Subdivision 1. Other professionals. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prevent members of other professions or occupations from performing functions for which they are qualified or licensed. This exception includes but is not limited to: licensed physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed psychologists, psychological practitioners, probation officers, members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners, attorneys, marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, professional counselors, school counselors, and licensed occupational therapists or licensed occupational therapist assistants. These persons must not, however, hold themselves out to the public by any title or description stating or implying that they are engaged in the practice of social work, or that they are licensed to engage in the practice of social work. Persons engaged in the practice of social work are not exempt from the board's jurisdiction solely by the use of one of the titles in this subdivision.
Subd. 2. Students. An internship, externship, or any other social work experience that is required for the completion of an accredited program of social work does not constitute the practice of social work under this chapter. Students exempted under this section may use the title "social work intern."
Subd. 3. [Repealed, 2012 c 197 art 1 s 19]
Subd. 4. [Expired, 2012 c 197 art 1 s 11]
Subd. 4a. City, county, and state social workers. Beginning July 1, 2016, the licensure of city, county, and state agency social workers is voluntary, except an individual who is newly employed by a city or state agency after July 1, 2016, must be licensed if the individual who provides social work services, as those services are defined in section 148E.010, subdivision 11, paragraph (b), is presented to the public by any title incorporating the words "social work" or "social worker."
Subd. 5. [Expired, 2012 c 197 art 1 s 13]
Subd. 5a. Tribes and private nonprofit agencies; voluntary licensure. (a) The licensure of social workers who are employed by federally recognized tribes is voluntary.
(b) The licensure of private, nonprofit, nontribal agency social workers whose primary service focus addresses ethnic minority populations, and who are themselves members of ethnic minority populations within those agencies, is voluntary until July 1, 2016, when newly employed individuals who practice social work must be licensed as required under section 148E.055, subdivision 1.
2007 c 123 s 75,138; 2012 c 197 art 1 s 10-14; 2013 c 108 art 2 s 3,44; art 15 s 3,4; 2015 c 78 art 6 s 2; 2020 c 83 art 1 s 38
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 148E — Board Of Social Work Practice
Section 148E.010 — Definitions.
Section 148E.020 — Chapter 214.
Section 148E.025 — Board Of Social Work.
Section 148E.030 — Duties Of The Board.
Section 148E.050 — Licensing; Scope Of Practice.
Section 148E.055 — License Requirements.
Section 148E.060 — Temporary Licenses.
Section 148E.065 — Exemptions.
Section 148E.070 — License Renewals.
Section 148E.0751 — Temporary Leave License Status.
Section 148E.0752 — Emeritus Inactive License Status.
Section 148E.0753 — Emeritus Active License Status.
Section 148E.080 — Reactivations.
Section 148E.085 — Voluntary Termination License Status.
Section 148E.090 — Name; Change Of Name Or Address.
Section 148E.095 — License Certificate.
Section 148E.100 — Licensed Social Workers; Supervised Practice.
Section 148E.110 — Licensed Independent Social Workers; Supervised Practice.
Section 148E.115 — Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers; Supervised Practice.
Section 148E.120 — Requirements Of Supervisors.
Section 148E.125 — Documentation Of Supervision.
Section 148E.130 — Continuing Education Requirements For Licensees.
Section 148E.145 — Continuing Education Providers.
Section 148E.180 — Fee Amounts.
Section 148E.185 — Purpose Of Compliance Laws.
Section 148E.190 — Grounds For Action.
Section 148E.195 — Representations To Clients And Public.
Section 148E.200 — Competence.
Section 148E.205 — Impairment.
Section 148E.210 — Professional And Ethical Conduct.
Section 148E.215 — Responsibilities To Clients.
Section 148E.220 — Relationships With Clients, Former Clients, And Others.
Section 148E.225 — Treatment And Intervention Services.
Section 148E.230 — Confidentiality And Records.
Section 148E.235 — Fees And Billing Practices.
Section 148E.240 — Reporting Requirements.
Section 148E.245 — Investigative Powers And Procedures.
Section 148E.250 — Obligation To Cooperate.
Section 148E.255 — Types Of Actions.
Section 148E.260 — Disciplinary Actions.
Section 148E.265 — Adversarial But Nondisciplinary Actions.
Section 148E.270 — Voluntary Actions.
Section 148E.275 — Unauthorized Practice.
Section 148E.280 — Use Of Titles.