In addition, this definition shall not be construed to permit any person licensed, provisionally licensed, registered, or certified pursuant to this chapter to describe or label any test, report, or procedure as psychological, except to relate specifically to the definition of practice authorized in this subsection. Clinical social worker means a person licensed under this chapter to practice clinical social work. Clinical social work experience is defined as a period during which the applicant provides clinical social work services, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of clients; provided that at least 50 percent of the hours worked consist of providing psychotherapy and counseling services directly to clients. 19, 20, ch. Chapter 491 Section 003 - 2018 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate The applicant has had at least 3 years experience, as defined by rule, including, but not limited to, clinical services or administrative activities as defined in subsection (2), 2 years of which must be at the post-masters level under the supervision of a person who meets the education and experience requirements for certification as a certified master social worker, as defined by rule, or licensure as a clinical social worker under this chapter. The practice of clinical social work includes, but is not limited to, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and sex therapy. It shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for a person, for or without compensation, to hold himself or herself out to the public as a social worker either directly or through a governmental or private organization, entity, or agency unless that person: Possesses at least a bachelors or masters degree in social work from a social work program accredited by or from an institution that is an active candidate for accreditation as a social work program by the Council on Social Work Education; or. Please visit our website at floridasmentalhealthprofessio for a copy of the agenda and information to attend the meeting. 491.0046 Provisional license; requirements. Florida offers a provisional clinical social worker license (PCLW) for those who are well on their way to meeting the requirements to become a licensed clinical social worker but still have some work left to do. 97-264; s. 166, ch. Youll need to choose one thats accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 13, 20, ch. A minimum of one supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience in a marriage and family counseling setting, during which the student provided 180 direct client contact hours of marriage and family therapy services under the supervision of an individual who met the requirements for supervision under paragraph (c). 1. An individual who intends to practice in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must register pursuant to s. 491.0045 prior to commencing practice. ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter. 1. 14, 19, 20, ch. Any person who holds a masters degree in social work from institutions outside the United States may apply to the department for certification if the academic training in social work has been evaluated as equivalent to a degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The purpose of such services is the prevention and treatment of undesired behavior and enhancement of mental health. Such foreign education and training must have been received in an institution or program of higher education officially recognized by the government of the country in which it is located as an institution or program to train students to practice as professional marriage and family therapists or psychotherapists. 491.0046 - Provisional license; requirements. :: 2016 Florida Statutes A person licensed under this chapter as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor, or certified as a master social worker shall conspicuously display the valid license issued by the department or a true copy thereof at each location at which the licensee practices his or her profession. The Legislature further finds that, since such services assist the public primarily with emotional survival, which in turn affects physical and psychophysical survival, the practice of clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling by persons not qualified to practice such professions presents a danger to public health, safety, and welfare. If the licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder refuses to comply with such order, the departments order directing the examination may be enforced by filing a petition for enforcement in the circuit court in the circuit in which the licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder resides or does business. Business Name. The board may adopt rules defining the minimum requirements for records and reports, including content, length of time records shall be maintained, and transfer of either the records or a report of such records to a subsequent treating practitioner or other individual with written consent of the client or clients. 87-252; ss. The practice of mental health counseling also includes counseling, behavior modification, consultation, client-centered advocacy, crisis intervention, and the provision of needed information and education to clients, when using methods of a psychological nature to evaluate, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent emotional and mental disorders and dysfunctions (whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral), behavioral disorders, sexual dysfunction, alcoholism, or substance abuse. Board means the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application; Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years; Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application; Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector Generals List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. Then, you can take the remaining steps to become a licensed clinical social worker in Florida. 95-279; s. 509, ch. Individuals who have commenced the experience requirement as specified in s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or (4)(c) but failed to register as required by subsection (1) shall register with the department before January 1, 2000. Such fees shall be deposited into the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund. A person provisionally licensed under this chapter as a provisional clinical social worker licensee, provisional marriage and family therapist licensee, or provisional mental health counselor licensee shall conspicuously display the valid provisional license issued by the department or a true copy thereof at each location at which the provisional licensee is providing services. 94-218; s. 152, ch. Maintaining a professional association with any person who the applicant, licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder knows, or has reason to believe, is in violation of this chapter or of a rule of the department or the board. Applicants with prior disciplinary actions are required to submit the following: Board Actions Certified copies of document(s) relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. The board or department shall prescribe by rule a method for the biennial renewal of an intern registration at a fee set by rule, not to exceed $100. A provisional license is valid until expiration, or until the Board issues or denies a license under section 148D.055, or until the Board revokes the provisional license, whichever comes first. Publications, Help Searching 91-429; s. 515, ch. The definition of mental health counseling contained in this subsection includes all services offered directly to the general public or through organizations, whether public or private, and applies whether payment is requested or received for services rendered. The terms diagnose and treat, as used in this chapter, when considered in isolation or in conjunction with any provision of the rules of the board, shall not be construed to permit the performance of any act which mental health counselors are not educated and trained to perform, including, but not limited to, admitting persons to hospitals for treatment of the foregoing conditions, treating persons in hospitals without medical supervision, prescribing medicinal drugs as defined in chapter 465, authorizing clinical laboratory procedures pursuant to chapter 483, or radiological procedures, or use of electroconvulsive therapy. $42,667 - $71,215 a year. The board shall require, as a condition of granting a license under this chapter, that an applicant making initial application for licensure complete an education course acceptable to the board on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Sponsored School (s) Featured Programs: Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S. Soliciting patients or clients personally, or through an agent, through the use of fraud, intimidation, undue influence, or a form of overreaching or vexatious conduct. Mental health counselor means a person licensed under this chapter to practice mental health counseling. If you have yet to enroll in a program, though, thats the first place to start. 19, 20, ch. 91-429; s. 510, ch. Has had not less than 2 years of clinical experience in mental health counseling, which must be at the post-masters level under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor or the equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the board. 87-252; ss. The Licensing and Regulation section provides information relating to professional, facility, and permit licensing along with information on enforcement. (1) (a) A person licensed under this chapter as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor, or certified as a master social worker shall conspicuously display the valid license issued by the department or a true copy . Two members shall be licensed practicing mental health counselors. Has had not less than 2 years of clinical experience during which 50 percent of the applicants clients were receiving marriage and family therapy services, which must be at the post-masters level under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist with at least 5 years of experience, or the equivalent, who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the board. 97-198; s. 202, ch. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended: For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. Florida Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social 491.0045 Intern registration; requirements. Failure of the licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder to maintain in confidence a communication made by a patient or client in the context of such services, except as provided in s. 491.0147. Statutes, Video Broadcast Renewal of license, registration, or certificate. No person shall be required to be licensed, provisionally licensed, registered, or certified under this chapter who: Is a salaried employee of a government agency; a developmental disability facility or program; a mental health, alcohol, or drug abuse facility operating under chapter 393, chapter 394, or chapter 397; the statewide child care resource and referral network operating under s. 411.0101; a child-placing or child-caring agency licensed pursuant to chapter 409; a domestic violence center certified pursuant to chapter 39; an accredited academic institution; or a research institution, if such employee is performing duties for which he or she was trained and hired solely within the confines of such agency, facility, or institution, so long as the employee is not held out to the public as a clinical social worker, mental health counselor, or marriage and family therapist. 97-198; s. 208, ch. There is created within the department the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling composed of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. State guides: helping future Social Workers navigate the process, State by state guides to social work degree programs with program and school analysis, A state by state guide: explore expected salaries for social workers in your state, Salaries are only one piece of the benefit pie: see what else employers offer to entice social workers, Florida Social Worker License - 2023 Guide. The board shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Confidentiality and privileged communications. The practice of marriage and family therapy includes methods of a psychological nature used to evaluate, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent emotional and mental disorders or dysfunctions (whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral), sexual dysfunction, behavioral disorders, alcoholism, and substance abuse. 90-263; s. 4, ch. 97-198; s. 201, ch. An individual who intends to practice in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must register pursuant to s. 491.0045 prior to commencing practice. The documents must come from the agency that took the disciplinary action and must be certified by that agency. Has had not less than 2 years of clinical social work experience, which took place subsequent to completion of a graduate degree in social work at an institution meeting the accreditation requirements of this section, under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or the equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the board. The applicant submits proof satisfactory to the department that the applicant has received a doctoral degree in social work, or a masters degree with a major emphasis or specialty in clinical practice or administration, including, but not limited to, agency administration and supervision, program planning and evaluation, staff development, research, community organization, community services, social planning, and human service advocacy. The equivalent, as determined by the board, of at least 1,000 hours of university-sponsored supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience as required in the accrediting standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs for mental health counseling programs. Therapeutic deception means a representation to the client that sexual contact by the psychotherapist is consistent with or part of the treatment of the client. Within six months of completing licensure, all social workers in Florida must complete a three-hour HIV/AIDS course and a two-hour domestic violence course. The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of mental health counseling is restricted to mental health counselors appropriately trained in the use of such methods, techniques, or modalities. If this condition is met, the board shall apply the baccalaureate course named toward the education requirements. Two members shall be licensed practicing marriage and family therapists. 97-198; ss. Chapter 491 Section 0149 - 2018 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate A licensed clinical social worker shall include the words licensed clinical social worker or the letters LCSW on all promotional materials, including cards, brochures, stationery, advertisements, and signs, naming the licensee. 204, 205, ch. 99-397; s. 32, ch. 90-263; s. 4, ch. 90-263; s. 4, ch. Education and training in mental health counseling must have been received in an institution of higher education which at the time the applicant graduated was: fully accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation; publicly recognized as a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; or an institution of higher education located outside the United States and Canada, which at the time the applicant was enrolled and at the time the applicant graduated maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of training of those institutions in the United States which are accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. 19, 20, ch. 2005-240; s. 103, ch. The board may adopt rules relating to inactive licenses and the reactivation of licenses. Continuing education providers, programs, and courses and laws and rules courses and their providers and programs shall be approved by the department or the board. The licensee, registered intern, or certificateholder against whom the petition is filed shall not be named or identified by initials in any public court records or documents, and the proceedings shall be closed to the public. The department shall register as a clinical social worker intern, marriage and family therapist intern, or mental health counselor intern each applicant who the board certifies has: Completed the application form and remitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $200, as set by board rule; Completed the education requirements as specified in s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or (4)(c) for the profession for which he or she is applying for licensure, if needed; and. The report should include: a description and summary of the diagnosis, onset, course of treatment, medications, inpatient treatments, outpatient treatments, group settings, factors which have triggered setbacks, compliance with treatment, prognosis, and recommendations for continued treatment. For marriage and family therapy, 10 of the courses required by s. 491.005 (3) (b), as determined by the board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of the course credits must have been completed in . A provisional clinical social worker licensee shall include the words provisional clinical social worker licensee, a provisional marriage and family therapist licensee shall include the words provisional marriage and family therapist licensee, and a provisional mental health counselor licensee shall include the words provisional mental health counselor licensee on all promotional materials, including cards, brochures, stationery, advertisements, and signs, naming the provisional licensee. Registered Interns applying for full licensure need items 4 and 6-9. Florida Social Work License | Therapist Development Center Licensure Process You will need to contact the Board Office to receive an application for a provisional license. 87-252; ss. Present as her or his own the clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling license of another. 15, 19, ch. Regulated Professions Regulated Facilities and Permits North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services. Florida licensees can already provide telehealth services to patients in Florida that they can treat in person. However, a maximum of 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of the clinical curriculum content requirement may be completed by credit awarded for independent study coursework as defined by board rule. Not more than 25 classroom hours of continuing education per year shall be required. ss. 93-260; s. 31, ch. Association of Social Work Boards ss. Submitted an acceptable supervision plan, as determined by the board, for meeting the practicum, internship, or field work required for licensure that was not satisfied in his or her graduate program. An applicant who graduated from a program at a university or college outside of the United States or Canada must present documentation of the equivalency determination from the council in order to qualify. Provisional mental health counselor licensee means a person provisionally licensed under this chapter to provide mental health counseling services under supervision. The practice of marriage and family therapy includes, but is not limited to, marriage and family therapy, psychotherapy, including behavioral family therapy, hypnotherapy, and sex therapy. 97-264; s. 157, ch. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability. A certified master social worker is exempt from the continuing education requirements for the first renewal of the certificate. 12, 13, ch. Holds a license in good standing, is not under investigation for an act that would constitute a violation of this chapter, and has not been found to have committed any act that would constitute a violation of this chapter. The terms diagnose and treat, as used in this chapter, when considered in isolation or in conjunction with any provision of the rules of the board, shall not be construed to permit the performance of any act which clinical social workers are not educated and trained to perform, including, but not limited to, admitting persons to hospitals for treatment of the foregoing conditions, treating persons in hospitals without medical supervision, prescribing medicinal drugs as defined in chapter 465, authorizing clinical laboratory procedures pursuant to chapter 483, or radiological procedures, or use of electroconvulsive therapy. Chapter 491 Section 0149 - 2022 Florida Statutes About 6 months ago A doctoral internship may be applied toward the clinical experience requirement. The Legislature finds that as society becomes increasingly complex, emotional survival is equal in importance to physical survival. Endorsement applicants only need items 5 through 9. The burden of establishing that the requirements of this provision have been met shall be upon the applicant, and the board shall require documentation, such as, but not limited to, an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the applicants graduate degree program and education were equivalent to an accredited program in this country. Is not a resident of this state but offers services in this state, provided: Such services are performed for no more than 15 days in any calendar year; and. All rights reserved. 95-279; s. 513, ch. However, if you want to manage therapy sessions and help clients with their mental health and wellbeing, becoming a clinical social worker is the right choice. 90-263; s. 4, ch. 15, 19, ch. 97-264; s. 9, ch. Completes, at a university or college outside the United States or Canada, a social work program determined by the Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on Social Work Education to be equivalent to a bachelors or masters degree in social work. Fees for dual licensure shall not exceed those stated in this subsection.