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 required 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 permits them to practice at the corresponding level of social work, use the appropriate title, and mandates that they complete a specified amount of supervised practice.

The bill also establishes the framework for the supervision required during the provisional period, including the need for at least three hours of supervision for every 160 hours of practice. It details the process for obtaining a nonprovisional credential upon successful completion of the supervised practice and evaluation. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the social worker section to review and approve supervision plans and outlines the consequences for non-compliance with the supervision requirements. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance access to social work practice while ensuring that individuals receive the necessary supervision and evaluation to maintain professional standards.

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.)