NAC641B.187. Prerequisites and requirements for renewal of license; grounds for disciplinary action.

     1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 4 and 5, to renew his or her license:

     (a) A licensee who is a licensed associate in social work or a licensed social worker must complete at least 30 continuing education hours every 2 years, of which:

          (1) Two hours must relate to ethics in the practice of social work, including, without limitation, issues addressing professional boundaries, confidentiality or dual relationships within that practice; and

          (2) Unless otherwise approved by the Board, 10 hours must be in the field of practice of the licensee; and

     (b) A licensee who is a licensed clinical social worker or licensed independent social worker must complete at least 36 hours of continuing education every 2 years, of which:

          (1) Three hours must relate to ethics in the practice of social work, including, without limitation, issues addressing professional boundaries, confidentiality or dual relationships within that practice; and

          (2) Unless otherwise approved by the Board, 12 hours must be in the field of practice of the licensee.

     2. To fulfill the continuing education requirements of this section, the continuing education hours for all classes of licensure must be completed in programs of continuing education approved by the Board that maintain, improve or enhance the knowledge and competency of a licensee in the practice of social work.

     3. Upon the request of the licensee, the Board may waive the continuing education requirements of this section for a licensee who is at least 70 years of age and is retired from the practice of social work.

     4. The Board may renew the license of a licensee who fails to complete 30 continuing education hours during a 2-year period if it finds good cause to do so.

     5. The Board will renew the license of a licensee during the period in which he or she is enrolled in a program leading to:

     (a) A baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from a college or university that is accredited by or is a candidate for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education; or

     (b) A doctoral degree in social work,

Ê and for one renewal period after graduation from the program. Before renewing the license, proof of enrollment or graduation within the past 2 years must be submitted to the Board by the licensee.

     6. If the Board renews the license of a licensee pursuant to subsection 4, it may require the licensee to complete not more than 30 additional continuing education hours during the next 2-year period.

     7. A licensee may not take a program of continuing education which presents the same material he or she took during the previous 2-year period.

     8. A licensee is subject to disciplinary action if he or she:

     (a) Within 30 days after receiving a request from the Board, fails to provide to the Board information of his or her participation in a program of continuing education; or

     (b) Submits to the Board false or inaccurate information regarding his or her participation in a program of continuing education.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Exam’rs for Social Workers, eff. 11-28-89; A 5-15-92; 10-25-93; 11-8-95; R113-98, 1-13-99; R112-00, 1-17-2001; R079-02, 1-9-2003; R122-06, 7-14-2006; R142-08, 2-11-2009)