SF3682

Purpose

• To modify how the use of social work titles is allowed or restricted in Minnesota and to strengthen accountability for how social workers present themselves to the public.

Summary of Provisions

• Licensure status for city/county/state social workers

  • Since July 1, 2016, licensure for city, county, and state agency social workers is voluntary.
  • If a new employee of a city or state agency after July 1, 2016 provides social work services, they must be licensed if they present to the public under any title that includes the words "social work" or "social worker."
  • Beginning July 1, 2026, county agency social workers who do not hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree in social work, or who are not licensed, must not be presented to the public under any title that includes the words "social work" or "social worker" unless the person was employed by the county before July 1, 2027.
  • This change does not alter rights or benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements ratified before July 1, 2026.

• Representations and professional designations

  • Effective July 1, 2016, no applicant or individual may be presented to the public by any title that includes "social work" or "social worker" unless they are employed by a county and meet the required standards or hold a license.
  • When using a social worker’s name in professional use, the correct license designation must be shown (LSW, LGSW, LISW, LICSW, etc., depending on the type of license).
  • Public statements or advertisements must not be false, misleading, fraudulent, deceptive, or exploitative.
  • Social workers must not use their licensure status as a guarantee of successful service, must not obtain a license through cheating or deception, and must not make false statements or misrepresentations to the board or in related materials. They must avoid conduct that could deceive clients, interns, supervisees, or the public.

• Use of titles

  • No one may be presented to the public by any title containing “social work” or “social worker,” or by titles used in connection with those terms, unless they are employed by a county and meet the stated requirements or hold a license.

Key Terms and Designations

• Social work, social worker
• Licensure, licensed, license designation
• Designations: LSW (licensed social worker), LGSW (licensed graduate social worker), LISW (licensed independent social worker), LICSW (licensed independent clinical social worker)
• County agency, city/state agency
• Public representations, representations to the public
• 148E.065(4a), 148E.195(2a), 148E.280 (sections amended)

Changes to Law

• Shifts some licensure requirements for public-facing titles from broad licensing to a phased approach that tightens who can present themselves with social work titles in the future.
• Introduces mandatory, explicit use of licensed designations in professional communications.
• Establishes stricter standards to prevent misleading or deceptive representations about qualifications and services.

Impact and Compliance

• For social workers and employers: clearer rules on who can use social work titles with the public; emphasis on proper licensing and accurate professional designations.
• For the public: greater assurance that individuals presenting as social workers are appropriately credentialed.
• For county agencies: new transitional rules about who may be presented with social work titles unless they hold the required license or were employed before specified dates.

Timeline and Dates

• July 1, 2016: Effective date for representations and licensing requirements; voluntary licensure status remains for many social workers.
• July 1, 2026: New restriction requiring licensure or appropriate degree for county social workers to be presented with social work titles.
• July 1, 2027: Cutoff for existing county employees to have been employed before this date to be eligible for presenting under the restricted titles.

Relevant Terms - social work, social worker, license, licensure, LSW, LGSW, LISW, LICSW, licensed social worker, licensed graduate social worker, licensed independent social worker, licensed independent clinical social worker, county agency, public representation, titles, Minnesota Statutes 2024 sections 148E.065, 148E.195, 148E.280