TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 63 SOCIAL WORKERS

PART 11 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

16.63.11.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Social Work Examiners P.O. Box 25101, Santa Fe, NM 87504.

[16.63.11.1 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.11.1 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.2 SCOPE: All baccalaureate social workers, master social workers, and independent social workers.

[16.63.11.2 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.11.2 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: These parts are promulgated pursuant to the Social Work Practice Act, Subsection A of Section 61-31-8, 14-2-1, 61-31-19 NMSA 1978.

[16.63.11.3 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.11.3 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.4 DURATION: Permanent

[16.63.11.4 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.11.4 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 13, 2022, unless a different date is cited at the end of a section.

[16.63.11.5 NMAC – Rp, 16.63.11.5 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.6 OBJECTIVE: To state the minimum requirements for licensure as a social worker at the independent level, to outline the parameters of practice at this level, and procedure to renew a license.

[16.63.11.6 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.11.6 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.7 DEFINITIONS: Licensed Clinical Social Worker “LCSW”: A licensed independent social worker who has demonstrated to the board’s satisfaction, sufficient experience and expertise in the practice of clinical social work by meeting the qualifications as outlined in 16.63.11.8 NMAC.

[16.63.11.7 NMAC – Rp, 16.63.11.7 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.8 QUALIFICATION FOR LICENSURE: Applicants for licensure as independent/clinical social workers must:

A. be at least 18 years of age;

B. possess an LMSW license;

C. complete not less than two years of post-graduate direct/ clinical social work experience, under appropriate supervision; as defined in 16.63.1.7 NMAC Applicants and supervisors will engage the process of supervision in accordance with the guidelines established by the board of social work examiners;

D. documents completion of the required course in New Mexico cultures; and

E. successfully pass the association of social work board examination, clinical or advanced, as determined by the board and the jurisprudence examination.

F. Individuals licensed as masters social workers (LMSW) and aspiring to achieve licensure at the independent clinical level must complete and document 3,600 hours of licensed masters level social work experience which has been accumulated over no more than a 60 month period.

G. Applicants for licensure must document 90 hours of supervision during this 3,600 hour period.

(1) One hour of supervision must be documented for every 40 hours worked,

(2) At least 70 of the 90 required hours must be obtained through direct supervision,

(3) No more than 20 hours of the 90 required hours may be obtained through group supervision and there shall be no more than six individuals per group at a time, and

(4) No more than 30 hours of the required 90 hours may be obtained through interdisciplinary supervision.

H. provide proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions as defined in 16.63.13.9 NMAC.

[16.63.11.8 NMAC – Rp, 16.63.11.8 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.9 PARAMETERS OF PRACTICE: This is the highest level of licensure. The licensed clinical independent social worker (LCSW) / (LISW) is to function independently and demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills. The LISW must exercise independent judgment. The LCSW / LISW should be able to demonstrate skill and interventions directly related to individuals, couples, families, groups, communities or organizations. In at least one of these client groups, the LCSW / LISW shall demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills. The LCSW / LISW should be able to employ practice theory and research findings in all aspects of their practice. The LCSW / LISW may supervise LBSWs, LMSWs and other LCSWs / LISWs.

[16.63.11.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.11.9 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.10 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION: Applicants for specialization will be handled by the board on a case by case basis.

[16.63.11.10 NMAC – Rp, 16.63.11.10 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

16.63.11.11 RENEWAL OF LICENSE: Before July 1 of the renewal year, each independent social worker shall apply for license renewal and shall pay the renewal fee as set forth in Part 8.

[16.63.11.11 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.11.11 NMAC, 3/13/2022]

HISTORY OF 16.63.11 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the Commission of Public Records-State Records Center and Archives:

Rule 5, Independent Social Worker, 12/1/1989.

Rule 5, Independent Social Worker, 8/13/1990.

Rule, 11, Independent Social Worker, 4/15/1991.

Rule 11, Independent Social Worker, 5/22/1992.

Rule 11, Independent Social Worker, 12/5/1994.

History of Repealed Material:

16.63.11 NMAC – Clinical Social Worker, filed 5/20/2002 was repealed and replaced by 16.63.11 NMAC Clinical Social Worker, effective 3/13//2022.

Other History:

16.63.11 NMAC – Clinical Social Worker, (filed 5/20/2002) replaced by 16.63.11 NMAC – Clinical Social Worker, effective 3/13/2022.