Alabama Administrative Code › Title 850 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORK EXAMINERS › Chapter 850-X-2 - DEFINITIONS › Section 850-X-2-.02 - Classification Of Social Workers

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
The Board is required by statute to promulgate rules and
				regulations which set forth professional standards for the four classes of
				social worker. Alabama law recognizes four classes of Social Workers: Licensed
				Bachelor Social Worker; Licensed Master Social Worker; Licensed Independent
				Clinical Social Worker; Private Independent Practice.
(1) Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
			 The LBSW must have a baccalaureate degree in social work from an accredited
			 college or university whose social work program is approved or accredited by
			 the Council on Social Work Education. The candidate for the LBSW licensure must
			 pass an exam as prescribed by the Board, then the LBSW is prepared to assume
			 the beginning level professional role in public and private social service
			 agencies. The Board requires that the LBSW work under the continuing
			 supervision of a Board approved supervisor to include: licensed bachelor social
			 work, licensed master social worker or a licensed clinical independent social
			 worker for two (2) years obtaining a minimum 96 hours of supervision according
			 to section 850-X-03-.04. Further supervision is not required as long as the
			 LBSW remains in the same field of social work practice, job responsibilities
			 are similar, and holds a current license. Licensed Bachelor Social Workers are
			 prepared through beginning professional knowledge in human behavior in the
			 social environment, generalist social work practice, knowledge of the history
			 of social policy, knowledge of how to utilize social research finding in their
			 practice and having had supervised field practicum experience. The LBSW
			 provides generalist services in the role of social broker, enabler, counselor,
			 case manager, educator, client advocate and mediator. Licensed Bachelor Social
			 Workers may work with individuals, families, communities, groups and
			 organizations. Licensed Bachelor Social Workers may conduct psychosocial
			 assessments and may take social histories and/or conduct home studies. The LBSW
			 utilizes the basic problem-solving process of gathering information, assessing
			 that information at a beginning professional level, developing a plan of care,
			 then assuming the roles enumerated above, implements the plan and conducts
			 follow-up. A LBSW with five years post licensure experience who is a board
			 approved supervisor may supervise a LBSW toward their independent licensure
			 status. An LBSW may not prescribe medication. An LBSW may take verbal orders
			 from physicians only pertaining to social work practice.
(2) Licensed Master Social Worker
			 Non-Clinical and Clinical (LMSW) - The LMSW must have a master of social work
			 or a doctor of social work degree from a college or university approved or
			 accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The candidate for licensure
			 at the LMSW level must pass an exam as prescribed by the Board. An LMSW must
			 keep a current license. The LMSW must make a designation of non-clinical or
			 clinical upon receiving their license. The Board requires that the LMSW
			 Non-Clinical work under the continuing supervision of a Board approved
			 supervisor to include: licensed master social worker or a licensed independent
			 clinical social worker for two (2) years obtaining a minimum 96 hours of
			 supervision. The Board requires that the LMSW Clinical work under the
			 continuing supervision of a Board approved supervisor to include: licensed
			 independent clinical social worker for two (2) years obtaining a minimum 96
			 hours of supervision. An LMSW provides a wide range of services. The LMSW has
			 preparation as a generalist social worker, knowledge of the history of social
			 policy, knowledge of how to utilize social research finding in their practice
			 and having had supervised field practicum experience with additional
			 specialization in either direct or indirect services such as work in a field of
			 practice or with a specific population. The LMSW may evaluate and assess
			 difficulties in psychosocial functioning, develop a plan to alleviate those
			 difficulties and either carry out the plan or refer clients to other qualified
			 resources for assistance. An LMSW may provide preventive and treatment services
			 pertaining to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
			 The LMSW should be able to engage the client system, develop a relationship and
			 employ a series of interventions that modify or eliminate targeted behaviors
			 and can promote positive growth and development. The LMSW can explain and
			 interpret the results of social evaluations in the problem-solving process. A
			 LMSW Non-Clinical with three years post licensure experience who is a board
			 approved supervisor may supervise a LBSW and a LMSW Non-Clinical toward their
			 independent licensure status. A LMSW Clinical with three years post licensure
			 experience who is a board approved supervisor may supervise a LBSW toward their
			 independent licensure status. The LMSW Non-Clinical is able to practice in
			 social casework, community organization, social work research, and social work
			 administration. The LMSW Clinical may practice in all the aforementioned areas
			 to include clinical. An LMSW may not prescribe medication An LMSW may take
			 verbal orders from physicians only pertaining to social work
			 practice.
(3) Licensed Independent
			 Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) - The LICSW must have a master of social work or
			 a doctor of social work degree from a college or university approved or
			 accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and hold a current LMSW
			 license. The LICSW must have received a minimum of 96 hours or more of
			 postgraduate continuing clinical supervision provided by a board approved
			 supervisors LICSW and not less than 3,000 work hours prior to application for
			 the LICSW exam. This may be pursued concurrently. The LICSW candidate must pass
			 an exam as prescribed by the Board. The LICSW should be able to exercise
			 independent judgment. The LICSW should be able to demonstrate skill and
			 interventions directly related to individuals, families, groups, communities,
			 or organizations. In at least one of these client groups, the LICSW shall
			 demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills. The LICSW should be able to employ
			 practice theory and research findings in all aspects of their practice. The
			 LICSW may supervise Licensed Bachelor Social Workers and Licensed Master Social
			 Workers toward their independent licensure status. An LICSW may not prescribe
			 medication. An LICSW may take verbal orders from physicians only pertaining to
			 social work practice. An LICSW may engage in the private practice of social
			 work in all areas except for social case work.
(4) Private Independent Practice (PIP) -
			 Private practice of social work means that portion of social work practice in
			 which a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker is engaged in the private
			 practice of social work services which includes practicing as an independent
			 contractor in social casework.
(a) The
			 applicant for certification for private independent practice in the area of
			 social casework must present verifiable information regarding the appropriate
			 degree, experience as defined in this section and appropriate supervision. The
			 LICSW applying for PIP certification in the area of social casework only must
			 have:
1. a current LICSW license;
2. three (3) years full-time or five (5)
			 years part-time postgraduate experience and legally practicing in the specified
			 social work method of social casework. For purposes of this section, the term
			 "postgraduate" refers to that portion of experience acquired after having
			 received one's master or doctoral degree in social work; or
3. one (1) year full-time or two (2) years
			 part-time postgraduate experience in the specified social work method of social
			 casework after receiving the LICSW.