What's happening
This bill updates licensing requirements for master social workers, establishing a new one-year filing period after the 2019 amendment.
Why it matters
Expands opportunity for experienced social workers. The bill creates a new one-year window for individuals with a master’s in social work and five years of post-graduate experience (who have not taken the exam) to obtain a master social worker license, potentially benefiting those who missed the original deadline.
Addresses workforce gaps and barriers. By reopening the pathway for seasoned professionals to become licensed, the bill may help alleviate shortages in the social work workforce and reduce bureaucratic barriers for those already effectively practicing.
Recognizes professional experience. The amendment values real-world, post-graduate experience as a qualification for licensure, not just academic credentials or exam performance, which could diversify and strengthen the pool of licensed social workers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Easier Licensing for Social Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Fast-Track Social Work Licenses
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Diana Richardson
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4887
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 28, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, BAILEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of licensed social workers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 7707 of the education law, as amended by chapter 230 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
2. Any person who possesses a master's of social work degree on the effective date of this section, who has five years of post-graduate social work employment and meets the requirements for a license pursuant to this article, except for examination, and who files with the department within one year [of] after the effective date of [this section] the chapter of the laws of two thousand nineteen which amended this subdivision, shall be licensed as a licensed master social worker.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04517-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of licensed social workers
Purpose
This bill will allow a person with a master's of social worker degree who meets certain requirements to file to be licensed within one year of the effective date of this act.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 subdivision 2 of section 7707 of the education law, as amended by chapter 230 of the laws of 2004, by adding a new subdivision is amended to read as follows: any person who possesses a master's of social work degree on the effective date of this section, who has five years of post-graduate social work employment and meets the requirements for a license pursuant to this article, except for examination, and who files with the department within one year (of) after the effective date of (this section) the chapter of the laws of two thousand thirteen which amended this subdivision, shall be licensed as a licensed master social worker.
Justification
The chapter of the laws of two thousand thirteen which amended this subdivision, shall be licensed as a licensed Master Social Worker.
Legislative history
2017-18: S3592A - AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION 2015-16: S.3982A - Amend and Recommit to Higher Education 2013-14: S.3197 - Referred to Higher Education 2011-12: S.1486 - Referred to Higher Education 2009-10: S.2545A/A.10804 - Referred to Higher Education 2008: S.8785 - Referred to Higher Education
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act takes effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.