licensure must be closed.
    (f) Except as provided in paragraph (g), an applicant may not take more than three times the
bachelors or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards, or a
similar examination body designated by the board. An applicant must receive a passing score on
the bachelors or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards
or a similar examination body designated by the board in no more than 18 months after the
date the applicant first failed the examination.
    (g) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), the board may allow an applicant to take, for a fourth
or subsequent time, the bachelors or equivalent examination administered by the Association of
Social Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board if the applicant:
    (1) meets all requirements specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) other than passing the bachelors
or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or a similar
examination body designated by the board;
    (2) provides to the board a description of the efforts the applicant has made to improve the
applicant's score and demonstrates to the board's satisfaction that the efforts are likely to improve
the score; and
    (3) provides to the board letters of recommendation from two licensed social workers
attesting to the applicant's ability to practice social work competently and ethically in accordance
with professional social work knowledge, skills, and values.
    (h) An individual must not practice social work until the individual passes the examination
and receives a social work license under this section or section 148D.060. If the board has reason
to believe that an applicant may be practicing social work without a license, and the applicant
has failed the bachelors or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social
Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board, the board may notify the
applicant's employer that the applicant is not licensed as a social worker.
    Subd. 3. Qualifications for licensure by examination as licensed graduate social worker.
    (a) To be licensed as a licensed graduate social worker, an applicant for licensure by examination
must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
    (1) has received a graduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council
on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar
accreditation body designated by the board;
    (2) has passed the masters or equivalent examination administered by the Association of
Social Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board. Unless an applicant
applies for licensure by endorsement pursuant to section 148D.055, subdivision 7, an examination
is not valid if it was taken and passed eight or more years prior to submitting a completed, signed
application form provided by the board. The examination may be taken prior to completing
degree requirements;
    (3) has submitted a completed, signed application form provided by the board, including the
applicable application fee specified in section 148D.180. For applications submitted electronically,
a "signed application" means providing an attestation as specified by the board;
    (4) has submitted the criminal background check fee and a form provided by the board
authorizing a criminal background check pursuant to subdivision 8;
    (5) has paid the applicable license fee specified in section 148D.180; and
    (6) has not engaged in conduct that was or would be in violation of the standards of practice
specified in sections 148D.195 to 148D.240. If the applicant has engaged in conduct that was
or would be in violation of the standards of practice, the board may take action pursuant to
sections 148D.255 to 148D.270.
    (b) An application which is not completed and signed, or which is not accompanied by the
correct fee, must be returned to the applicant, along with any fee submitted, and is void.
    (c) A licensee granted a license by the board pursuant to paragraph (a) must meet the
supervised practice requirements specified in sections 148D.100 to 148D.125. If a licensee does
not meet the supervised practice requirements, the board may take action pursuant to sections
148D.255 to 148D.270.
    (d) By submitting an application for licensure, an applicant authorizes the board to
investigate any information provided or requested in the application. The board may request that
the applicant provide additional information, verification, or documentation.
    (e) Within one year of the time the board receives an application for licensure, the applicant
must meet all the requirements specified in paragraph (a) and must provide all of the information
requested by the board pursuant to paragraph (d). If within one year the applicant does not
meet all the requirements, or does not provide all of the information requested, the applicant is
considered ineligible and the application for licensure must be closed.
    (f) Except as provided in paragraph (g), an applicant may not take more than three times the
masters or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or a
similar examination body designated by the board. An applicant must receive a passing score on
the masters or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards
or a similar examination body designated by the board in no more than 18 months after the
date the applicant first failed the examination.
    (g) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), the board may allow an applicant to take, for a fourth or
subsequent time, the masters or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social
Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board if the applicant:
    (1) meets all requirements specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) other than passing the masters
or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work boards or a similar
examination body designated by the board;
    (2) provides to the board a description of the efforts the applicant has made to improve the
applicant's score and demonstrates to the board's satisfaction that the efforts are likely to improve
the score; and
    (3) provides to the board letters of recommendation from two licensed social workers
attesting to the applicant's ability to practice social work competently and ethically in accordance
with professional social work knowledge, skills, and values.
    (h) An individual must not practice social work until the individual passes the examination
and receives a social work license under this section or section 148D.060. If the board has reason
to believe that an applicant may be practicing social work without a license, and the applicant
has failed the masters or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social
Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board, the board may notify the
applicant's employer that the applicant is not licensed as a social worker.
    Subd. 4. Licensure by examination; licensed independent social worker. (a) To be
licensed as a licensed independent social worker, an applicant for licensure by examination must
provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
    (1) has received a graduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council
on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar
accreditation body designated by the board;
    (2) has practiced social work as defined in section 148D.010, and has met the supervised
practice requirements specified in sections 148D.100 to 148D.125;
    (3) has passed the advanced generalist or equivalent examination administered by the
Association of Social Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board. Unless
an applicant applies for licensure by endorsement pursuant to subdivision 7, an examination is
not valid if it was taken and passed eight or more years prior to submitting a completed, signed
application form provided by the board;
    (4) has submitted a completed, signed application form provided by the board, including the
applicable application fee specified in section 148D.180. For applications submitted electronically,
a "signed application" means providing an attestation as specified by the board;
    (5) has submitted the criminal background check fee and a form provided by the board
authorizing a criminal background check pursuant to subdivision 8;
    (6) has paid the applicable license fee specified in section 148D.180; and
    (7) has not engaged in conduct that was or would be in violation of the standards of practice
specified in sections 148D.195 to 148D.240. If the applicant has engaged in conduct that was
or would be in violation of the standards of practice, the board may take action pursuant to
sections 148D.255 to 148D.270.
    (b) An application which is not completed and signed, or which is not accompanied by the
correct fee, must be returned to the applicant, along with any fee submitted, and is void.
    (c) A licensed independent social worker who practices clinical social work must meet the
supervised practice requirements specified in sections 148D.100 to 148D.125. If a licensee does
not meet the supervised practice requirements, the board may take action pursuant to sections
148D.255 to 148D.270.
    (d) By submitting an application for licensure, an applicant authorizes the board to
investigate any information provided or requested in the application. The board may request that
the applicant provide additional information, verification, or documentation.
    (e) Within one year of the time the board receives an application for licensure, the applicant
must meet all the requirements specified in paragraph (a) and must provide all of the information
requested by the board pursuant to paragraph (d). If within one year the applicant does not
meet all the requirements, or does not provide all of the information requested, the applicant is
considered ineligible and the application for licensure must be closed.
    (f) Except as provided in paragraph (g), an applicant may not take more than three times the
advanced generalist or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work
Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board. An applicant must receive a
passing score on the masters or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social
Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board in no more than 18 months
after the first time the applicant failed the examination.
    (g) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), the board may allow an applicant to take, for a fourth
or subsequent time, the advanced generalist or equivalent examination administered by the
Association of Social Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board if the
applicant:
    (1) meets all requirements specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) other than passing the advanced
generalist or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or a
similar examination body designated by the board;
    (2) provides to the board a description of the efforts the applicant has made to improve the
applicant's score and demonstrates to the board's satisfaction that the efforts are likely to improve
the score; and
    (3) provides to the board letters of recommendation from two licensed social workers
attesting to the applicant's ability to practice social work competently and ethically in accordance
with professional social work knowledge, skills, and values.
    (h) An individual must not practice social work until the individual passes the examination
and receives a social work license under this section or section 148D.060. If the board has
reason to believe that an applicant may be practicing social work without a license, except as
provided in section 148D.065, and the applicant has failed the advanced generalist or equivalent
examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or a similar examination
body designated by the board, the board may notify the applicant's employer that the applicant
is not licensed as a social worker.
    Subd. 5. Licensure by examination; licensed independent clinical social worker. (a)
To be licensed as a licensed independent clinical social worker, an applicant for licensure by
examination must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
    (1) has received a graduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council
on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar
accreditation body designated by the board;
    (2) has practiced clinical social work as defined in section 148D.010, including both
diagnosis and treatment, and has met the supervised practice requirements specified in sections
148D.100 to 148D.125;
    (3) has passed the clinical or equivalent examination administered by the Association of
Social Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board. Unless an applicant
applies for licensure by endorsement pursuant to subdivision 7, an examination is not valid if it
was taken and passed eight or more years prior to submitting a completed, signed application
form provided by the board;
    (4) has submitted a completed, signed application form provided by the board, including the
applicable application fee specified in section 148D.180. For applications submitted electronically,
a "signed application" means providing an attestation as specified by the board;
    (5) has submitted the criminal background check fee and a form provided by the board
authorizing a criminal background check pursuant to subdivision 8;
    (6) has paid the license fee specified in section 148D.180; and
    (7) has not engaged in conduct that was or would be in violation of the standards of practice
specified in sections 148D.195 to 148D.240. If the applicant has engaged in conduct that was
or would be in violation of the standards of practice, the board may take action pursuant to
sections 148D.255 to 148D.270.
    (b) An application which is not completed and signed, or which is not accompanied by the
correct fee, must be returned to the applicant, along with any fee submitted, and is void.
    (c) By submitting an application for licensure, an applicant authorizes the board to
investigate any information provided or requested in the application. The board may request that
the applicant provide additional information, verification, or documentation.
    (d) Within one year of the time the board receives an application for licensure, the applicant
must meet all the requirements specified in paragraph (a) and must provide all of the information
requested by the board pursuant to paragraph (c). If within one year the applicant does not meet all
the requirements, or does not provide all of the information requested, the applicant is considered
ineligible and the application for licensure must be closed.
    (e) Except as provided in paragraph (f), an applicant may not take more than three times
the clinical or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards
or a similar examination body designated by the board. An applicant must receive a passing
score on the clinical or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work
Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board no later than 18 months after the
first time the applicant failed the examination.
    (f) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), the board may allow an applicant to take, for a fourth or
subsequent time, the clinical or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social
Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board if the applicant:
    (1) meets all requirements specified in paragraphs (a) to (d) other than passing the clinical
or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or a similar
examination body designated by the board;
    (2) provides to the board a description of the efforts the applicant has made to improve the
applicant's score and demonstrates to the board's satisfaction that the efforts are likely to improve
the score; and
    (3) provides to the board letters of recommendation from two licensed social workers
attesting to the applicant's ability to practice social work competently and ethically in accordance
with professional social work knowledge, skills, and values.
    (g) An individual must not practice social work until the individual passes the examination
and receives a social work license under this section or section 148D.060. If the board has reason
to believe that an applicant may be practicing social work without a license, and the applicant
has failed the clinical or equivalent examination administered by the Association of Social
Work Boards or a similar examination body designated by the board, the board may notify the
applicant's employer that the applicant is not licensed as a social worker.
    Subd. 6. Degrees from outside United States or Canada. If an applicant receives a degree
from a program outside the United States or Canada that is not accredited by the Council on
Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar
examination body designated by the board, the degree does not fulfill the requirements specified
in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (1); 3, paragraph (a), clause (1); 4, paragraph (a), clause
(1); or 5, paragraph (a), clause (1), unless the Council on Social Work Education or a similar
accreditation body designated by the board has determined through the council's international
equivalency determination service that the degree earned is equivalent to the degree required.
    Subd. 7. Licensure by endorsement. (a) An applicant for licensure by endorsement must
hold a current license or credential to practice social work in another jurisdiction.
(b) An applicant for licensure by endorsement who meets the qualifications of paragraph (a)
and who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant passed the examination
administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or a similar examination body designated
by the board for the applicable license in Minnesota is not required to retake the licensing
examination.
(c) An application for licensure by endorsement must meet the applicable license
requirements specified in subdivisions 1 to 6 and submit the licensure by endorsement application
fee specified in section 148D.180.
    Subd. 7a. Provisional licensure. An applicant for provisional licensure must meet the
license requirements in subdivisions 2 to 8, except the applicant does not have to pass an
examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards or a similar examination
body designated by the board.
    Subd. 8. Criminal background checks. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), an initial
license application must be accompanied by:
(1) a form provided by the board authorizing the board to complete a criminal background
check; and
(2) the criminal background check fee specified by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Criminal background check fees collected by the board must be used to reimburse the Bureau
of Criminal Apprehension for the criminal background checks.
(b) An applicant who has previously submitted a license application authorizing the board to
complete a criminal background check is exempt from the requirement specified in paragraph (a).
(c) If a criminal background check indicates that an applicant has engaged in criminal
behavior, the board may take action pursuant to sections 148D.255 to 148D.270.
    Subd. 9. Effective date. The effective date of an initial license is the day on which the board
receives the applicable license fee from an applicant approved for licensure.
    Subd. 10. Expiration date. The expiration date of an initial license is the last day of the
licensee's birth month in the second calendar year following the effective date of the initial license.
    Subd. 11. Change in license. (a) A licensee who changes from a licensed social worker
to a licensed graduate social worker, or from a licensed graduate social worker to a licensed
independent social worker, or from a licensed graduate social worker or licensed independent
social worker to a licensed independent clinical social worker, must pay the prorated share of
the fee for the new license.
(b) The effective date of the new license is the day on which the board receives the applicable
license fee from an applicant approved for the new license.
(c) The expiration date of the new license is the same date as the expiration date of the
license held by the licensee prior to the change in the license.
History: 2005 c 147 art 1 s 16; 2007 c 123 s 48-52
NOTE:This section was also repealed by Laws 2007, chapter 123, section 137, effective
August 1, 2011. Laws 2007, chapter 123, section 137.