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§ 1907 . Qualifications for license

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated StatutesTitle 63 P.S. Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)Effective: March 28, 2024

Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes
Title 63 P.S. Professions and Occupations (State Licensed) (Refs & Annos)
Chapter 33. Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act (Refs & Annos)
Effective: March 28, 2024
63 P.S. § 1907
§ 1907 . Qualifications for license
Currentness
(a) Social work license.--An applicant shall be qualified for a license to hold oneself out as a licensed social worker, provided he or she submits proof satisfactory to the board that:
(1) He or she is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113 (relating to consideration of criminal convictions).
(2) He or she has received a master's degree from an accredited school of social work or social welfare or a doctoral degree in social work.
(3) He or she has passed an examination duly adopted by the board.
(4) His or her application has been accompanied by the application fee.
(5) He or she has not been convicted of a felony under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64),1 known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that he or she has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of his or her clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term “convicted” shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(b), (c) Deleted by 2014, Oct. 22, P.L. 2884, No. 179, § 3, effective in 60 days [Dec. 22, 2014].
(c.1) Limitations on bachelor social work license.--Licensed bachelor social workers are not qualified to diagnose mental illness nor provide psychotherapy services, as described in 55 Pa. Code § 1153.52 (relating to payment conditions for various services). A licensed bachelor social worker must work under the direction of an individual who is able to supervise and direct the activities of the licensed bachelor social worker. Licensed bachelor social workers may not practice in a private setting, practice independently or engage in clinical social work practice or hold themselves out as licensed social workers or licensed clinical social workers. Bachelor social workers are not permitted to bill a health insurance plan for services rendered under this license.
(d) Clinical social work license.--An applicant shall be qualified for a license to hold oneself out as a licensed clinical social worker if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that all of the following apply:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
(2) The applicant has successfully met both of the following requirements:
(i) Holds a master's degree in social work or social welfare or a doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work as recognized by the board.
(ii) Is licensed under this act as a social worker.
(3) The applicant has completed at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience or holds an Academy of Certified Social Workers certificate issued prior to January 1, 2001, by the National Association of Social Workers or otherwise meets the supervision expectation in a fashion acceptable to the board as determined by regulation after completion of the master's degree in social work.
(4) The applicant has passed a clinical social work examination adopted by the board.
(5) The applicant has submitted an application accompanied by the application fee.
(6) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrated to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term “convicted” includes a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(e) Marriage and family therapist license.--An applicant shall be qualified to hold oneself out as a licensed marriage and family therapist if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that all of the following apply:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
(2) The applicant has successfully met one of the following educational requirements:
(i) Has successfully completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework which is closely related to marriage and family therapy, including a master's degree granted on or before June 30, 2009, in marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution or a master's degree granted on or before June 30, 2009, in a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution, with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy acceptable to the board from an accredited educational institution or from a program recognized by a national accrediting agency.
(ii) Has successfully completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework which is closely related to marriage and family therapy, including a 48-semester-hour or 72-quarter-hour master's degree in marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution or a 48-semester-hour or 72-quarter-hour master's degree in a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution, with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy acceptable to the board from an accredited educational institution or from a program recognized by a national accrediting agency.
(iii) holds a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution or holds a doctoral degree in a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy acceptable to the board from an accredited educational institution or from a program recognized by a national accrediting agency.
(3) The applicant has complied with the experience requirement as follows:
(i) An individual meeting the educational requirements of paragraph (2)(i) or (ii) must have completed at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, acceptable to the board as determined by regulation, obtained after being granted a master's degree.
(ii) An individual meeting the educational requirements of paragraph (2)(iii) must have completed at least 2,400 hours of supervised clinical experience, acceptable to the board as determined by regulation, 1,200 hours of which was obtained subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree.
(4) The applicant has passed an examination adopted by the board.
(5) The application has been accompanied by the application fee.
(6) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which if committed in this Commonwealth would be a felony under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violation; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term “convicted” includes a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(e.1) Associate marriage and family therapist license.--
(1) An applicant shall be qualified for a license to hold oneself out as a licensed associate marriage and family therapist if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that all of the following apply:
(i) The applicant is at least 21 years of age.
(ii) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
(iii) The applicant has satisfied the educational requirements under subsection (e)(2)(i), (ii) or (iii).
(iv) The applicant has submitted a supervision plan, including a detailed job description and each location where client contact and supervision will occur.
(v) The applicant has submitted the resume or curriculum vitae for each licensee who provides supervision acceptable to the board. A supervisor shall hold a current and active license to practice marriage and family therapy or to practice in a related field as approved by the board and shall have no less than five full-time years of experience or the equivalent in the prior ten years as specified by the board's regulations.
(vi) The applicant has submitted an application accompanied by the application fee of $75. The application fee may be altered by the board by regulation.
(vii) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
(A) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(B) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of the applicant's clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(C) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act. As used in this paragraph, the term “convicted” shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(2) Renewal of an associate marriage and family therapist license shall be on a biennial basis, and the license shall be eligible for no more than three renewals. The applicant shall submit a renewal application accompanied by the renewal application fee of $95. The renewal application fee may be altered by the board by regulation.
(e.2) Limitations on associate marriage and family therapist license.--A licensed associate marriage and family therapist shall work under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist or a related licensed professional as approved by the board who directs the activities of the licensed associate marriage and family therapist. A licensed associate marriage and family therapist shall not practice in a private setting without the direction of a supervisor. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a licensed associate marriage and family therapist from taking the required examination under subsection (e)(4) during the time between graduation and completing the required clinical supervised hours under subsection (e)(3) to meet the licensure requirements for a marriage and family therapist.
(f) Professional counselors license.--An applicant is qualified for a license to hold oneself out as a licensed professional counselor if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that all of the following apply:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
(2) The applicant has successfully met one of the following educational requirements:
(i) Has successfully completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework in counseling or a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of professional counseling, including a master's degree granted on or before June 30, 2009, in counseling or a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of professional counseling, from an accredited educational institution.
(ii) Has successfully completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework in counseling or a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of professional counseling, including a 48-semester-hour or 72-quarter-hour master's degree in counseling or a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of professional counseling, from an accredited educational institution.
(iii) Holds a doctoral degree in counseling from an accredited educational institution or holds a doctoral degree in a field determined by the board by regulation to be closely related to the practice of professional counseling from an accredited educational institution.
(3) The applicant has complied with the experience requirements as follows:
(i) An individual meeting the educational requirements of paragraph (2)(i) or (ii) must have completed at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, acceptable to the board as determined by regulation, obtained after being granted a master's degree.
(ii) An individual meeting the educational requirements of paragraph (2)(iii) must have completed at least 2,400 hours of supervised clinical experience, acceptable to the board as determined by regulation, 1,200 hours of which was obtained subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree.
(4) The applicant has passed an examination adopted by the board.
(5) The application has been accompanied by the application fee.
(6) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which if committed in this Commonwealth would be a felony under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term “convicted” includes a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(f.1) Associate professional counselor license.--
(1) An applicant is qualified for a license to hold oneself out as a licensed associate professional counselor if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that all of the following apply:
(i) The applicant is at least 21 years of age.
(ii) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
(iii) The applicant has satisfied the educational requirements under subsection (f)(2)(i), (ii) or (iii).
(iv) The applicant has submitted a plan of supervision, including a detailed job description and each location where client contact and supervision will occur.
(v) The applicant has submitted the resume or curriculum vitae for each licensee who provides supervision acceptable to the board. A supervisor shall hold a current and active license to practice professional counseling or to practice in a related field as approved by the board and shall have no less than five full-time years of experience or the equivalent in the prior ten years as specified by the board's regulations.
(vi) The application has been accompanied by the application fee of $75. The application fee may be altered by the board by regulation.
(vii) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which if committed in this Commonwealth would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
(A) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(B) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(C) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act. As used in this paragraph, the term “convicted” includes a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(2) Renewal of an associate professional counselor license shall be on a biennial basis, and the license shall be eligible for no more than three renewals. The applicant shall submit a renewal application accompanied by the renewal application fee of $95. The renewal application fee may be altered by the board by regulation.
(f.2) Limitations on associate professional counselor license.--A licensed associate professional counselor shall work under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor or a related licensed professional approved by the board who directs the activities of the licensed associate professional counselor. A licensed associate professional counselor shall not practice in a private setting without the direction of a supervisor. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a licensed associate professional counselor from taking the required exam under subsection (f)(4) during the time between graduation and completing the required supervised hours under subsection (f)(3) to meet the licensure requirements for a licensed professional counselor.
(g) Bachelor social work license.--An applicant shall be qualified for a license to hold oneself out as a licensed bachelor social worker if the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
(2) The applicant has received a bachelor's degree from an accredited program of social work or social welfare.
(3) The applicant has passed an examination duly adopted by the board.
(4) The applicant has submitted an application accompanied by the application fee.
(5) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of the applicant's clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term “convicted” shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.

Credits

1987, July 9, P.L. 220, No. 39, § 7, effective in 90 days. Amended 1998, Dec. 21, P.L. 1017, No. 136, § 1, effective in 60 days; 2008, July 9, P.L. 929, No. 68, § 1.1, effective in 60 days [Sept. 8, 2008]; 2012, March 14, P.L. 191, No. 17, § 1, effective in 60 days [May 14, 2012]; 2014, Oct. 22, P.L. 2884, No. 179, § 3, effective in 60 days [Dec. 22, 2014]; 2018, June 29, P.L. 505, No. 76, § 1, effective in 120 days [Oct. 29, 2018]; 2024, March 28, P.L. 11, No. 4, § 3, imd. effective.

Footnotes

1
35 P.S. § 780-101 et seq.
63 P.S. § 1907, PA ST 63 P.S. § 1907
Current through Act 10 of the 2024 Regular Session. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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