BILL AS INTRODUCED H.322
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H.322 1
Introduced by Representatives Rachelson of Burlington and Cina of 2
Burlington 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Professional regulation; social workers; licensure 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to prohibit the 7
use of a person’s name or advertising services in connection with the title 8
“social worker” unless the individual is licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 61. 9
It further proposes to specify that the Council of Social Work Education 10
accredits social work programs for the purpose of licensure under 26 V.S.A. 11
chapter 61. 12
An act relating to social worker licensure requirements 13
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 14
Sec. 1. 26 V.S.A. § 3202 is amended to read: 15
§ 3202. PROHIBITION; OFFENSES 16
(a) A person shall not practice or attempt to practice licensed independent 17
clinical social work or licensed master’s social work, nor shall any person use 18
in connection with the person’s name any letters, words, or insignia indicating 19
or implying that the person is a licensed independent clinical social worker or a 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.322
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licensed master’s social worker unless the person is licensed in accordance 1
with this chapter. 2
(b) A person who violates any of the provisions of subsection (a) of this 3
section shall be subject to the penalties provided in 3 V.S.A. § 127. Unless a 4
person has earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a social work 5
program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education or its successor, 6
the person shall not: 7
(1) use the title “social worker” or any initials associated with the title; 8
or 9
(2) advertise services under the description of “social worker.” 10
(c) A Neither a State agency or a subdivision or contractor thereof, nor a 11
private entity, shall not use or permit the use of the title “social worker” other 12
than in relation to an employee holding a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral 13
degree from an accredited school or program of a social work program 14
accredited by the Council of Social Work Education or its successor. 15
(d) A person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be 16
subject to the penalties provided in 3 V.S.A. § 127. 17
Sec. 2. 26 V.S.A. § 3205 is amended to read: 18
§ 3205. LICENSED MASTER’S SOCIAL WORKER ELIGIBILITY 19
To be eligible for licensing as a licensed master’s social worker, an 20
applicant must have: 21 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.322
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(1) received a master’s degree or doctoral degree from an accredited 1
social work education program a social work program accredited by the 2
Council of Social Work Education or its successor; and 3
(2) within five years prior to applying for licensure, passed the 4
examinations designated by the Director. 5
Sec. 3. 26 V.S.A. § 3205a is amended to read: 6
§ 3205a. LICENSED INDEPENDENT CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER 7
ELIGIBILITY 8
(a) To be eligible for licensure as a licensed independent clinical social 9
worker, an applicant must have: 10
(1) received a master’s degree or doctoral degree from an accredited 11
social work education program a social work program accredited by the 12
Council of Social Work Education or its successor; 13
* * * 14
Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE 15
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 16