Section 134 Practice of social work by certain parties - Massachusetts Statutes

Section 134. Nothing in sections one hundred and thirty to one hundred and thirty-seven, inclusive, shall be construed to prevent qualified members of other professions or occupations such as licensed physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed psychologists, members of the clergy, attorneys, clinical members of the American Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, school adjustment or school guidance counselors who are employed by recognized private educational institutions while performing those duties for which they are employed, registered occupational therapists or certified occupational therapist assistants who are certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association, certified rehabilitation counselors who are certified by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification of the National Rehabilitation Counselors Association and the American Rehabilitation Counselors Association, from doing work of a social service nature; provided, however, that they do not 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 practice social work or independent clinical social work.

Nothing in sections one hundred and thirty to one hundred and thirty-seven, inclusive, shall prevent the practice of social work by students of social work or social work interns or persons preparing for the practice of social work under qualified supervision in a recognized educational institution or facility so long as they are designated by such titles as “social work student”, “social work trainee”, or “social work intern”, or others clearly indicating such training status.

Nothing in sections one hundred and thirty to one hundred and thirty-seven, inclusive, shall prevent the practice of social work or the use of the official titles social worker or social work associate by individuals employed in state, county, or municipal governmental agencies, provided that such persons are performing those activities as part of the duties for which they are employed or solely within the confines or under the jurisdiction of the agency in which they are employed.

A license to practice social work shall not be a requirement for qualification for civil service examinations nor shall it be a requirement for employment in any state, county, or municipal agency.