PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the ethical standards/disciplinary rules as they pertain to public statements/fees.

1. (1) A member of the profession shall not—

   1. (A) Give or receive a commission or rebate or any other form of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services;
   2. (B) Engage in fraud or misrepresentation;
   3. (C) Use relationships with therapeutic or therapy clients to promote, for personal gain or the profit of an agency, commercial enterprises of any kind; and
   4. (D) Render services until assured that clients are aware of the fees and billing arrangements.
2. (2) A member of the profession shall use only those educational credentials in association with his/her license and practice as a licensed social worker that have been earned at an acceptable educational institution. A member of the profession shall not misrepresent their credentials, training, or level of education.
3. (3) A licensed social worker holder shall use his/her title (i.e., “licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)” or “licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW)”) in any advertising, public directory, or solicitation, including telephone directory listings, regardless of whether this presentment is made under the licensee’s name, a fictitious business or group name, or a corporate name.
4. (4) A member of the profession shall have his/her license prominently displayed at all times as proof of licensure to the client.
5. (5) Social workers whose licenses have lapsed or been revoked shall not hold themselves out to be currently licensed (i.e., “licensed clinical social worker”).
6. (6) A member of the profession shall not accept compensation for the professional services from anyone other than the client without disclosure to the client or his/her legal guardian.
7. (7) A member of the profession shall not accept for professional services any form of remuneration including the bartering of services which has the effect of exploiting the professional relationship or creating a dual or multiple relationship.
8. (8) A member of the profession shall consider the value of his/her services and the financial ability of clients in establishing reasonable fees for professional services.
9. (9) A member of the profession shall not accept a fee for professional services or any form of remuneration from clients who are entitled to services through an institution or agency or other benefits structure, unless clients have been fully informed of the availability of, or payments for, these services from other sources.

AUTHORITY: sections 337.600, 337.615, 337.627, 337.630, and 337.665, RSMo Supp. 2009.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 263-3.080. Original rule filed Sept. 18, 1990, effective Feb. 14, 1991. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Dec. 30, 1998, effective July 30, 1999. Amended: Filed June 25, 2004, effective Dec. 30, 2004. Moved to 20 CSR 2263-3.080, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Aug. 27, 2009, effective April 30, 2010.

*Original authority: 337.600, RSMo 1989, amended 1995, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009; 337.615, RSMo 1989, amended 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007; 337.627, RSMo 1989, amended 1993, 1995, 1997, 2007; 337.630, RSMo 1989, amended 1997, 2007; and 337.665, RSMo 2001, amended 2004, 2007.