PURPOSE: This rule is promulgated pursuant to section 337.630.2(15), RSMo, and sets forth the ethical standards/disciplinary rules as they pertain to competence.

1. (1) A licensee shall:

   1. (A) Limit his/her practice to the area(s) for which he/she are trained;
   2. (B) Utilize consultation on an as-needed, self-determined basis; 337.630, RSMo 1989, amended 1997, 2007; 337.662,
   3. (C) Be knowledgeable about how and when RSMo 2001, amended 2007; and 337.665, RSMo 2001, to utilize the expertise of other professional amended 2004, 2007, 2018. disciplines for their clients;
   4. (D) Maintain accessibility to clients;
   5. (E) Make every effort to foster maximum self-determination on the part of the client;
   6. (F) Stress the personal risks involved in any services and help clients explore their readiness to face these risks;
   7. (G) Promote the welfare of clients in the selection, utilization, and interpretation of assessment measures and strategies of intervention;
   8. (H) Recognize the effects of socioeconomic, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and racial and cultural factors on clients in assessment and planning services;
   9. (I) Use careful deliberation before assuming responsibility for the client when a client’s judgment is seriously impaired. The client should resume responsibility for him/herself as quickly as possible;
   10. (J) Seek treatment for personal medical, substance abuse, psychological, and emotional problems to ensure that they do not interfere with their ability to provide services to clients; and
   11. (K) Take all necessary and reasonable steps to maintain continued competence in the practice of social work by completing at least thirty (30) clock hours of continuing education on or before the expiration of the license for each renewal period.
2. (2) A licensee shall not engage in the practice of social work beyond the scope of his/her competence, as is demonstrated by his/her education, training, or experience. A licensee shall make a referral to other professionals when the services required are beyond his/her competence.

AUTHORITY: sections 337.600 and 337.630, RSMo 2016, and sections 337.615, 337.618, 337.627, 337.662, and 337.665, RSMo Supp. 2019.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 263-3.140. Original rule filed Sept. 18, 1990, effective Feb. 14, 1991. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Dec. 30, 1998, effective July 30, 1999. Amended: Filed July 26, 1999, effective Jan. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed March 15, 2004, effective Sept. 30, 2004. Moved to 20 CSR 2263-3.140, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Aug. 27, 2009, effective April 30, 2010. Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 2019, effective Feb. 29, 2020. *Original authority: 337.600, RSMo 1989, amended 1995, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010; 337.615, RSMo 1989, amended 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2018; 337.618, RSMo 1989, amended 1997, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2018; 337.627, RSMo 1989, amended 1993, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2018;