200-RICR-20-20-1. Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island (version Adoption, 09/08/2005 to 07/14/2010)

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER The School Social Worker certificate is valid for service as a School Social Worker in grades PK-12. • Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (CEE) – valid for three (3) years The initial certificate in Rhode Island for all areas of certification is a CEE. The CEE is used to seek regular employment in the schools of Rhode Island for the field identified on the CEE. The CEE is also valid for service as a substitute teacher. If regular employment is not secured in the three (3) year period, the CEE can be renewed every three (3) years (SEE NOTE ONE) until regular employment is secured. To be issued a CEE as a school social worker an individual needs to satisfy all of the following: • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited or an approved institution of higher education as defined in these regulations. • A Master’s Degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. • Licensed as a certified Social Worker by the Rhode Island State Board of Registration for Social Workers. • PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE - valid for five (5) years* • The professional certificate is issued to individuals who secure regular employment in the schools of Rhode Island. Upon securing regular employment in Rhode Island, the CEE is used to request a five (5) year professional certificate. When applying for a five (5) year professional certificate the applicant must submit the CEE along with documentation from the employing authority that regular employment has been secured in the certification area of the CEE. Upon securing regular employment, the educator must write and get approved a five (5) year Individual Professional Development Plan (I-Plan). • The professional certificate may be renewed every five (5) years upon the successful completion of an (I-Plan) that has been approved by the I-Plan Review Panel. Individuals who have not served as a school social worker in Rhode Island for the five (5) year period are entitled to an extension to the professional certificate (SEE NOTE TWO) at the end of each five (5) year period without the completion of an I-Plan. NOTE ONE (1): Individuals who do not renew their CEE within six (6) months from the date of expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate the expired certificate. NOTE TWO (2): The five (5) year professional certificate requires the successful completion of an I-Plan every five years for renewal for individuals who have been in regular employment for the five-year term of the certificate. To be entitled to an extension of the professional certificate without the completion of an I-Plan, educators must document their employment history during the previous five (5) years. Educators holding regular employment who serve for less than 135 days during any school year are entitled to a one (1) year extension of the professional certificate for each year of service less than 135 days to complete their I-Plan. Educators who leave regular employment during the term of the professional certificate are also entitled to an extension of the professional certificate for the number of years not engaged in regular employment. Educators who return to regular employment, must modify, if appropriate, the I-Plan on record and complete the five (5) year I-Plan during the remaining term of the extended certificate. Individuals who do not renew their Professional Certificate within six (6) months from the date of expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate the expired certificate. *Continued service as a School Social Worker in the public schools of Rhode Island requires that the individual maintain his/her license as a certified Social Worker as required by the Rhode Island State Board of Registration of Social Workers. Effective January 1, 2005