Title 201 | Chapter 023 | Regulation 072REG
PROPOSED
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PREVIOUS VERSION
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BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Social Work
(New Administrative Regulation)
201 KAR 23:072.Examination requirements.
Section 1.
Examination for Licensed Social Worker. The national examination shall be the Bachelors Examination developed and owned by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and administered by the ASWB or its designated examination contractor.Section 2.
Examination for Certified Social Worker. The national examination shall be the Masters Examination developed and owned by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and administered by the ASWB or its designated examination contractor.Section 3.
Examination for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The national examination shall be the Clinical Examination developed and owned by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and administered by the ASWB or its designated examination contractor.Section 4.
Administration of examinations.(1)
The applicable examinations set forth in Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this administrative regulation shall be taken by computer administration.(2)
The board shall submit to the ASWB or its examination contractor a list of applicants eligible to sit for the applicable examination.Section 5.
Time of examinations.(1)
The applicant shall sit for the applicable examination set forth in Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this administrative regulation within one (1) year of the notice of the application being approved by the board. An applicant may sit for the referenced examinations at any approved ASWB examination contractor testing center in the United States, U.S. Territories, or Canada.(2)
If an applicant loses eligibility to sit for the applicable examination because of failure to reschedule, cancel, or appear to take the applicable examination as stated in subsection (1) of this section:(a)
The applicant shall forfeit all fees paid; and(b)
Any temporary license issued to the applicant shall be terminated.Section 6.
Examination for licensure as a social worker.(1)
The applicant shall pass the Bachelors Examination in accordance with section (1) of this administrative regulation.(2)
The applicant shall obtain a scaled score of seventy percent or greater or shall have obtained a previous national passing score as set by the ASWB which satisfied the licensure requirement at the time of that examination. The applicant shall be notified by the board of the score, as well as of passing or failing the examination.Section 7.
Examination for certification as a social worker.(1)
The applicant shall pass the Masters Examination in accordance with section (2) of this administrative regulation.(2)
The applicant shall obtain a scaled score of seventy percent or greater or shall have obtained a previous national passing score as set by the ASWB which satisfied the certification requirement at the time of that examination. The applicant shall be notified by the board of the score, as well as of passing or failing the examination.Section 8.
Examination for licensure as a clinical social worker.(1)
The applicant shall pass the Clinical Examination in accordance with section (3) of this administrative regulation.(2)
The applicant shall obtain a scaled score of seventy percent or greater or shall have obtained a previous national passing score as set by the ASWB which satisfied the licensure requirement at the time of that examination. The applicant shall be notified by the board of the score, as well as of passing or failing the examination.HANK CECIL, LCSW, Board Chair
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 15, 2026
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 was 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, Boards and Commissions, Licensing
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes the examination requirements for credentials issued by the Board.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This regulation is necessary to establish examination requirements for credentials issued by the Board as authorized by KRS 335.070.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 335.070 authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations establishing examination requirements for a license to practice as a licensed social worker, certified social worker, and a licensed clinical social worker. This administrative regulation establishes those examination requirements.
(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 by establishing defined examination requirements for applicants.
(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 is a new administrative regulation.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This is a new administrative regulation. .
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This is a new administrative regulation.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This is a new administrative regulation.
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
No.
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
Applicants for licensure with the Board.
(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:
Future applicants will take the examinations as specified by this administrative regulation.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
No costs are associated with this administrative regulation.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
Future applicants will know which test they are required to take and will benefit from a uniform examination procedure.
(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:
Existing agency funds. This administrative regulation does not establish fees. Funding for the KBSW comes from licensure and certification fees; the board does not receive any general funds.
(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:
There is no anticipation of an increase in fees or needed funding to implement this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
No fees are established or increased by this administrative regulation.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
No. All regulated entities have the same requirements according to their application status.
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 335.070.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
KRS 335.070.
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The Kentucky Board of Social Work.
(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:
None
For subsequent years:
None
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
(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:
None
For subsequent years:
None
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
None.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
(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:
There is no fiscal impact from this administrative regulation.
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This administrative regulation establishes examination requirements and has no costs, fees, or revenues associated with it.
(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):
This administrative regulation will not have a major economic impact as defined.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This administrative regulation establishes examination requirements and has no costs, fees, or revenues associated with it.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Social Work
(New Administrative Regulation)
201 KAR 23:072.Examination requirements.
Section 1.
Examination for Licensed Social Worker. The national examination shall be the Bachelors Examination developed and owned by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and administered by the ASWB or its designated examination contractor.Section 2.
Examination for Certified Social Worker. The national examination shall be the Masters Examination developed and owned by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and administered by the ASWB or its designated examination contractor.Section 3.
Examination for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The national examination shall be the Clinical Examination developed and owned by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and administered by the ASWB or its designated examination contractor.Section 4.
Administration of examinations.(1)
The applicable examinations set forth in Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this administrative regulation shall be taken by computer administration.(2)
The board shall submit to the ASWB or its examination contractor a list of applicants eligible to sit for the applicable examination.Section 5.
Time of examinations.(1)
The applicant shall sit for the applicable examination set forth in Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this administrative regulation within one (1) year of the notice of the application being approved by the board. An applicant may sit for the referenced examinations at any approved ASWB examination contractor testing center in the United States, U.S. Territories, or Canada.(2)
If an applicant loses eligibility to sit for the applicable examination because of failure to reschedule, cancel, or appear to take the applicable examination as stated in subsection (1) of this section:(a)
The applicant shall forfeit all fees paid; and(b)
Any temporary license issued to the applicant shall be terminated.Section 6.
Examination for licensure as a social worker.(1)
The applicant shall pass the Bachelors Examination in accordance with section (1) of this administrative regulation.(2)
The applicant shall obtain a scaled score of seventy percent or greater or shall have obtained a previous national passing score as set by the ASWB which satisfied the licensure requirement at the time of that examination. The applicant shall be notified by the board of the score, as well as of passing or failing the examination.Section 7.
Examination for certification as a social worker.(1)
The applicant shall pass the Masters Examination in accordance with section (2) of this administrative regulation.(2)
The applicant shall obtain a scaled score of seventy percent or greater or shall have obtained a previous national passing score as set by the ASWB which satisfied the certification requirement at the time of that examination. The applicant shall be notified by the board of the score, as well as of passing or failing the examination.Section 8.
Examination for licensure as a clinical social worker.(1)
The applicant shall pass the Clinical Examination in accordance with section (3) of this administrative regulation.(2)
The applicant shall obtain a scaled score of seventy percent or greater or shall have obtained a previous national passing score as set by the ASWB which satisfied the licensure requirement at the time of that examination. The applicant shall be notified by the board of the score, as well as of passing or failing the examination.HANK CECIL, LCSW, Board Chair
APPROVED BY AGENCY: June 15, 2026
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 was 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, Boards and Commissions, Licensing
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes the examination requirements for credentials issued by the Board.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This regulation is necessary to establish examination requirements for credentials issued by the Board as authorized by KRS 335.070.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
KRS 335.070 authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations establishing examination requirements for a license to practice as a licensed social worker, certified social worker, and a licensed clinical social worker. This administrative regulation establishes those examination requirements.
(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 by establishing defined examination requirements for applicants.
(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 is a new administrative regulation.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This is a new administrative regulation. .
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This is a new administrative regulation.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This is a new administrative regulation.
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
No.
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
Applicants for licensure with the Board.
(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:
Future applicants will take the examinations as specified by this administrative regulation.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
No costs are associated with this administrative regulation.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
Future applicants will know which test they are required to take and will benefit from a uniform examination procedure.
(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:
Existing agency funds. This administrative regulation does not establish fees. Funding for the KBSW comes from licensure and certification fees; the board does not receive any general funds.
(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:
There is no anticipation of an increase in fees or needed funding to implement this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
No fees are established or increased by this administrative regulation.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
No. All regulated entities have the same requirements according to their application status.
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 335.070.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
KRS 335.070.
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The Kentucky Board of Social Work.
(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:
None
For subsequent years:
None
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
(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:
None
For subsequent years:
None
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
None.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
None
For subsequent years:
None
(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:
There is no fiscal impact from this administrative regulation.
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This administrative regulation establishes examination requirements and has no costs, fees, or revenues associated with it.
(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):
This administrative regulation will not have a major economic impact as defined.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
This administrative regulation establishes examination requirements and has no costs, fees, or revenues associated with it.