Title 201 | Chapter 023 | Regulation 120REG
PROPOSED
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BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Social Work
(Amended at ARRS Committee)
201 KAR 23:120.Equivalency standard.
Section 1.
In determining equivalency, the board shall(1)
Human behavior and the social environment;(2)
Social welfare policy and service;(3)
Research;(4)
Social work practice; and(5)
Educational practicum.Section 2.
(1)
In human behavior and the social environment emphasis shall(2)
Social welfare policy and service courses shall include at least three (3) hours at the upper division social work or social welfare courses, built on courses in political science and economics. In the absence of political science and economics, there shall be at least six (6) hours in the social welfare policies and services area.(3)
Research courses shall be one three (3) hour social research course based on(4)
Social work practicum shall include six (6) hours of social work practice courses taught by an individual with an advanced degree in social work. In the absence of classes in lower division social work methods, three (3) additional hours shall be required in a lower division course, totaling nine (9) hours.(5)
Practicum shall be taught by an individual with an advanced degree in social work for at least 450 hours. Two (2) hours per week of supervision shall be required by an individual with an advanced degree in social work.Section 3.
Limitations on Equivalency.(1)
Equivalency established in Sections 1 and 2 of this administrative regulation only qualifies an applicant for a Kentucky single-state license as a licensed social worker under KRS 335.090 or a certified social worker under KRS 335.080.(2)
Equivalency established in this administrative regulation shall not apply to applicants for a licensed clinical social worker license under KRS 335.100.(3)
To qualify for a multistate license under KRS 335.135, an applicant shall hold a bachelor's or master's degree in social work from a program that(a)
Is accredited by the CSWE(b)(c)
Meets all other requirements for the multistate license as set forth in KRS 335.135.Section 4.
Background Check. Equivalency applicants shall:(1)
(2)
Pay the application fee of twenty-five (25) dollars required by 201 KAR 23:020 and the cost of the background check.FILED WITH LRC: October 13, 2026
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.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Social Work
(Amended at ARRS Committee)
201 KAR 23:120.Equivalency standard.
Section 1.
In determining equivalency, the board shall compare any program to that of a master's or bachelor's degree from a Council on Social WorkEducation (CSWE) accredited school. In determining equivalency, the board shall require that the educational content of a program shall include:(1)
Human behavior and the social environment;(2)
Social welfare policy and service;(3)
Research;(4)
Social work practice; and(5)
Educational practicum.Section 2.
(1)
In human behavior and the social environment emphasis shall be placed on the psychosocial situation. Six (6) hours of these courses shall be at the upper division, or three (3) hours if built on a base of psychological and sociological courses.(2)
Social welfare policy and service courses shall include at least three (3) hours at the upper division social work or social welfare courses, built on courses in political science and economics. In the absence of political science and economics, there shall be at least six (6) hours in the social welfare policies and services area.(3)
Research courses shall be one three (3) hour social research course based on basic research.(4)
Social work practicum shall include six (6) hours of social work practice courses taught by an individual with an advanced degree in social work. In the absence of classes in lower division social work methods, three (3) additional hours shall be required in a lower division course, totaling nine (9) hours.(5)
Practicum shall be taught by an individual with an advanced degree in social work for at least 450 hours. Two (2) hours per week of supervision shall be required by an individual with an advanced degree in social work.Section 3.
Limitations on Equivalency.(1)
Equivalency established in Sections 1 and 2 of this administrative regulation only qualifies an applicant for a Kentucky single-state license as a licensed social worker under KRS 335.090 or a certified social worker under KRS 335.080.(2)
Equivalency established in this administrative regulation shall not apply to applicants for a licensed clinical social worker license under KRS 335.100.(3)
To qualify for a multistate license under KRS 335.135, an applicant shall hold a bachelor's or master's degree in social work from a program that:(a)
Is accredited by the CSWE or in candidacy with CSWE at the time of the applicant's graduation and subsequently becomes accredited; and(b)
Meets all other requirements for the multistate license as set forth in KRS 335.135.Section 4.
Background Check. Equivalency applicants shall:(1)
Complete a background check in accordance with KRS 335.160; and(2)
Pay the application fee of twenty-five (25) dollars required by 201 KAR 23:020 and the cost of the background check.FILED WITH LRC: October 13, 2026
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.