Arkansas Code
Subchapter 3 - Licensing
§ 17-103-306. Qualifications — Issuance

(a)
(1) The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board shall issue a Licensed Social Worker license to an applicant who qualifies as follows:
(A) Has a baccalaureate degree in a social work program from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, or has received before June 17, 1986, a baccalaureate degree in a social work program from an accredited educational institution;
(B) Has passed an examination approved by the board for this purpose and level of practice;
(C) Has applied for a criminal background check and meets the qualifications for issuance of a license under § 17-103-307;
(D) [Repealed.]
(E) Is physically and mentally competent to provide social work services with reasonable skill and safety;
(F) Is not affected by a mental or physical disease or condition that would impair the applicant's competency to provide social work services;
(G) Has not pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony listed under § 17-3-102 or criminal offense involving violence, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, breach of client trust, or abuse of the vulnerable;
(H) Does not use drugs or alcohol to an extent that the use affects the applicant's professional competency; and
(I) Has not engaged in fraud or deceit in making the application.

(2)
(A) The board shall issue a Provisional Licensed Social Worker license one (1) time only to an applicant who qualifies under this subsection.
(B) A Provisional Licensed Social Worker license is good for one (1) year and up to three (3) attempts to pass the examination approved by the board for this purpose and level of practice.

(b)
(1) The board shall issue a Licensed Master Social Worker license to an applicant who qualifies as follows:
(A) Has a master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, or has received before June 17, 1986, a master's degree in a social work program from an accredited educational institution;
(B) Has passed an examination approved by the board for this purpose and level of practice;
(C) Has applied for a criminal background check and meets the qualifications for issuance of a license under § 17-103-307;
(D) Has good moral character;
(E) Is physically and mentally competent to provide social work services with reasonable skill and safety;
(F) Is not afflicted by a mental or physical disease or condition that would impair the applicant's competency to provide social work services;
(G) Has not pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony listed under § 17-3-102 or criminal offense involving violence, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, breach of client trust, or abuse of the vulnerable;
(H) Does not use drugs or alcohol to an extent that the use affects the applicant's professional competency; and
(I) Has not engaged in fraud or deceit in making the application.

(2)
(A) The board shall issue a Provisional Licensed Master Social Worker license one (1) time only to an applicant who qualifies under this subsection.
(B) A Provisional Licensed Master Social Worker license is good for one (1) year and up to three (3) attempts to pass the examination approved by the board for this purpose and level of practice.

(c)
(1) The board shall issue a license as a Licensed Certified Social Worker to an applicant who qualifies as follows:
(A) Has a master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, or has received before June 17, 1986, a master's degree in a social work program from an accredited educational institution;
(B)
(i) Has at least twenty-four (24) months of supervised social work experience under a licensed certified social worker.
(ii) The supervised social work experience required under subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i) of this section shall include at least four thousand (4,000) hours in a social work position under the supervision of a licensed certified social worker or a social worker whom the board determines to have qualifications equivalent to those required of a licensed certified social worker;

(C) Has passed an examination approved by the board for this purpose and level of practice;
(D) Has applied for a criminal background check and meets the qualifications for issuance of a license under § 17-103-307;
(E) Has good moral character;
(F) Is physically and mentally competent to provide social work services with reasonable skill and safety;
(G) Is not affected by a mental or physical disease or condition that would impair the applicant's competency to provide social work services;
(H) Has not pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony listed under § 17-3-102 or criminal offense involving violence, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, breach of client trust, or abuse of the vulnerable;
(I) Does not use drugs or alcohol to an extent that the use affects the applicant's professional competency; and
(J) Has not engaged in fraud or deceit in making the application.

(2)
(A) The board shall issue a Provisional Licensed Master Social Worker license one (1) time only to an applicant who qualifies under this subsection.
(B) A Provisional Licensed Master Social Worker license is good for one (1) year and up to three (3) attempts to pass the examination approved by the board for this purpose and level of practice.
(C) A Provisional Licensed Certified Social Worker license is not available.