1. (a) If an administrative delay for any reason or an unforeseen circumstance, act, or occurrence prevents an examination required under this subtitle from being available to an applicant for a period of at least 15 business days, the Board may issue a conditional license to an applicant who, except for passing the examination, has met the appropriate education and experience requirements of this subtitle for a license issued under § 19-302 of this subtitle to practice:

   1. (1) Bachelor social work; or
   2. (2) Master social work.
2. (b) A conditional license issued under this section authorizes the holder to practice social work in the State only under the supervision of a Board-approved supervisor while the conditional license is effective.
3. (c) A conditional license is valid until 180 days after the examination becomes readily available to the applicant.

4. (d) On or before December 31 each year, beginning in 2024, the Board shall report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the following information for the immediately preceding 12-month period:

   1. (1) Whether the examination was unavailable at any time during the reporting period; and

   2. (2) If the examination was unavailable:

      1. (i) The number of applicants who were eligible for a conditional license due to the unavailability of the examination;
      2. (ii) The number of applicants who applied to take the examination;
      3. (iii) The number of applications that were delayed in processing; and
      4. (iv) The number of conditional licenses issued under this section.

Added by Acts 2023, c. 317, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2023.