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Important Information About the New Law Regarding Licensed Masters Social Worker

On June 30, 2024, Senate Bill 314 passed legislation removing “supervision” from the scope of practice of a master’s social worker. The new legislation prohibits a master’s social worker from providing supervision to a licensed clinical social worker applicant. Additionally, the new legislation adds a grandfathering provision for an applicant or licensed clinical social worker who started or completed supervision with a master’s social worker on or before, 180 days after enactment, to satisfy the supervision requirement under, and otherwise be in compliance with, § 3907(b)(4) of this title. A master’s social worker who was supervising an applicant before the enactment date can continue to provide supervision until the applicant fulfills the 2-year supervised experience requirement. The law became effective as of September 26, 2024.

To view the bill, click the link below or copy and paste it into your browser:
https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=141481.

An Individual who is newly employed or employed in a new position by a state agency or private or nonprofit agency on or after June 11, 2024, must be licensed under this chapter if the individual provides services as a social worker.
For more information see Title 24 Section 3903(c)(3)

Objective and Function

The primary objective of the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners is to protect the public from unsafe practices and practices which tend to reduce competition or fix prices for services. The Board must also maintain standards of professional competence and service delivery. To meet these objectives, the Board

• develops standards for professional competency
• promulgates rules and regulations
• adjudicates complaints against professionals and, when necessary, imposes disciplinary sanctions.

The Board issues licenses to clinical social workers.

The Board’s statutory authority is in 24 Del. C., Chapter 39.

Meetings

Unless notified otherwise, the Board meets the third Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m., except for August and December. If the regular meeting date is a holiday, the Board meets on the first Monday. All meetings are open to the general public and are held in the Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, in Dover. The meeting schedule is available at the State of Delaware public meeting calendar.

The Board may need to review and approve your application for licensure and will only review a complete application. A complete application includes your application and any documentation submitted through DELPROS and/or any documents submitted through the mail or email from third-parties. The Board will review your documentation at its next scheduled meeting.

Fees required to process your application are non-refundable.