65-6309. Licensure of clinical level social worker licensed in another jurisdiction; exemption from examination; temporary licensure; explanation required for license denial. - Kansas Statutes

65-6309

Chapter 65.--PUBLIC HEALTH Article 63.--SOCIAL WORKERS

      65-6309.   Licensure of clinical level social workerlicensed in another jurisdiction; exemption from examination; temporarylicensure; explanation required for license denial.(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), an applicant shall beexempted from the requirement for any examinationprovided for herein if:

      (1)   The applicant proves to the board that the applicant is licensedor registered under the laws of a state or territory of the UnitedStates that imposes substantially the same requirements as this act asdetermined by the board; and

      (2)   pursuant to the laws of any such state or territory, theapplicant has taken and passed an examination similar to that for whichexemption is sought, as determined by the board.

      (b)   The board may issue a license to an individual who is currentlylicensed to practice social work at the clinicallevel inanother jurisdiction if the board determines that:

      (1)   The standards for licensure to practicesocial work at the clinical level in the other jurisdiction aresubstantially equivalentto the requirements of this state for licensure at the clinical level; or

      (2)   the applicant demonstrates on forms provided by the board compliancewith the following standards as adopted by the board:

      (A)   Continuous licensure to practicesocial work at the clinical level during the five yearsimmediately preceding theapplication with at least the minimum professional experience as established byrules and regulations of the board;

      (B)   the absence of disciplinary actions of a serious nature brought by alicensing board or agency; and

      (C)   a masters or doctoral degree in social work from a regionallyaccredited university orcollege and from an accredited graduate social work program recognized andapproved by the board pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board.

      (c)   Applicants for licensure as a clinical specialist social worker shalladditionallydemonstrate competence to diagnose and treat mental disorders through meetingthe following requirements:

      (1)   Passing a national clinical examination approved by the board or, in theabsence of the national examination, continuous licensure to practice as aclinical social worker during the 10 years immediately preceding theapplication; and

      (2)   three years of clinical practice with demonstrated experience indiagnosing or treating mental disorders.

      (d)   An applicant for a license under this section shall pay an applicationfee established by the board under K.S.A. 65-6314 and amendments thereto.

      (e)   Upon application,the board shall issue temporary licenses to persons who have submitteddocumentation and met allqualifications for licensure under provisions of this act, except passageof the required examination, and who have paid the required fee.

      (f)   Such persons shall take the license examinationwithin sixmonthssubsequent to the date of issuance of the temporary license unless thereare extenuating circumstances approved by the board.

      (g)   Absent extenuating circumstances approved by the board, a temporarylicense issued by the board shall expire upon the date theboard issues or denies a license to practice social work or six months afterthe date of issuance of the temporary license. No temporary license will berenewed or issued again on any subsequent applications for the same licenselevel. The preceding provisions in no way limit the number of times anapplicant may take theexamination.

      (h)   No person maywork under a temporary license except under the supervision of alicensed social worker.

      (i)   Nothingin this section shall affect any temporarylicenseto practice issuedunder this section prior to the effective date of thisact and in effecton the effective date of this act. Such temporary licenseshall be subjectto the provisions of this section in effect at thetime of its issuanceand shall continue to be effective until the date of expiration of thelicense as provided under thissection at the time ofissuance of suchtemporary license.

      (j)   Any individual employed by a hospital and working inthe areaof hospital social services to patients of suchhospital on July 1, 1974, is exempt from the provisions of this act.

      (k)   If an applicant is denied licensure, the board shallprovide theapplicant with a written explanation of the denial within 10days after the decision of the board, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legalholidays.

      History:   L. 1974, ch. 372, § 9;L. 1980, ch. 242, § 19;L. 1986, ch. 340, § 3;L. 1989, ch. 276, § 4;L. 1990, ch. 237, § 1;L. 2003, ch. 129, § 3;L. 2006, ch. 61, § 2; July 1.