Printed on recycled paper
131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2023
Legislative Document No. 1990H.P. 1273House of Representatives, May 23, 2023
An Act to Improve the Licensing Procedure for Certain Social
Workers by Removing the Examination Requirement
(AFTER DEADLINE)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule
205.
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and
Business suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Cosponsored by Representatives: ARFORD of Brunswick, BOYER of Poland, CRAFTS of
Newcastle, DHALAC of South Portland, Senator: BRENNER of Cumberland. Page 1 - 131LR2409(01)
1
2 as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. V, §6, is
3 further amended to read:
4
5 and approve the examination to be taken by applicants for licensure as licensed clinical
6 social workers under this chapter.
7 as enacted by PL 1985, c. 736, §9, is amended to
8 read:
9 The board may grant a conditional license to any person eligible to take the
10 examination for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker while waiting to sit for the
11 examination or to any person who is waiting to retake the examination according to rules
12 issued by the board.
13 as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. V, §7, is
14 further amended to read:
15 To be eligible for a license to practice social work at any level, an applicant must be at
16 least 18 years of age and, for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker, must
17 satisfactorily pass any examination as the board may prescribe by its rules. Each applicant
18 must demonstrate trustworthiness and competence to engage in the practice of social work
19 in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public. Applications for licensure must
20 be submitted to the board together with the fee as set under section 7056.
21 as enacted by PL 2003, c. 211, §2, is amended
22 to read:
23
24 must have received either a masters or doctoral degree in social work or social welfare from
25 an accredited educational institution, and must have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the
26 board adherence to the ethics of the social work profession and must have successfully
27 completed the examination prescribed by the board. After meeting these qualifications, the
28 applicant must receive a "licensed master social worker" license. In addition, any person
29 wishing to practice social work in a clinical setting must receive a "licensed master social
30 worker, conditional" license.
31 This subsection takes effect July 1, 2005.
32 as amended by PL 2009, c. 112, Pt. A, §13, is
33 further amended to read:
34
35 social worker an applicant must meet one of the following requirements:
36 A. The applicant must have received a bachelor's degree or higher in social work or
37 social welfare from an accredited educational institution; and demonstrated to the
38 satisfaction of the board adherence to the ethics of the social worker profession; and
39 successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board; or
40 B. The applicant must have received a conditional license as a licensed social worker
41 in accordance with subsection 3‑B; and completed the requirements for consultation Page 2 - 131LR2409(01)
42 and contact hours in accordance with subsection 3‑C, paragraph B and subsection 3‑D;
43 and successfully completed the examination prescribed by the board.
3
4 further amended to read:
5 A license renewal fee as set under section 7056 must be paid by the licensee. Licenses
6 expire biennially on December 31st or at such other times as the Commissioner of
7 Professional and Financial Regulation may designate. Each renewal is contingent upon
8 evidence of participation in a continuing professional education course or program as
9 approved by the board. A license may be renewed up to 90 days after the date of expiration
10 upon payment of a late fee in addition to the renewal fee as set under section 7056. Any
11 person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the renewal date is
12 subject to all requirements governing new applicants under this chapter, except that the
13 board may in its discretion, giving due consideration to the protection of the public, waive
14 examination for a licensed clinical social worker if the renewal application is received,
15 together with the late fee and renewal fee, within 2 years from the date of the expiration.
16
17 This bill removes the requirement that a person pass an examination in order to be
18 qualified for licensure as a licensed master social worker, a licensed social worker or a
19 licensed master social worker, conditional.
1
2
17
18
19