§30-30-16. Provisional license to practice as a social worker.

(a) To be eligible for a provisional license to practice as a social worker, the applicant must:

(1) Submit an application to the board;

(2) Be at least 18 years of age;

(3) Have a baccalaureate degree in a related field, as provided by legislative rule;

(4) Have obtained regular supervised employment, or the reasonable promise of regular supervised employment, contingent upon receiving a provisional license, in a critical social work workforce shortage position, area, or setting requiring a social work license: Provided, That such employment shall not be as an independent practitioner, contracted employee, sole proprietor, consultant, or other nonregular employment;

(5) Have satisfied the board that he or she merits the public trust by providing the board with three letters of recommendation from persons not related to the applicant;

(6) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in §27-1A-11 of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in an acknowledged substance abuse treatment and/or recovery program, may be considered;

(7) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for license, which conviction remains unreversed;

(8) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of social work, which conviction remains unreversed; and

(9) Meet any other requirements established by the board.

(b) The board shall promulgate emergency rules, in accordance with §29A-3-15 of this code, to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) A provisionally licensed social worker may become a licensed social worker by completing the following:

(1) Be continuously employed for four years as a social worker and supervised: Provided, That should an individual lose his or her employment due to a reduction in force, or be unable to work due to medical reasons, the individual may request that the Board allow for a reasonable interruption in continuous employment and provide additional time for the individual to complete the requirements of the provisional license. The board shall promulgate by legislative rule the supervision requirements;

(2) Complete 12 credit hours of core social work study from a program accredited by the council on social work education, as defined by legislative rule, within the four-year provisional license period;

(3) Complete continuing education as required by legislative rule; and

(4) Pass an examination approved by the board.