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<subtitle article="gho" title_number="19" subtitle_number="1" title_name="Social Workers" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions">
  <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="19-101" title_number="19" title_name="Social Workers" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions">
    <level label="a">
      <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>“Board” means the State Board of Social Work Examiners.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>“Certified” means having demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the individual has completed 2 years of supervised social work practice as defined in § 19–302(d) or (e) of this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c–1">
      <text>“Conditional license” means a license issued by the Board under, and as limited by, § 19–309.1 of this title to practice:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Bachelor social work; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Master social work.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>“Independent practice” means to practice bachelor social work or master social work without the requirement of supervision by another social worker.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="e">
      <text>“License” means, unless the context requires otherwise:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>One of four categories of licenses issued by the Board authorizing an individual to practice:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Bachelor social work;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Master social work;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>Certified social work; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>Certified social work–clinical;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>A conditional license issued by the Board; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>A provisional license issued by the Board.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="f">
      <text>“Licensed bachelor social worker” means an individual licensed by the Board to practice bachelor social work.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="g">
      <text>“Licensed certified social worker” means an individual licensed by the Board, on or before December 31, 2023, to practice certified social work.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="h">
      <text>“Licensed certified social worker–clinical” means an individual licensed by the Board to practice clinical social work.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="i">
      <text>“Licensed master social worker” means an individual licensed by the Board to practice master social work.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="j">
      <text>“Practice bachelor social work” means to use the education and training required under § 19–302(b) of this title to:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Practice social work under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker, licensed certified social worker–clinical, licensed master social worker, or licensed bachelor social worker who meets the conditions specified in regulations; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>If approved by the Board in accordance with § 19–302(f) of this title, engage in independent practice.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="k">
      <text>“Practice certified social work” means to use the education, training, and experience required under § 19–302(d) of this title to practice social work.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="l">
      <text>“Practice clinical social work” means to use the specialized education, training, and experience required under § 19–302(e) of this title to practice social work.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="m">
      <text>“Practice master social work” means to use the education and training required under § 19–302(c) of this title to:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Practice social work under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker, licensed certified social worker–clinical, or licensed master social worker who meets the conditions specified in regulations; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>If approved by the Board in accordance with § 19–302(f) of this title, engage in independent practice.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="n">
      <level label="1">
        <text>“Practice social work” means to apply the theories, knowledge, procedures, methods, and ethics derived from receiving a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a program in social work that is accredited by or a candidate for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education, or an equivalent organization approved by the Council on Social Work Education, to restore or enhance social functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, or communities through:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Assessment;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Planning;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>Intervention;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>Evaluation of intervention plans;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="v">
          <text>Case management;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="vi">
          <text>Information and referral;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="vii">
          <text>Counseling that does not include diagnosis or treatment of behavioral health disorders;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="viii">
          <text>Advocacy;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ix">
          <text>Consultation;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="x">
          <text>Education;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="xi">
          <text>Research;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="xii">
          <text>Community organization;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="xiii">
          <text>Development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="xiv">
          <text>Supervision of other social workers as set forth in regulations.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>“Practice social work” includes:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Counseling for alcohol and drug use and addictive behavior; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Using technology as set forth in regulations.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="3">
        <text>For an individual licensed as a master social worker, “practice social work” also includes:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Supervision of other social workers if the master social worker meets the requirements set out in regulations;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Formulating a diagnosis, under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker–clinical;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>Treatment of biopsychosocial conditions, under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker–clinical; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>Treatment of behavioral health disorders, including substance use disorders, addictive disorders, and mental disorders, and the provision of psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker–clinical.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="4">
        <text>For an individual licensed as a certified social worker, “practice social work” also includes:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Supervision of other social workers;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Formulating a diagnosis, under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker–clinical;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>Treatment of biopsychosocial conditions, under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker–clinical; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>Treatment of behavioral health disorders, including substance use disorders, addictive disorders, and mental disorders, and the provision of psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker–clinical.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="5">
        <text>For an individual licensed as a certified social worker–clinical, “practice social work” also includes:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Supervision of other social workers;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of biopsychosocial conditions, mental and emotional conditions and impairments, and behavioral health disorders, including substance use disorders, addictive disorders, and mental disorders, as defined in § 7.5–101 of the Health – General Article;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>Petitioning for emergency evaluation under Title 10, Subtitle 6 of the Health – General Article; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>The provision of psychotherapy.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="o">
      <text>“Private practice” means the provision of psychotherapy by a licensed certified social worker–clinical who assumes responsibility and accountability for the nature and quality of the services provided to a client:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>In exchange for direct payment or third–party reimbursement; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>On a pro bono basis as determined in regulations adopted by the Board.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="o–1">
      <text>“Provisional license” means a license issued by the Board under, and as limited by, § 19–309.2 of this title to practice:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Bachelor social work; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Master social work.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="p">
      <text>“Psychotherapy” means the assessment and treatment of mental disorders and behavioral health disorders.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="q">
      <text>“Reactivation” means the process of obtaining a license less than 5 years after the Board placed an individual on inactive status.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="r">
      <text>“Reinstatement” means the process of obtaining a license less than 5 years after the Board placed an individual on nonrenewed status.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="s">
      <text>“Reissuance” means the process of obtaining a license more than 5 years after the Board placed an individual on inactive or nonrenewed status.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="t">
      <text>“Supervision” means a formalized professional relationship between a supervisor and a supervisee that:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Provides evaluation and direction of the supervisee; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Promotes continued development of the supervisee’s knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide social work services in an ethical and competent manner.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="19-102" title_number="19" title_name="Social Workers" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions">
    <level label="a">
      <text>The General Assembly finds that the profession of social work profoundly affects the lives, health, safety, and welfare of the people of this State.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>The purpose of this title is to protect the public by:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Setting minimum qualification, education, training, and experience standards for the licensing of individuals to practice social work; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Promoting and maintaining high professional standards for the practice of social work.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="19-103" title_number="19" title_name="Social Workers" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions">
    <text>This title does not limit the right of an individual to practice a health occupation that the individual is authorized to practice under this article.</text>
  </section>
</subtitle>