(a) Practice of Baccalaureate Social Work--Applying
social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics and the professional
use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or bio-psychosocial
functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations
and communities. Baccalaureate Social Work is generalist practice
and may include interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention,
evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, supportive counseling,
direct practice, information and referral, problem solving, supervision,
consultation, education, advocacy, community organization, and policy
and program development, implementation, and administration.
(b) Practice of Independent Non-Clinical Baccalaureate
Social Work--An LBSW recognized for independent practice, known as
LBSW-IPR, may provide any non-clinical baccalaureate social work services
in either an employment or an independent practice setting. An LBSW-IPR
may work under contract, bill directly for services, and bill third
parties for reimbursements for services. An LBSW-IPR must restrict
his or her independent practice to providing non-clinical social work
services.
(c) Practice of Master's Social Work--Applying social
work theory, knowledge, methods and ethics and the professional use
of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or bio-psychosocial
functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations
and communities. An LMSW may practice clinical social work in an agency
employment setting under clinical supervision, under a supervision
plan, or under contract with an agency when under a clinical supervision
plan. Master's Social Work practice may include applying specialized
knowledge and advanced practice skills in assessment, treatment, planning,
implementation and evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling,
supportive counseling, direct practice, information and referral,
supervision, consultation, education, research, advocacy, community
organization and developing, implementing and administering policies,
programs and activities. An LMSW may engage in Baccalaureate Social
Work practice.
(d) Advanced Non-Clinical Practice of LMSWs--An LMSW
recognized as an Advanced Practitioner (LMSW-AP) may provide any non-clinical
social work services in either an employment or an independent practice
setting. An LMSW-AP may work under contract, bill directly for services,
and bill third parties for reimbursements for services. An LMSW-AP
must restrict his or her practice to providing non-clinical social
work services.
(e) Independent Practice for LMSWs--An LMSW recognized
for independent practice may provide any non-clinical social work
services in either an employment or an independent practice setting.
This licensee is designated as LMSW-IPR. An LMSW-IPR may work under
contract, bill directly for services, and bill third parties for reimbursements
for services. An LMSW-IPR must restrict his or her independent practice
to providing non-clinical social work services.
(f) Practice of Clinical Social Work--The practice
of social work that requires applying social work theory, knowledge,
methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance
social, psychosocial, or bio-psychosocial functioning of individuals,
couples, families, groups, and/or persons who are adversely affected
by social or psychosocial stress or health impairment. The practice
of clinical social work requires applying specialized clinical knowledge
and advanced clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment
of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions,
including severe mental illness and serious emotional disturbances
in adults, adolescents, and children. The clinical social worker may
engage in Baccalaureate Social Work practice and Master's Social Work
practice. Clinical treatment methods may include but are not limited
to providing individual, marital, couple, family, and group therapy,
mediation, counseling, supportive counseling, direct practice, and
psychotherapy. Clinical social workers are qualified and authorized
to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM),
the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural
Terminology (CPT) Codes, and other diagnostic classification systems
in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and other practice activities.
An LCSW may provide any clinical or non-clinical social work service
or supervision in either an employment or independent practice setting.
An LCSW may work under contract, bill directly for services, and bill
third parties for service reimbursements.
(g) A licensee who is not recognized for independent
practice or who is not under a non-clinical supervision plan must
not engage in any independent practice that falls within the definition
of social work practice in §781.102 of this title (relating to
Definitions) without being licensed and recognized by the Council,
unless the person is licensed in another profession and acting solely
within the scope of that license. If the person is practicing professionally
under another license, the person may not use the titles "licensed
clinical social worker," "licensed master social worker," "licensed
social worker," or "licensed baccalaureate social worker," or any
other title or initials that imply social work licensure unless one
holds the appropriate license or independent practice recognition.
(h) An LBSW or LMSW who is not recognized for independent
practice may not provide direct social work services to clients from
a location that she or he owns or leases and that is not owned or
leased by an employer or other legal entity with responsibility for
the client. This does not preclude in-home services such as in-home
health care or the use of electronic media to provide services in
an emergency.
(i) An LBSW or LMSW who is not recognized for independent
practice may practice for remuneration in a direct employment or agency
setting but may not work independently, bill directly to patients
or bill directly to third party payers, unless the LBSW or LMSW is
under a formal supervision plan.
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