An Act to Improve the Licensing Procedure for Certain Social Workers by Removing the Examination Requirement (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1990
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, ARFORD, BOYER, CRAFTS, DHALAC, BRENNER
Amends: 32 MRSA §7030, 32 MRSA §7051, 32 MRSA §7053, 32 MRSA §7060

Legislative Document
No. 1990
H.P. 1273
House of Representatives, May 23, 2023
An Act to Improve the Licensing Procedure for Certain Social 
Workers by Removing the Examination Requirement
(AFTER DEADLINE)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Cosponsored by Representatives: ARFORD of Brunswick, BOYER of Poland, CRAFTS of 
Newcastle, DHALAC of South Portland, Senator: BRENNER of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  32 MRSA §7030, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. V, §6, is 
further amended to read:
1.  Licenses.  The board shall evaluate the qualifications for licensure under this chapter 
and approve the examination to be taken by applicants for licensure as licensed clinical 
social workers under this chapter.
Sec. 2.  32 MRSA §7051, 2nd ¶, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 736, §9, is amended to 
read:
The board may grant a conditional license to any person eligible to take the 
examination for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker while waiting to sit for the 
examination or to any person who is waiting to retake the examination according to rules 
issued by the board.
Sec. 3.  32 MRSA §7053, first ¶, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. V, §7, is 
further amended to read:
To be eligible for a license to practice social work at any level, an applicant must be at 
least 18 years of age and, for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker, must 
satisfactorily pass any examination as the board may prescribe by its rules. Each applicant 
must demonstrate trustworthiness and competence to engage in the practice of social work 
in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public.  Applications for licensure must 
be submitted to the board together with the fee as set under section 7056.
Sec. 4.  32 MRSA §7053, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 211, §2, is amended 
to read:
2-A.  Licensed master social worker.  As a licensed master social worker, an applicant 
must have received either a masters or doctoral degree in social work or social welfare from 
an accredited educational institution, and must have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the 
board adherence to the ethics of the social work profession and must have successfully 
completed the examination prescribed by the board. After meeting these qualifications, the 
applicant must receive a "licensed master social worker" license. In addition, any person 
wishing to practice social work in a clinical setting must receive a "licensed master social 
worker, conditional" license.
This subsection takes effect July 1, 2005.
Sec. 5.  32 MRSA §7053, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2009, c. 112, Pt. A, §13, is 
further amended to read:
3.  Requirements to be a licensed social worker.  To be qualified to be licensed as a 
social worker an applicant must meet one of the following requirements:
A.  The applicant must have received a bachelor's degree or higher in social work or 
social welfare from an accredited educational institution; and demonstrated to the 
satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social worker profession; and 
successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board; or
B.  The applicant must have received a conditional license as a licensed social worker 
in accordance with subsection 3‑B; and completed the requirements for consultation 
and contact hours in accordance with subsection 3‑C, paragraph B and subsection 3‑D; 
and successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board.
Sec. 6.  32 MRSA §7060, first ¶, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. V, §15, is 
further amended to read:
A license renewal fee as set under section 7056 must be paid by the licensee.  Licenses 
expire biennially on December 31st or at such other times as the Commissioner of 
Professional and Financial Regulation may designate.   Each renewal is contingent upon 
evidence of participation in a continuing professional education course or program as 
approved by the board.  A license may be renewed up to 90 days after the date of expiration 
upon payment of a late fee in addition to the renewal fee as set under section 7056.  Any 
person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the renewal date is 
subject to all requirements governing new applicants under this chapter, except that the 
board may in its discretion, giving due consideration to the protection of the public, waive 
examination for a licensed clinical social worker if the renewal application is received, 
together with the late fee and renewal fee, within 2 years from the date of the expiration.
SUMMARY
This bill removes the requirement that a person pass an examination in order to be 
qualified for licensure as a licensed master social worker, a licensed social worker or a 
licensed master social worker, conditional.