CR 19-137 Rule Text

457.03 (3) Upon the advice of the social worker section, promulgate rules establishing levels of social work practice for individuals with master’s or doctoral degrees in social work, in addition to the levels of practice for which certificates are granted under s. 457.08 (2) and (3), and establishing appropriate educational, training, experience, examination, and continuing education requirements for certification and renewal of a certificate at each level of practice established in rules promulgated under this subsection.

Related statute or rule: None.

Plain language analysis:

The rule project clarifies that there are two separate examinations required for licensure as a social worker, one which tests whether or not the applicant is competent in their area of practice, and another which tests the applicant’s knowledge of Wisconsin statutes and rules related to their practice area. Currently, the rules refer to the examinations as two parts of the same examination, when they are actually two separate examinations.

The rules currently exempt an applicant from taking the Wisconsin statutes and rules examination if they have passed the examination as part of an application for another social worker credential within the last five years. The rule project removes the five-year requirement.

The rule project also repeals obsolete provisions relating to examination review and claims of examination error, as well as a provision allowing the Board to deny the release of grades or issuance of a credential if the board determines that the applicant violated rules of conduct or otherwise acted dishonestly.

Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: None.

Summary of public comments received on statement of scope and a description of how and to what extent those comments and feedback were taken into account in drafting the proposed rule: N/A

Comparison with rules in adjacent states:

Illinois:

Illinois requires applicants for licensure as a marriage and family therapist to pass the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) national examination (Ill. Admin. Code s. 1283.40). Social work applicants are required to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) master’s examination for a licensed social workers, and the clinical examination for clinical social workers. (Ill. Admin. Code s. 1470.70). For licensure as a professional counselor, an applicant may pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCC) (Ill. Admin. Code s. 1375.60). Licensure as a clinical professional counselor requires passage of the NCE in addition to the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) (Ill. Admin. Code s. 1375.150 (a)).

There is not a state statute specific examination. Nor do the social work, marriage and family therapy, nor professional counselor rules contain procedures for the review of examination or claims of examination error, nor a provision relating to the denial of the release of grades or issuance of a credential if the board determines that the applicant violated the rules of conduct or otherwise acted dishonestly.

Iowa: Iowa requires an applicant for licensure as a marital and family therapist to pass the AMFTRB examination in marital and family therapy (IAC 31.3 (1) (a)). Applicants for licensure as mental health counselor are required to pass either the NCE or the NCMHCE) (IAC 31.3 (1) (b)). Applicants for a social work license must pass the ASWB examination at the level commensurate with their credential (IAC 280.4 (1)). For example, a bachelor level social worker must pass the basic level examination, a master level social worker must pass the intermediate level examination, and an independent level social worker must pass the clinical level examination (Id.).

There is not a state statute specific examination. Nor do the social work, marriage and family therapy, nor professional counselor rules contain procedures for the review of examination or claims of examination error, nor a provision relating to the denial of the release of grades or issuance of a credential if the board determines that the applicant violated the rules of conduct or otherwise acted dishonestly.

Michigan: Applicants for licensure as a marriage and family therapist must pass the AMFTRB marital and family therapy examination (R. 338.7205 (d)). Bachelor’s level social workers must pass the ASWB bachelor’s examination (R. 338.2941 (1) (c)), master’s level social workers must pass either the ASWB advanced generalist examination or clinical examination (R. 338.2951 (1) (b) and 338.2953 (b)). Licensure as a professional counselor requires passage of either the NCE or CRCC examination (R. 338.1752 (3) (b)).

There is not a state statute specific examination. Nor do the social work, marriage and family therapy, nor professional counselor rules contain procedures for the review of examination or claims of examination error, nor a provision relating to the denial of the release of grades or issuance of a credential if the board determines that the applicant violated the rules of conduct or otherwise acted dishonestly.

Minnesota: Licensure as a marriage and family therapist in Minnesota requires passage of both the AMFTRB marital and family therapy examination as well as a state oral examination testing knowledge of state laws, ethics, and professional responsibilities (Minn. Admin. Code 5300.0130 (1) (F)). Licensure as a professional counselor is set by state statute, and requires passage of the NCE or an equivalent national examination as determined by the board, and ethical, oral, and situational examinations if prescribed by the board (Minn. Stats. 148B.53 (1) (a) 5.). It does not appear that the board has approved additional examinations or prescribed additional testing by rule.

Licensure as a licensed social worker requires passage of the ASWB bachelor’s examination (Minn. Stats. 148E.055 (2) (a) 2.), passage of the master’s examination administered by the ASWB for licensure as a licensed graduate social worker (Minn. Stats. 148E.055 (3) (a) 2.), passage of the advanced generalist ASWB examination for licensure as an independent social worker (Minn. Stats. 148E.055 (4) (a) 3.), and passage of the ASWB clinical examination for licensure as a clinical social worker (Minn. Stats. 148E.055 (5) (a) 4.).

There is not a state statute specific examination for professional counselors and social workers. Neither the social work, marriage and family therapy, nor professional counselor rules nor statutes contain procedures for the review of examination or claims of examination error, nor a provision relating to the denial of the release of grades or issuance of a credential if the board determines that the applicant violated the rules of conduct or otherwise acted dishonestly.

Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:

The Board reviewed its rules with the purpose of updating its processes and procedures. This rule removes obsolete provisions and clarifies and streamlines examination provisions which impact all the professions credentialed by the Board.

Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:

The rule was posted on the department’s website for 14 days to solicit input on possible economic impact. No comments were received.

Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:

The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.

Effect on small business:

These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at [e-mail], or by calling [phone].

Agency contact person:

Jon Derenne, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 4822 Madison Yards Way, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708; telephone [phone]; email at [e-mail].

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TEXT OF RULE

Section 1. MPSW 1.05 (3) and (5) are repealed.

Section 2. MPSW 1.05 (6) is amended to read:

MPSW 1.05 (6) Applicants shall pass each part of the examination. An applicant who fails either part I or part II of the an examination shall retake that part of the examination. The passing grade on each part of the examination is determined by the board to represent competence sufficient to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

The board may adopt the recommended passing score of the examination provider for part I of the examination testing entry level competency.

Section 3. MPSW 1.05 (7), 1.06 and 1.07 are repealed.

Section 4. MPSW 3.01 (3) is amended to read:

MPSW 3.01 (3) Verification of successful completion of the examination required examinations.

Section 5. MPSW 3.05 (3) is amended to read:

MPSW 3.05 (3) Verification of successful completion of the examination required examinations.

Section 6. MPSW 3.07 (4) is amended to read:

MPSW 3.07 (4) Verification of successful completion of the examination approved by the sectionrequired examinations, or verification that the applicant has obtained certification of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) of the National Association of Social Workers.

Section 7. MPSW 3.09 (4) is amended to read:

MPSW 3.09 (4) Verification of successful completion of the examination approved by the sectionrequired examinations, or verification that the applicant is a board certified diplomat (BCD) of the American Board of Examiners in clinical social work

Section 8. MPSW 3.11 is amended to read:

MPSW 3.11 (1) The social worker section may issue a temporary certificate permitting the use of the title “social worker” to an individual who pays the fee under s. 440.05 (6), Stats., and who meets all the qualifications for the social worker certificate except for passing the required examinationexaminations.