Title 201 | Chapter 023 | Regulation 020REG
PROPOSED
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PREVIOUS VERSION
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BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Social Work
(Amendment)
201 KAR 23:020.Fees.
Section 1.
The fee for the licensed clinical social worker examination shall be the amount set by the Association of Social Work Boards.Section 2.
The fee for the certified social worker examination shall be the amount set by the Association of Social Work Boards.Section 3.
The fee for the licensed social worker examination shall be the amount set by the Association of Social Work Boards.Section 4.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for a licensed clinical social worker license shall be $200.Section 5.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for a certified social worker license shall be $125.Section 6.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for a licensed social worker shall be seventy-five (75) dollars.Section 7.
The initial license and renewal fee shall be fifty (50) dollars for the following licenses:(1)
The temporary licensed social work license;(2)
The temporary certified social work license;(3)
The renewal of the temporary licensed social work license;(4)
The renewal of the temporary certified social work license;(5)
The out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work and licensed clinical social work.Section 8.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for the multistate license shall be seventy-five (75) dollars for licensed social work, $125 dollars for certified social work and $200 for licensed clinical social work, inclusive of the portion the board pays to the Social Work Compact Commission as set forth in 201 KAR 23:012.Section 9.
The application fee for a license requested from the board shall be twenty-five (25) dollars.(1)
The fee applies to:(a)
The licensed social work license;(b)
The certified social work license;(c)
The licensed clinical social worker license;(d)
The temporary licensed social work license;(e)
The temporary certified social work license;(f)
The renewal of the temporary licensed social work license;(g)
g. The renewal of the temporary certified social work license;(h)
h. The out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work, and licensed clinical social work; and(i)
The multistate license.(2)
The fee is payable at the time of application and is non-refundable.Section 10.
Equivalency. The application fee for an equivalency license requested from the board shall be twenty-five (25) dollars.HANK CECIL, LCSW, Board Chair
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 15, 2026
FILED WITH LRC: June 15, 2026 at 10:35 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on August 31, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., at the Kentucky Board of Social Work, 125 Holmes St., Suite 310, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five (5) workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing is received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made prior to the end of the hearing. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through August 31, 2026. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: Marc Kelly, Executive Director, Kentucky Board of Social Work, 125 Holmes St., Suite 310, Frankfort Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-2350, email marc.kelly@ky.gov.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Marc Kelly Phone: (502) 564-2350 Email: marc.kelly@ky.gov
Subject Headings:
Social Work, Fees, Boards and Commissions
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes fees for license application, licensure and renewal of credentials issued by the Board.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This regulation is necessary to establish application, license and renewal fees for the credentials issued by the Board.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 335070(3) authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and KRS 335.990.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation will assist in effective administration of the statutes by establishing fees by administrative regulation as directed by KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This amendment will change the existing administrative regulation by establishing a fifty (50) dollar fee for initial license and renewal of the temporary licensed social work license, the temporary certified social work license, the temporary licensed social work license, and the out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work and licensed clinical social work; establishing the initial license fee and the renewal fee for the multistate license fee at one-hundred fifty (150) dollars; establishing a twenty-five (25) application fee for credentials issued by the Board; and establishing a twenty-five (25) application fee for an equivalency license.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment is necessary to comply with the statutes referenced above in 1 (d).
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes by establishing fees by administrative regulation as directed by KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes by establishing fees by administrative regulation as directed by KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
Yes, 2026 RS HB 424; KRS 335.135.
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation will affect approximately 8,266 social workers, future applicants, and the Kentucky Board of Social Work.
(5) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (4) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (4) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
The entities identified in question (4) will have to pay the application, licensure, and renewal fees in order to achieve and maintain licensure status.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
Future applicants will pay a twenty-five (25) dollar application fee. Temporary licensees will pay fifty (50) dollars for licensure and renewal. Applicants for multi-state licensure will pay a licensing fee determined by their level of licensure and varying from seventy-five (75) dollars for licensed social workers, one hundred (100) dollars for certified social workers and two hundred (200) dollars for licensed clinical social workers.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
The Board will continue to review and approve or deny applications for licensure and renewals. Licensees will have more flexibility to practice across state lines.
(6) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
No costs are anticipated.
(b) On a continuing basis:
No costs are anticipated.
(7) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation or this amendment:
The Board is self-funded by revenue generated from fees. No general fund dollars will be expended.
(8) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
No increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement any costs associated solely with the implementation of this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation establishes a fifty (50) dollar fee for initial license and renewal of the temporary licensed social work license, the temporary certified social work license, the temporary licensed social work license, and the out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work and licensed clinical social work; establishes the initial license fee and the renewal fee for the multistate license fee at one-hundred fifty (150) dollars; establishes a twenty-five (25) application fee for credentials issued by the Board; and establishes a twenty-five (25) application fee for an equivalency license.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
Yes. Fees are tied to licensure classification, and higher costs are generally associated with more advanced licenses.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation:
KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3) authorize the action taken by this administrative regulation.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
2026 RS HB 424 and KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The Kentucky Board of Social Work. No other state units, parts, or divisions are affected.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected state unit, part, or division identified in (3)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
None.
For subsequent years:
None.
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
No additional revenue is expected.
For subsequent years:
No additional revenue is expected.
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
No cost savings are anticipated.
For subsequent years:
No cost savings are anticipated.
(4)(a) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
No local entities are affected.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected local entity identified in (4)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
No additional entities are identified.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(6) Provide a narrative to explain the following for each entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a)
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation is expected to be revenue neutral for the Board. New fees or fee increases are expected to be offset by a loss of out of state residents seeking licensure only in Kentucky.
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
The Board has surveyed Kentucky licensees with regard to their likelihood of seeking a multistate license and projected the probable loss of out of state applicants seeking licensure in Kentucky.
(7) Explain, as it relates to the entities identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a):
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have a "major economic impact", as defined by KRS 13A.010(14):
($500,000 over a two-year period): This administrative regulation will not have a major economic impact as defined.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
The combined implementation and compliance costs of this administrative regulation will not have a major economic impact because implementation costs are expected to be zero and compliance costs are not projected to approach $500,000 over a two-year period. Stay informed about developments in digital practice standards.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Social Work
(Amendment)
201 KAR 23:020.Fees.
Section 1.
The fee for the licensed clinical social worker examination shall be the amount set by the Association of Social Work Boards.Section 2.
The fee for the certified social worker examination shall be the amount set by the Association of Social Work Boards.Section 3.
The fee for the licensed social worker examination shall be the amount set by the Association of Social Work Boards.Section 4.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for a licensed clinical social worker license shall be $200.Section 5.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for a certified social worker license shall be $125.Section 6.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for a licensed social worker shall be seventy-five (75) dollars.Section 7.
The initial license and renewal fee shall be fifty (50) dollars for the following licenses:(1)
The temporary licensed social work license;(2)
The temporary certified social work license;(3)
The renewal of the temporary licensed social work license;(4)
The renewal of the temporary certified social work license;(5)
The out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work and licensed clinical social work.Section 8.
The initial license fee and the renewal fee for the multistate license shall be seventy-five (75) dollars for licensed social work, $125 dollars for certified social work and $200 for licensed clinical social work, inclusive of the portion the board pays to the Social Work Compact Commission as set forth in 201 KAR 23:012.Section 9.
The application fee for a license requested from the board shall be twenty-five (25) dollars.(1)
The fee applies to:(a)
The licensed social work license;(b)
The certified social work license;(c)
The licensed clinical social worker license;(d)
The temporary licensed social work license;(e)
The temporary certified social work license;(f)
The renewal of the temporary licensed social work license;(g)
g. The renewal of the temporary certified social work license;(h)
h. The out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work, and licensed clinical social work; and(i)
The multistate license.(2)
The fee is payable at the time of application and is non-refundable.Section 10.
Equivalency. The application fee for an equivalency license requested from the board shall be twenty-five (25) dollars.HANK CECIL, LCSW, Board Chair
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 15, 2026
FILED WITH LRC: June 15, 2026 at 10:35 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on August 31, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., at the Kentucky Board of Social Work, 125 Holmes St., Suite 310, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five (5) workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing is received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made prior to the end of the hearing. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through August 31, 2026. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: Marc Kelly, Executive Director, Kentucky Board of Social Work, 125 Holmes St., Suite 310, Frankfort Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-2350, email marc.kelly@ky.gov.
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Marc Kelly Phone: (502) 564-2350 Email: marc.kelly@ky.gov
Subject Headings:
Social Work, Fees, Boards and Commissions
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes fees for license application, licensure and renewal of credentials issued by the Board.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This regulation is necessary to establish application, license and renewal fees for the credentials issued by the Board.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 335070(3) authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and KRS 335.990.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation will assist in effective administration of the statutes by establishing fees by administrative regulation as directed by KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This amendment will change the existing administrative regulation by establishing a fifty (50) dollar fee for initial license and renewal of the temporary licensed social work license, the temporary certified social work license, the temporary licensed social work license, and the out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work and licensed clinical social work; establishing the initial license fee and the renewal fee for the multistate license fee at one-hundred fifty (150) dollars; establishing a twenty-five (25) application fee for credentials issued by the Board; and establishing a twenty-five (25) application fee for an equivalency license.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment is necessary to comply with the statutes referenced above in 1 (d).
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes by establishing fees by administrative regulation as directed by KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes by establishing fees by administrative regulation as directed by KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
Yes, 2026 RS HB 424; KRS 335.135.
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation will affect approximately 8,266 social workers, future applicants, and the Kentucky Board of Social Work.
(5) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (4) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (4) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
The entities identified in question (4) will have to pay the application, licensure, and renewal fees in order to achieve and maintain licensure status.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
Future applicants will pay a twenty-five (25) dollar application fee. Temporary licensees will pay fifty (50) dollars for licensure and renewal. Applicants for multi-state licensure will pay a licensing fee determined by their level of licensure and varying from seventy-five (75) dollars for licensed social workers, one hundred (100) dollars for certified social workers and two hundred (200) dollars for licensed clinical social workers.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
The Board will continue to review and approve or deny applications for licensure and renewals. Licensees will have more flexibility to practice across state lines.
(6) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
No costs are anticipated.
(b) On a continuing basis:
No costs are anticipated.
(7) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation or this amendment:
The Board is self-funded by revenue generated from fees. No general fund dollars will be expended.
(8) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
No increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement any costs associated solely with the implementation of this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation establishes a fifty (50) dollar fee for initial license and renewal of the temporary licensed social work license, the temporary certified social work license, the temporary licensed social work license, and the out-of-state temporary 90-day license for licensed social work, certified social work and licensed clinical social work; establishes the initial license fee and the renewal fee for the multistate license fee at one-hundred fifty (150) dollars; establishes a twenty-five (25) application fee for credentials issued by the Board; and establishes a twenty-five (25) application fee for an equivalency license.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
Yes. Fees are tied to licensure classification, and higher costs are generally associated with more advanced licenses.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation:
KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3) authorize the action taken by this administrative regulation.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
2026 RS HB 424 and KRS 335.080(1)(d), 335.090(1)(d), 335.100(1)(c), 335.080(1)(g), 335.090(1)(g), and 335.100(1)(f), 335.130(1), and 335.070(3).
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The Kentucky Board of Social Work. No other state units, parts, or divisions are affected.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected state unit, part, or division identified in (3)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
None.
For subsequent years:
None.
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
No additional revenue is expected.
For subsequent years:
No additional revenue is expected.
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
No cost savings are anticipated.
For subsequent years:
No cost savings are anticipated.
(4)(a) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
No local entities are affected.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected local entity identified in (4)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
No additional entities are identified.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(6) Provide a narrative to explain the following for each entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a)
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation is expected to be revenue neutral for the Board. New fees or fee increases are expected to be offset by a loss of out of state residents seeking licensure only in Kentucky.
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
The Board has surveyed Kentucky licensees with regard to their likelihood of seeking a multistate license and projected the probable loss of out of state applicants seeking licensure in Kentucky.
(7) Explain, as it relates to the entities identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a):
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have a "major economic impact", as defined by KRS 13A.010(14):
($500,000 over a two-year period): This administrative regulation will not have a major economic impact as defined.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
The combined implementation and compliance costs of this administrative regulation will not have a major economic impact because implementation costs are expected to be zero and compliance costs are not projected to approach $500,000 over a two-year period. Stay informed about developments in digital practice standards.