To become a licensed master’s social worker, a person must meet character, education, and exam requirements. Licensed master’s social workers may do advanced practice, but employee work is limited to agency settings, with a stated exception for contractual services to government agencies.
§2707. Qualifications; licensed master's social worker A. No individual shall be eligible for licensure by the board as a licensed master's 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. (3) Has passed an examination approved by the board. B. An individual licensed as a licensed master's 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 licensed master's social worker's 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 licensed at the licensed master's social worker level may practice clinical social work and psychotherapy within an agency under the supervision, in-person or virtually, of a licensed clinical social worker. A licensed master's social worker may work as an employee only in an agency setting. Notwithstanding the definition of "agency" as defined in R.S. 37:2703 or the requirement for employment in an agency setting provided in this Subsection, a licensed master's social worker shall be permitted to provide social work services on behalf of a federal, state, or local governmental agency on a contractual basis. C - E. Repealed by Acts 2010, No. 880, §2, Jan. 1, 2011. Added by Acts 1972, No. 706, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1309, §7, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 595, §1; Acts 2004, No. 375, §1; Acts 2007, No. 436, §1; Acts 2010, No. 880, §§1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2024, No. 457, §1.