Senate Bill 140 introduces a new pathway for individuals seeking social work credentials in Wisconsin by allowing them to obtain provisional social worker certificates and licenses without passing the national examination. The bill amends existing statutes related to social work credentials and creates new sections that outline the requirements for obtaining provisional credentials. Specifically, individuals who have taken the relevant examination but did not pass, yet meet other credentialing requirements, can receive a provisional credential. This provisional status allows them to practice at the corresponding level of social work, use the appropriate title, and mandates that they receive supervision during their practice.

The bill also establishes a structured supervision requirement for provisional certificate holders, stipulating that they must complete a minimum of 37.5 hours of supervision, including specific in-person supervision criteria, within their first 2,000 hours of practice. Additionally, the bill outlines the process for transitioning from a provisional to a nonprovisional credential upon successful completion of the required supervised practice and evaluations. The new legal language includes provisions for the creation of rules by the examining board regarding supervision and evaluation processes, ensuring that provisional social workers are adequately supported and assessed during their practice.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 440.08(2)(a)(intro.), 440.08, 457.08(1)(intro.), 457.08, 457.08(2)(intro.), 457.08(3)(intro.), 457.08(4)(intro.)