Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 135 - RULES OF GEORGIA COMPOSITE BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS › Chapter 135-5 - REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE › Rule 135-5-.03 - Master's Social Workers

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
The Practice of Licensed Master's
			 Social Workers.
(a)
The Practice
			 of Licensed Master's Social Work.
A licensed Master's Social Worker may
			 render or offer to render to individuals, marriages, couples, families, groups,
			 organizations, governmental units, or the general public, service which is
			 guided by knowledge of social resources, social systems, and human behavior.
			 The licensee may provide evaluation, prevention and intervention services which
			 include but are not restricted to community organization, counseling
			 techniques, and supportive services such as administration, direction,
			 supervision of bachelor's level social workers, consultation, research or
			 education.
(b)
First Two
			 Years of Practice.
The first two years of practice after the issuance of
			 the Master of Social Work license shall be under direction and
			 supervision.
(c)
Practice
			 After Two Years of Experience.
After two years of Social Work practice
			 under direction and supervision,
the licensee
may engage in
			 private practice however, a master's licensee whose practice includes
			 counseling or psychotherapeutic techniques may only engage in such practice
			 under supervision and only for such period of time as is prescribed for
			 qualification to take the clinical social work licensing examination.
(d)
Private Practice by a Licensed
			 Master Social Worker After Qualifying for Clinical Social Work Licensure.
In order to continue in the private practice of social work that
			 includes counseling or psychotherapy, a licensed master's social worker must
			 apply for a Clinical Social Work license within 60 days of meeting the
			 experience and supervision requirements for that license. The licensee must
			 then take the first scheduled examination for which he/she qualifies, unless
			 good cause is shown for postponement, in which case the licensee shall take the
			 next scheduled examination. Upon receipt of notification that the licensee has
			 passed the Clinical Social Work licensing examination and after meeting all
			 requirements as prescribed in O.C.G.A.
			 43-10A-8 and 43-10A-72, the Board
			 will issue a Clinical Social Work license. If the Licensee fails the
			 examination, the Board shall require that the licensee's work remain supervised
			 until the applicant has taken and passed the examination. The exam must be
			 taken at the next scheduled exam date unless the Board, in its sole discretion,
			 approves the postponement for good cause. The exam may be taken a total of
			 three times. If the licensee fails the examination three times the licensee
			 shall not engage in the private practice of counseling or psychotherapy in the
			 State of Georgia until such time as he/she has taken and passed the
			 examination, absent a statutory exemption.