A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT Amending certain provisions to allow for provisional licensure of clinical social workers under the laws regulating the practice of social work.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 90B‑3 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"§ 90B‑3.  Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Chapter:
…
(7a)	Provisional Licensed Clinical Social Worker. – A person issued a provisional license to provide clinical social work services pursuant to G.S. 90B‑7(f).
…."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 90B‑6(i) reads as rewritten:
"(i)	The Board may order that any records concerning the practice of social work and relevant to a complaint received by the Board or an inquiry or investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Board shall be produced by the custodian of the records to the Board or for inspection and copying by representatives of or counsel to the Board. A social worker certified or licensed by the Board shall maintain records for a minimum of 10 years from the date the social worker terminates services to the client and the client services record is closed. A social worker certified or licensed by the Board shall cooperate fully and in a timely manner with the Board and its designated representatives in an inquiry or investigation of the records conducted by or on behalf of the Board."
SECTION 3.  G.S. 90B‑7(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	The Board may issue a provisional license in clinical social work to a person who has a masters or doctoral degree in a social work program from a college or university having a social work program approved by the Council on Social Work Education and desires to be licensed as a clinical social worker. The provisional license may not be issued for a period exceeding two years and the person issued the provisional license must practice under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or a Board‑approved alternate. Notwithstanding G.S. 90B‑6(g), a provisional licensee shall pass the qualifying clinical examination prescribed by the Board within two years to be eligible for renewal of the provisional license. The provisional licensee shall complete all requirements for full licensure within three renewal cycles, or a total of six years, unless otherwise directed by the Board."
SECTION 4.  G.S. 90B‑10(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The following may engage in clinical social work practice without meeting the requirements of G.S. 90B‑7(d):
	
(2)	A student completing a clinical requirement for graduation while pursuing a course of study in social work in an institution accredited by or in candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education.
			"
SECTION 5.  Chapter 90B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 90B‑15.  License or certificate to be displayed.
A person licensed or certified under this Chapter shall conspicuously display the license or certificate issued by the Board at the licensee's or certificate holder's primary place of practice."
SECTION 6.  This act is effective when it becomes law.