HB 1213: Relating to social worker licensing

This bill requires that an advanced social worker associate or independent clinical licensed social worker associate complete a training program in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. “Advanced social work” is amended to include psychotherapy under the supervision of a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse, or other mental health professionals as may be defined by rules adopted by the secretary.  “Associate” means a pre-licensure candidate who has a graduate degree in a mental health field and is working toward licensure. An associate license may be renewed for no more than six times, provided that the applicant has successfully completed eighteen hours of continuing education in the preceding year. Beginning with the second renewal, at least six of the continuing education hours in the preceding two years must be in professional ethics.