1. (a) An individual who applies for a license as a bachelor's degree social worker must meet the following requirements:

   1. (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has received a bachelor's degree in social work from:

      1. (A) an eligible postsecondary educational institution that is accredited or approved for candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education or approved by the board; or
      2. (B) a foreign school that has a program of study that is approved by the Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on Social Work Education.
   2. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a conviction for a crime that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently.
   3. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a social worker without endangering the public.
   4. (4) Pass an examination provided by the board.
   5. (5) Pay the fee established by the board.

2. (b) An individual who applies for a license as a bachelor's degree social worker under this article is exempt from the examination requirement under subsection (a)(4) if the individual does the following:

   1. (1) Furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has received a bachelor's degree in social work from:

      1. (A) an eligible postsecondary educational institution that is accredited or approved for candidacy by the council on social work education or approved by the board; or
      2. (B) a foreign school that has a program of study that is approved by the foreign equivalency determination service of the council on social work education.
   2. (2) Furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a conviction for a crime that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently.
   3. (3) Furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a social worker without endangering the public.
   4. (4) Has at least two (2) years of experience in behavioral health and human services.
   5. (5) Files an initial application to the board before July 1, 2018.
   6. (6) Pays the fee established by the board.
3. (c) An individual with a master's degree in social work is not eligible to apply for a license as a bachelor's degree social worker.
4. (d) Employment and supervision hours earned under a bachelor's degree social worker license may not be counted toward the requirements for eligibility as a licensed clinical social worker.

As added by P.L.192-2017, SEC.6.