Bill No. 1818 amends the Social Worker's Licensing Act to update definitions, qualifications, and membership requirements for the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers. Notable changes include redefining "licensed social work associate" (LSWA) to "licensed bachelor's social worker" (LBSW) and modifying "licensed masters social worker" (LMSW) to "licensed master's social worker." The bill mandates that Board members must hold at least a bachelor's degree and extends the Board's sunset date from 2027 to 2028. It also establishes specific qualifications for obtaining a social work license, requiring applicants to graduate from an approved program and complete necessary postgraduate experience and supervision. Only licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) are permitted to engage in independent practice, explicitly excluding LBSWs and LMSWs.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 1270 of the Social Worker's Licensing Act to make it a misdemeanor for individuals to misrepresent their licensure status, deleting the term "social work associate" and inserting "bachelor's social worker" for clarity. It emphasizes that only duly licensed individuals may offer social work services or use related titles, including licensed master's social worker and licensed clinical social worker, and that telephonic or electronic service provision is regulated. The bill allows the State Board to impose fines up to $500 for unlawful practice, clarifies that other licensed professionals can perform their functions without being classified as social workers, and exempts students in approved programs from licensure during internships or externships. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 59-1253, 59-1261.1
House Committee Substitute: 59-1253, 59-1261.1
Floor (House): 59-1253, 59-1261.1
Engrossed: 59-1253, 59-1261.1