1(1) 2A social worker is not authorized to conduct clinical social work without obtaining and possessing a license or certification issued pursuant to this chapter.
26(2) 27It shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 41775.08242or s. 44775.083, 45for a person, for or without compensation, to hold himself or herself out to the public as a social worker either directly or through a governmental or private organization, entity, or agency unless that person:
80(a) 81Possesses at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a social work program accredited by or from an institution that is an active candidate for accreditation as a social work program by the Council on Social Work Education; or
123(b) 124Completes, at a university or college outside the United States or Canada, a social work program determined by the Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on Social Work Education to be equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work.
166(3) 167This section does not apply to:
173(a) 174A person who, prior to July 1, 2008, used the title “social worker” in his or her employment.
192(b) 193Employees providing social work services under administrative supervision in long-term care facilities licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
213(4) 214The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 222120.536(1)223and 224120.54225to implement and enforce this section.
