The board may certify a social worker if the person meets character, criminal-history, and education requirements, and certified social workers have specific petition, renewal, and practice limits.
§2724. Qualification; certified social worker A. No individual shall be eligible for certification by the board as a certified social worker unless the individual: (1) Is of good moral character and whose screening for criminal history pursuant to R.S. 37:2710 contains no disqualifying information. (2) Holds a master's degree from an accredited graduate school of social work. B.(1) The board may issue a social worker certificate to an individual who has completed all requirements for certification as a certified social worker. The individual may hold the certificate for no more than three years from the issuance of the original certificate. (2)(a) At the end of the three-year certification period, a certified social worker who has provided CPST services pursuant to R.S. 40:2162 and who meets all the qualifications for licensure as a licensed master's social worker except for the provisions of R.S. 37:2707(A)(3) shall petition the board at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the certificate for an extension of the certification for the limited purpose of providing CPST services as defined in R.S. 40:2162. (b) The petition to extend the certification shall include all of the following: (i) The amount of time requested for the extended certification, which shall not exceed three years from the expiration of the initial certification. (ii) The amount of time the petitioner has provided CPST services for a licensed and accredited provider. (iii) A signed statement from the petitioner's licensed clinical supervisor that supports the petition and confirms the intent for the supervisor to continue providing supervision. (iv) Any additional information requested by the board to appropriately evaluate the petition. (c) The board shall approve any petition that meets the criteria provided in this Paragraph. (d) The certified social worker shall be solely authorized to continue to provide CPST services for a licensed and accredited provider in accordance with R.S. 40:2162. (e) The certified social worker shall complete the continuing education required by R.S. 37:2714 and pay the annual certification renewal fee set forth in R.S. 37:2716. C. An individual certified as a certified social worker may engage in advanced social work practice based on the application of social work theory, knowledge, ethics, and methods to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The certified social worker practice requires the application of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills which include prevention or intervention, or both, service or treatment planning and evaluation, case management, information and referral, counseling, employee assistance services, addiction services, advocacy, teaching, research, supervision, consultation, community organization, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities. A social worker certified at the certified social worker level may practice clinical social work and psychotherapy within an agency under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. A certified social worker may work as an employee only in an agency setting, notwithstanding the definition of "agency" as defined in R.S. 37:2703(1) or the requirement for employment in an agency setting provided in this Subsection. Acts 2010, No. 880, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2021, No. 215, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022; Acts 2025, No. 431, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.