LAC 46:XXV.305. Qualifications for Registration, Certification, Licensure

A. Registered Social Worker (RSW) 1. Must be of good moral character. As one element of good moral character, the board shall require each applicant to submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining state and federal criminal records check, pursuant to authorizing state statute and applicable federal law. The state agency responsible for managing fingerprint data may submit fingerprints to and exchange data with the FBI. All good moral character information, including the information obtained through criminal records checks, shall be considered in licensure decisions to the extent permissible by all applicable laws. 2. The applicant shall have his/her university submit official transcript indicating the receipt of a bachelor of social work, bachelor of arts, or bachelor of science degree from an undergraduate social work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or a master's degree of social work from a graduate social work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. B. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) 1. Must be of good moral character. As one element of good moral character, the board shall require each applicant to submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining state and federal criminal records check, pursuant to authorizing state statute and applicable federal law. The state agency responsible for managing fingerprint data may submit fingerprints to and exchange data with the FBI. All good moral character information, including the information obtained through criminal records checks, shall be considered in licensure decisions to the extent permissible by all applicable laws. 2. The applicant shall have his/her university submit official transcript indicating the receipt of a master's degree of social work from a graduate social work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 3. The applicant shall obtain a passing score on an examination approved by the board. C. Certified Social Worker (CSW) 1. The board may issue certification to an applicant who meets all requirements for the LMSW except for passing the examination approved by the board. 2. The individual may hold the certification for up to three years from the date of issuance of the original certificate. 3. The CSW who does not pass the examination for the LMSW within three years from the date of issuance of the original certification may apply for the registered social work credential. D. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 1. The applicant must be of good moral character. As one element of good moral character, the board shall require each applicant to submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining state and federal criminal records check, pursuant to authorizing state statute and applicable federal law. The state agency responsible for managing fingerprint data may submit fingerprints to and exchange data with the FBI. All good moral character information, including the information obtained through criminal records checks, shall be considered in licensure decisions to the extent permissible by all applicable laws. 2. The applicant shall have his/her university submit official transcript indicating the receipt of a master's degree of social work from a graduate social work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 3. All applicants beginning supervision on or after January 1, 2022, shall submit documentation verifying at least 3000 hours of supervised postgraduate social work practice that complies with R.S. 37:2708(A)(3) on a form provided by the board. Applicants beginning supervision before January 1, 2022, shall comply with the version of this Part and R.S. 37:2708 in effect at the time their supervision began. 4. Supervised experience shall be under the supervision of a board-approved clinical supervisor. 5. The applicant shall obtain a passing score on an examination approved by the board. E. Licensing of Qualified Military-trained Applicants and Spouses of Military Personnel 1. A military-trained social worker is eligible for registration, certification or licensure as an RSW, LMSW, CSW or LCSW (applicable social work credential) as provided for in Subsections A-D of this Section provided the applicant: a. has completed a military program of training in social work and has been awarded a military occupational specialty or similar official designation as a social worker with qualifications which are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements of the applicable social work credential which is the subject of the application; b. has performed social work services in active practice at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements of the applicable social work credential which is the subject of the application; c. has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act which would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice social work in this state at the time the act was committed; and d. has not received a dishonorable discharge from military service. 2. A military-trained social worker, who has not been awarded a military occupational specialty or other official designation as a social worker, who nevertheless holds a current license, certification or registration for the practice of social work from another jurisdiction, which jurisdiction’s requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for the applicable social work credential for which he or she is applying, is eligible for licensure, certification or registration by reciprocity or endorsement pursuant to §319 provided the applicant: a. has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act which would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice social work in this state at the time the act was committed; and b. has not received a dishonorable discharge from military service. 3. A spouse of a member of the active-duty military forces or a spouse of a former member of the military forces who has not received a dishonorable discharge and who holds a current license, certification or registration for the practice of social work from another jurisdiction, which jurisdiction’s requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for the applicable social work credential for which he or she is applying, is eligible for licensure, certification or registration by reciprocity or endorsement pursuant to §319 provided the applicant: a. has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act which would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice social work in this state at the time the act was committed; and b. is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency that issued the license, certification, or permit. 4. The procedures governing the applications of military-trained applicants and applicants who are spouses of military personnel, including the issuance and duration of temporary practice permits and priority processing of applications, are provided for in Subsection §309 R.