Bill Text: NJ S2473 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Concerns substitution of work experience for certain requirements to obtain licensure and certification in social work.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-05 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee [S2473 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S2473-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator KRISTIN M. CORRADO
District 40 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Concerns substitution of work experience for certain requirements to obtain licensure and certification in social work.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning requirements for licensure and certification in social work and supplementing P.L.1991, c.134 (C.45:15BB-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the board shall permit an individual to apply for any level of licensure, without examination, for which the individual was not trained for or originally issued if, in a manner as determined by the board, the individual submits educational and experiential records as part of an application and the board determines:
a. the education and experience of an applicant is of a character satisfactory to the board; and
b. the applicant is competent to perform the duties and responsibilities associated with the role of a licensed clinical social worker, licensed social worker, or certified social worker.
2. The board shall promulgate any rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act" P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect on the 60th day following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill supplements the "Social Workers' Licensing Act of 1991" to provide an alternative pathway for the substitution of work experience for social workers licensure and certification requirements. The bill allows the State Board of Social Work Examiners to consider a combination of educational and experiential records when assessing an applicant's qualifications. Under the bill, the board is authorized to determine if the education and experience of the applicant is satisfactory and indicative of competency for the role of a licensed clinical social worker, licensed social worker, or certified social worker without examination.
