(a) As used in this section, acceptable accrediting agency shall mean an organization accepted by the department as a reliable authority for the purpose of accreditation at the postsecondary level, applying its criteria for granting accreditation of social work programs in a fair, consistent, and nondiscriminatory manner, such as the Council on Social Work Education, its successors, or an equivalent agency.

1. (1) a program in social work that is registered as leading to licensure in licensed master social work by the department pursuant to section 52.30 of this Title or a program in social work that is accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency or an equivalent social work program; or

2. (2) a program in social work located outside the United States and its territories that is recognized by the appropriate civil authorities of the jurisdiction in which the program is located as a program that prepares an applicant for the professional practice of social work, has been verified in accordance with section 59.2(c) of this Title, and which is determined by the department to have substantial equivalence to a program in social work registered as licensure qualifying for licensure as a licensed master social worker by the department pursuant to section 52.30 of this Title or to a program accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency.

   (c) Education requirement for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker.

3. (1) To meet the professional education requirement for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker, the candidate shall present satisfactory evidence of having received a master's degree, or its equivalent in social work through completion of:

   1. (i) a program in social work that is registered as leading to licensure in licensed clinical social work by the department pursuant to section 52.30 of this Title or an equivalent social work program, provided the candidate satisfactorily demonstrates completion of coursework prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subdivision; or
   2. (ii) a program in social work that is accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency, provided the candidate satisfactorily demonstrates completion of coursework prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subdivision; or
   3. (iii) a program in social work located outside the United States and its territories that is recognized by the appropriate civil authorities of the jurisdiction in which the program is located as a program that prepares an applicant for the professional practice of social work, has been verified in accordance with section 59.2(c) of this Title, and which is determined by the department to have substantial equivalence to a program in social work registered as leading to licensure in licensed clinical social work by the department pursuant to section 52.30 of this Title or to a program in social work accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency, provided the candidate satisfactorily demonstrates completion of coursework prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subdivision.

4. (2) Clinical content.

   1. (i) A applicant must demonstrate satisfactory completion of at least 12 semester hours or the equivalent of coursework that prepares the individual to practice as a licensed clinical social worker, by providing clinical content which emphasizes the person-in-environment perspective and knowledge and skills in the following:

      1. (a) diagnosis and assessment in clinical social work practice;
      2. (b) clinical social work treatment; and
      3. (c) clinical social work practice with general and special populations.
   2. (ii) The clinical content prescribed in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph must be coursework offered in a program prescribed in paragraph (1) of this subdivision. Such coursework may be taken as part of the master's degree program in social work that the candidate has completed or after completion of such program to remedy deficiencies in clinical content.

(b) Education requirement for licensure as a licensed master social worker.

To meet the professional education requirement for licensure as a licensed master social worker, the applicant shall present satisfactory evidence of having received a master's degree, or its equivalent, in social work through completion of: