37-39-308. Social work license required -- qualifications. (1) A person may not practice social work unless licensed under Title 37, chapter 1, and this chapter.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (6), an applicant for a clinical social work license must have:

(a) completed a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an approved program;

(b) successfully completed 3,000 hours of supervised social work practice; and

(c) passed an approved examination.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (8), an applicant for a master's social work license must have:

(a) completed a master's degree in an approved program;

(b) successfully completed the required hours of supervised social work practice as determined by board rule; and

(c) passed an approved examination.

(4) Except as provided in subsection (8), an applicant for a baccalaureate social work license must have:

(a) completed a bachelor's degree in social work from an approved program;

(b) successfully completed the required hours of supervised social work practice as determined by board rule; and

(c) passed an approved examination.

(5) A clinical social work licensee may engage in the independent practice of social work as defined in board rule.

(6) An applicant for a clinical social work license who has not completed the degree requirements of subsection (2)(a) may be licensed if the applicant meets requirements established by the board by rule for additional postdegree social work experience equivalent to the provisions of subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b).

(7) The supervised social work practice required by this section must be completed as provided in 37-39-307 and as prescribed by the board by rule.

(8) An individual who as of January 1, 2020, has the education required in subsection (3) or (4) and has engaged in the practice of social work for at least 4,000 hours aggregate during the period of January 1, 2018, to January 1, 2023, may apply for licensure as a baccalaureate or master's social worker without examination, without registering as a licensed social worker candidate, and without meeting the required supervised hours pursuant to subsection (3) or (4). To be eligible for licensure under this subsection, an individual shall demonstrate these requirements to the board on or before December 31, 2024.