Chapter MPSW 3

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

MPSW 3.07(5) (5) Verification of the applicant’s credential in all jurisdictions in which the applicant has ever been credentialed.

MPSW 3.07(6) (6) Documentation necessary for the section to determine, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., whether any of the following apply:

MPSW 3.07(6)(a) (a) The applicant has a pending charge for an exempt offense as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (b), Stats. or a violent crime against a child, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (d), Stats., which is substantially related to the practice of an independent social worker.

MPSW 3.07(6)(b) (b) The applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of an independent social worker.

MPSW 3.07 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1993, No. 455, eff. 12-1-93; CR 01-153: am. (3), Register July 2002 No. 559, eff. 1-1-03; CR 02-105: am. (3) and (5), Register October 2002 No. 562, eff. 11-1-02; reprinted to restore dropped copy in (3), Register January 2003 No. 565; CR 03-090: am. (2) Register June 2004 No. 582, eff. 7-1-04; CR 19-116: r. and recr. (6) Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (6) (a) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773; CR 19-137: am. (4) Register August 2020 No. 776, eff. 9-1-20.

MPSW 3.09 MPSW 3.09 Application for licensure as a clinical social worker. In addition to paying the fee under s. 440.05 (1), Stats., an applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker shall submit the completed, signed application form and:

MPSW 3.09(1) (1) A certificate of professional education, signed and sealed by the chancellor, dean or registrar of the school from which the applicant has graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree in social work with a concentration in clinical social work, including completion of supervised clinical field training. In lieu of supervised clinical field training, applicants may submit an affidavit indicating that they have completed 1,500 hours of supervised clinical social work experience in not less than one year within a primary clinical setting, which includes at least 500 hours of face-to-face client contact and is supervised as provided in s. MPSW 4.01.

MPSW 3.09(2) (2) Verification that the school or program which awarded the social work degree was accredited by, or a pre-accreditation program, of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the time the applicant graduated from the program or school, or that a degree awarded by a foreign institution of higher learning has been determined by the CSWE to be equivalent to a program accredited by the CSWE. If the applicant’s education was not received in English, the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English by achieving a score of 550 (or 213 on the computer-based exam) or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an equivalent score on an equivalent examination.

MPSW 3.09(3) (3) Except as provided in sub. (3m), an affidavit that the applicant, after receiving a master’s or doctoral degree and after receiving certification as an advanced practice social worker or an independent social worker, has completed at least 3,000 hours of clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact. At least 600 hours of the required 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact must involve DSM diagnosis and treatment of individuals. All hours must be accumulated under the supervision of a supervisor approved by the social worker section. Pre-licensed supervised practice shall meet the criteria under s. MPSW 4.01.

MPSW 3.09(3m) (3m) An applicant who after receiving a master’s or doctoral degree in social work and completing any portion of the applicant’s 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work practice outside of Wisconsin in no less than 2 years may be given credit for those hours provided they included at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, or a proportionate number thereof, and also included DSM diagnosis and treatment of individuals, completed under the supervision of a supervisor acceptable to the social worker section.

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

MPSW 3.09(5) (5) Verification of the applicant’s credential in all jurisdictions in which the applicant has ever been credentialed.

MPSW 3.09(6) (6) Documentation necessary for the section to determine, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., whether any of the following apply:

MPSW 3.09(6)(a) (a) The applicant has a pending charge for an exempt offense, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (b), Stats., or a violent crime against a child, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (d), Stats., which is substantially related to the practice of a licensed clinical social worker.

MPSW 3.09(6)(b) (b) The applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of a licensed clinical social worker.

MPSW 3.09 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1993, No. 455, eff. 12-1-93; CR 01-153: am. (3), Register July 2002 No. 559, eff. 1-1-03; CR 02-105: am. (intro.), (3) and (5), Register October 2002 No. 562, eff. 11-1-02; reprinted to restore dropped copy in (3), Register January 2003 No. 565; CR 03-090: am. (2) Register June 2004 No. 582, eff. 7-1-04; CR 05-042: am. (1) Register December 2005 No. 600, eff. 1-1-06; CR 08-089: am. (3), cr. (3m) Register June 2009 No. 642, eff. 7-1-09; CR 19-116: r. and recr. (6) Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (6) (a) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773; CR 19-137: am. (4) Register August 2020 No. 776, eff. 9-1-20; CR 19-138: am. (3) Register August 2020 No. 776, eff. 9-1-20.

MPSW 3.11 MPSW 3.11 Temporary certificate or license.

MPSW 3.11(1) (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 examinations.

MPSW 3.11(2) (2) The social worker section may issue a temporary certificate permitting the use of the title “advanced practice social worker” to an individual who pays the fee under s. 440.05 (6), Stats., and who meets all the qualifications for the advanced practice social worker certificate except for passing the required examinations.

MPSW 3.11(3) (3) The social worker section may issue a temporary certificate permitting the use of the title “independent social worker” to an individual who pays the fee under s. 440.05 (6), Stats., and who meets all the qualifications for the independent social worker certificate except for passing the required examinations.

MPSW 3.11(4) (4) The social worker section may issue a temporary license permitting the practice of clinical social work and the use of the title “clinical social worker” to an individual who pays the fee under s. 440.05 (6), Stats., and who meets all the qualifications for the clinical social worker license except for passing the required examinations.

MPSW 3.11(5) (5) The temporary credential expires upon notification of successful completion of the required examinations or expiration of the 9 month period, whichever is earlier. The temporary credential may be renewed once.

MPSW 3.11 History History: Cr. Register, November, 1993, No. 455, eff. 12-1-93; am. Register, December, 1995, No. 480, eff. 1-1-96; CR 01-095: am. Register March 2002 No. 555, eff. 4-1-02; CR 02-105: r. and recr., Register October 2002 No. 562, eff. 11-1-02; CR 05-041: am. (5) Register December 2005 No. 600, eff. 1-1-06; CR 13-094: am. (5) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-14; CR 19-137: am. Register August 2020 No. 776, eff. 9-1-20.

MPSW 3.12 MPSW 3.12 Reciprocal certificate or license.

MPSW 3.12(1) (1) Except as provided in s. MPSW 3.125, the social worker section shall grant a certificate as a social worker under s. 457.08 (1), Stats., to an applicant who pays the fee required by s. 440.05 (2), Stats., and provides evidence of all of the following to the section:

MPSW 3.12(1)(a) (a) The applicant has a current credential as a social worker or the substantial equivalent in good standing in another state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(1)(b) (b) The requirements for the grant of the credential in the other state or territory of the United States are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the grant of the certificate under s. 457.08 (1), Stats.

MPSW 3.12(1)(c) (c) The applicant has disclosed all discipline ever taken or currently pending against the applicant or any professional credential held by the applicant by any credentialing authority of any state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(1)(d) (d) Documentation necessary for the section to determine, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., whether any of the following apply:

MPSW 3.12(1)(d)1. 1. The applicant has a pending charge for an exempt offense, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (b), Stats., or a violent crime against a child, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (d), Stats., that is substantially related to the practice of a social worker.

MPSW 3.12(1)(d)2. 2. The applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of a social worker.

MPSW 3.12(1)(e) (e) The applicant passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to social work.

MPSW 3.12(2) (2) The social worker section shall grant a certificate as an advanced practice social worker under s. 457.08 (1) and (2), Stats., to an applicant who pays the fee required by s. 440.05 (2), Stats., and provides evidence of all of the following to the section:

MPSW 3.12(2)(a) (a) The applicant has a current credential as an advanced practice social worker or the substantial equivalent in good standing in another state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(2)(b) (b) The requirements for the grant of the credential in the other state or territory of the United States are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the grant of a certificate under s. 457.08 (2), Stats.

MPSW 3.12(2)(c) (c) The applicant has disclosed all discipline ever taken or currently pending against the applicant or any professional credential held by the applicant or by any credentialing authority of any state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(2)(d) (d) Documentation necessary for the section to determine, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., whether any of the following apply:

MPSW 3.12(2)(d)1. 1. The applicant has a pending charge for an exempt offense, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (b), Stats., or a violent crime against a child, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (d), Stats., that is substantially related to the practice of an advanced practice social worker.

MPSW 3.12(2)(d)2. 2. The applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of an advanced practice social worker.

MPSW 3.12(2)(e) (e) The applicant passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to social work.

MPSW 3.12(3) (3) The social worker section shall grant a certificate as an independent social worker under s. 457.08 (1) and (3), Stats., to an applicant who pays the fee required by s. 440.05 (2), Stats., and provides evidence of all of the following to the section:

MPSW 3.12(3)(a) (a) The applicant has a current credential as an independent social worker or the substantial equivalent in good standing in another state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(3)(b) (b) The requirements for the grant of the credential in the other state or territory of the United States are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the grant of a certificate under s. 457.08 (3), Stats.

MPSW 3.12(3)(c) (c) The applicant has disclosed all discipline ever taken or currently pending against the applicant or any professional credential held by the applicant by any credentialing authority of any state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(3)(d) (d) Documentation necessary for the section to determine, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., whether any of the following apply:

MPSW 3.12(3)(d)1. 1. The applicant has a pending charge for an exempt offense, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (b), Stats., or a violent crime against a child, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (d), Stats., that is substantially related to the practice of an independent social worker.

MPSW 3.12(3)(d)2. 2. The applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of an independent social worker.

MPSW 3.12(3)(e) (e) The applicant passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to social work.

MPSW 3.12(4) (4) The social worker section shall grant a license as a clinical social worker under s. 457.08 (1) and (4), Stats., to an applicant who pays the fee required under s. 440.05 (2), Stats., and provides evidence of all of the following to the section:

MPSW 3.12(4)(a) (a) The applicant has a current credential as a clinical social worker or the substantial equivalent in good standing in another state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(4)(b) (b) The requirements for granting the credential in the other state or territory of the United States are substantially equivalent to the requirements for granting a license under s. 457.08 (4), Stats.

MPSW 3.12(4)(c) (c) The applicant has disclosed all discipline ever taken or currently pending against the applicant or any professional credential held by the applicant by any credentialing authority of any state or territory of the United States.

MPSW 3.12(4)(d) (d) Documentation necessary for the section to determine, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., whether any of the following apply:

MPSW 3.12(4)(d)1. 1. The applicant has a pending charge for an exempt offense, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (b), Stats., or a violent crime against a child, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (d), Stats., that is substantially related to the practice of a clinical social worker.

MPSW 3.12(4)(d)2. 2. The applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of a clinical social worker.

MPSW 3.12(4)(e) (e) The applicant passes an examination approved by the social worker section that tests knowledge of state law relating to social work.

MPSW 3.12 History History: Cr. Register November, 1994, No. 467, eff. 12-1-94; CR 02-105: cr. (1) (e), (2) (e), (3) (e) and (4) (e), am. (intro.), (a) and (b), Register October 2002 No. 562, eff. 11-1-02.; CR 19-116: r. and recr. (1) (d), (2) (d), (3) (d), (4) (d) Register May 2020 No. 773, eff. 6-1-20; correction in (1) (d) 1., 2., (2) (d) 1., 2., (3) (d) 1., 2., (4) (d) 1., 2. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register May 2020 No. 773; CR 21-053: am. (1) (intro.) Register August 2022 No. 800, eff. 9-1-22; correction in (1) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register August 2022 No. 800.

MPSW 3.125 MPSW 3.125 Reciprocal credentials for service members, former service members, and their spouses. The social worker section shall grant a reciprocal certificate or a license to practice social work under s. 457.08, Stats., to a service member, former service member, or the spouse of a service member or former service member who the board determines meets all of the requirements under s. 440.09, Stats. Subject to s. 440.09 (2m), Stats., the board may request verification necessary to make a determination under this section.

MPSW 3.125 Note Note: Application forms are available from the Department of Safety and Professional Services’ website at http://dsps.wi.gov.

MPSW 3.125 History History: CR 21-053: cr. Register August 2022 No. 800, eff. 9-1-22.

MPSW 3.13 MPSW 3.13 Social worker training certificate.

MPSW 3.13(1) (1) Application requirements. The social worker section shall grant a training certificate to an applicant who submits the fee under s. 440.05 (6), Stats., together with the completed, signed application form and all of the following:

MPSW 3.13(1)(a) (a) A certified transcript of professional education verifying that the applicant has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice or another human service program approved by the section from a college or university accredited by an accrediting body nationally recognized by the secretary of the United States department of education. The certified transcript shall be sent directly to the section by the college or university.

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)1. 1. To qualify as “another human service program approved by the section” under s. 457.09 (1) (c), Stats., the program shall award a bachelor’s degree and be one of the following:

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)1.a. a. An organized course of study recognized by the section to contain all five social worker equivalency courses in s. MPSW 3.13 (2) and a course designated as a senior seminar or capstone course.

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)1.b. b. An organized course of study entitled on the transcript as a human services major.

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)1.c. c. Accredited by any accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for programs awarding bachelor’s degrees with a major in “human services”.

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)2. 2. In subd. 1. b., “human services major” means a major which includes all the following courses:

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)2.a. a. An introductory course which contains a general overview of the field of human services, including origins, career opportunities and techniques and methods of helping individuals and groups in need.

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)2.b. b. A course with significant content in professional ethics and values, including confidentiality, boundaries and values in human services occupations.

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)2.c. c. A course with content in qualitative and quantitative social research methods and statistics.

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)2.d. d. A course designated as a senior seminar or capstone course. The capstone course may be an internship with the seminar in which the training certificate applicant is evaluated to have attained the competencies specified in sub. (3m).

MPSW 3.13(1)(a)3. 3. The applicant shall have obtained a grade point average of 2.5 or greater in the major completed in the program under subd. 1. a., 1. b. or 1. c.

MPSW 3.13(1)(b) (b) Verification that the applicant is seeking to attain social worker degree equivalency under s. 457.09 (4), Stats., during the period in which the certificate is valid.

MPSW 3.13(1)(c) (c) Documentation necessary for the section to determine, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, Stats., whether any of the following apply:

MPSW 3.13(1)(c)1. 1. The applicant has a pending charge for an exempt offense, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (b), Stats., or a violent crime against a child, as defined in s. 111.335 (1m) (d), Stats., which is substantially related to the practice of a social worker.

MPSW 3.13(1)(c)2. 2. The applicant has been convicted of a crime substantially related to the practice of a social worker.

MPSW 3.13 Note Note: Application forms are available upon request to the Social Worker Section at 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708.

MPSW 3.13(2) (2) Social worker degree equivalency. To attain social worker degree equivalency to a bachelor’s degree in social work under the terms of s. 457.09 (4) and (4m) (b), Stats., and to qualify to take the national social work examination, a social worker training certificate holder shall demonstrate by certified transcript from an accredited college or university, sent directly to the section, that the applicant has successfully completed with a minimum of a C grade at least a total of 5 courses, each consisting of a minimum of either 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of academic credit. Courses shall be taught by an instructor who holds a master’s degree or a PhD in social work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education unless otherwise approved by the section. The courses shall use a textbook written by a social work educator for social work courses as a primary text, unless otherwise approved by the section. At least three of these courses shall be taken at the same institution, and shall be distributed among the following subject areas:

MPSW 3.13(2)(a) (a) Social welfare policy and services. At least one course of at least 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours academic credit. Qualifying course work in this area shall include the history, mission and philosophy of the social work profession, the impact of social policy on health and well-being, the effect of social policy on social work practice, current social policy analysis, political and organizational processes used to influence policy, the process of policy formulation, and the framework for current social policy analysis in light of the principles of social and economic justice.

MPSW 3.13(2)(b) (b) Social work practice methods with individuals, families, small groups, communities, organizations and social institutions - generalist practice methods. At least 3 courses each consisting of at least 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours academic credit. Qualifying coursework in these areas shall substantively and effectively prepare the student for action to engage with, assess, intervene with, and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The social work practice methods taught shall be evidence-based, and shall emphasize client strengths. Each course shall have infused throughout the curriculum significant course content on social work values, ethics, approaches and skills for practice with clients from differing social, cultural, racial, religious, spiritual and class backgrounds; and systems of all sizes. The content of the three courses shall be coordinated by the college or university to cover the material described below and demonstrate that within the curriculum of the three courses, students shall learn:

MPSW 3.13(2)(b)1. 1. Of the three required social work methods courses, a course in each of the following: social work practice with individuals, social work practice with groups and families, and social work practice with communities, organizations, and social institutions.

MPSW 3.13(2)(b)2. 2. Practice content which emphasizes professional relationships that are characterized by mutuality, collaboration, respect for the client system and incorporates use of professional social work supervision. Coursework shall prepare a student to do all of the following:

MPSW 3.13(2)(b)2.a. a. Use empathy and other interpersonal skills with clients.

MPSW 3.13(2)(b)2.b. b. Develop with the client a mutually agreed upon focus of work and desired outcomes.

MPSW 3.13(2)(b)2.c. c. Collect, organize, and interpret client data.

MPSW 3.13(2)(b)2.d. d. Develop mutually agreed upon intervention goals and objectives.

MPSW 3.13(2)(b)2.e. e. Select appropriate intervention strategies.