2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 90B - Social Worker Certification and Licensure Act › § 90B-3 - Definitions.

§ 90B-3. Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Chapter:
(1) Applicant. – An individual who has made application to the Board for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of any credential which the Board is authorized by law to issue.
(1a) Board. – The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.
(2) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-410, s. 8, effective August 23, 2013.
(3) Certified master social worker. – A person who is certified under this Chapter to practice social work as a master social worker and is engaged in the practice of social work.
(4) Certified social work manager. – A person who is certified under this Chapter to practice social work as a social work manager and is engaged in the practice of social work.
(5) Certified social worker. – A person who is certified under this Chapter to practice social work as a social worker and is engaged in the practice of social work.
(6) Clinical social work practice. – The professional application of social work theory and methods to the biopsychosocial diagnosis, treatment, or prevention, of emotional and mental disorders. Practice includes, by whatever means of communications, the treatment of individuals, couples, families, and groups, including the use of psychotherapy and referrals to and collaboration with other health professionals when appropriate. Clinical social work practice shall not include the provision of supportive daily living services to persons with severe and persistent mental illness as defined in G.S. 122C-3(33a).
(6a) Licensed clinical social worker. – A person who is competent to function independently, who holds himself or herself out to the public as a social worker, and who offers or provides clinical social work services or supervises others engaging in clinical social work practice.
(6b) Licensed clinical social worker associate. – A person issued an associate license to provide clinical social work services pursuant to G.S. 90B-7(f).
(7) Practice of social work. – To perform or offer to perform services, by whatever means of communications, for other people that involve the application of social work values, principles, and techniques in areas such as social work services, consultation and administration, and social work planning and research.
(7a) Social work continuing education. – Training that, in accordance with the requirements established by the Board pursuant to G.S. 90B-6(g), (i) fosters the enhancement of generalized or specialized social work practice, values, skills, or knowledge, and (ii) includes an element addressing how the knowledge and skills may be applied to the practice of social work.
(8) Social worker. – A person certified, licensed, or associate licensed by this Chapter or otherwise exempt under G.S. 90B-10, or a person who has earned a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree in social work from a social work program accredited by or in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education.
(9) Supervision. – The professional relationship between a supervisee and the supervisor in which a supervisor provides guidance, oversight, direction, and evaluation of the services provided by the supervisee in the professional application of social work practice as defined by law. Supervision is designed to promote responsibility, competency, and accountability, and to teach the skills and techniques associated with social work practice. (1983, c. 495, s. 1; 1991, c. 732, s. 1; 1999-313, s. 1; 2007-379, s. 1; 2009-88, s. 1; 2012-72, s. 2; 2013-410, s. 8; 2019-240, s. 10(a).)