The State Board of Social Work Examiners shall issue a license as a “licensed bachelor social worker,” a “licensed master social worker,” or a “licensed independent clinical social worker” to an applicant who satisfies all of the following requirements:

1. (1) Is at least 19 years of age.
2. (2) Has paid an initial examination fee established by the board.
3. (3) Has passed an examination prepared by the state board for that purpose.
4. (4) Has ascribed to a professional code of ethics developed and adopted by the board.

5. (5) Meets all of the following additional requirements for the level at which they are applying to be licensed:

   1. a. Bachelor social worker:

      1. 1. Has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university including completion of a social work program. At the end of five years from June 8, 1984, applicants who then apply shall have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, including completion of a social work program approved, accredited, or in candidacy granted by the Council on Social Work Education.
      2. 2. For a period of six years from May 23, 1977, an applicant may be licensed who has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and has successfully completed two years of full-time continuous employment in a social work position under supervision approved by the board; or
      3. 3. Until March 1, 1996, an applicant may be licensed who has a bachelor’s degree in social work or a bachelor’s degree in a human services field such as sociology, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, and guidance counseling.
   2. b. Master social worker: Has a Master of Social Work or a Doctor of Social Work from a college or university approved, accredited, or in candidacy granted by the Council on Social Work Education.

   3. c. Independent clinical social worker:

      1. 1. Has a Master of Social Work or a Doctor of Social Work from a college or university approved, accredited, or in candidacy granted by the Council on Social Work Education.
      2. 2. Has had at least two years of post-master or doctorate experience in the practice of social work under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker.
6. (6) Is a United States citizen or, if not a citizen of the United States, a person who is legally present in the United States with appropriate documentation from the federal government.

(Acts 1977, No. 652, p. 1102, §5; Acts 1984, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 84-730, p. 65, §1; Acts 1992, No. 92-121, p. 204, §3; Acts 1994, No. 94-639, p. 1199, §1; Acts 1995, No. 95-768, p. 1815, §1; Act 2008-136, p. 204, §3; Act 2016-313, §1.)