OAR 877-020-0008: Licensing Requirements

To be eligible for an initial clinical social work license, except when the provisions of OAR 877-020-0016 apply, an applicant must meet the requirements in sections (1) through (5) of this rule: (1) The applicant must complete the requirements in OAR 877-020-0009 to receive a certificate of social work associate and must hold a current certificate in good standing, or must have completed the equivalent of this requirement in another state. (2) The applicant must be fit to practice social work in Oregon. In making this fitness determination, the board will consider whether the applicant is subject of an investigation or disciplinary action by a licensing board and the reasons for the action. The board uses the following additional standard and procedure to make a fitness determination: (a) To be fit to practice social work in Oregon, the applicant must have demonstrated and must currently have good moral character as defined by the Board in rule and a personal history of conduct that is consistent with the standards contained in division 30 of this chapter of rules. (b) In the event the applicant’s history includes conduct that may call into question the applicant’s fitness, the board will consider, if made available by the applicant, the amount of time elapsed since the conduct and the applicant’s relevant conduct since the questioned conduct, including remedial or compensatory actions taken by the applicant, if appropriate. (3) The applicant must complete the requirements of an approved plan of practice and supervision in accordance with the rules in this division of rules. (4) The applicant must pass both the following examinations: (a) the examination on BLSW Oregon statutes and rules administered by the board with a score of not less than 90 per cent on the following subjects: (A) The contents of ORS 675.510 to 675.600 and OAR chapter 877, which are the Oregon statutes and administrative rules governing the practice standards and responsibilities of a licensed clinical social worker; and (B) Oregon Revised Statutes relating to mental health practice that may be relevant to clinical social work practice; and (b) the Association of Social Work Boards’ clinical-level examination on the following subjects: (A) Human Development, Diversity and Behavior in the Environment; (B) Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning; (C) Psychotherapy, Clinical Interventions and Case Management; and (D) Professional Ethics and Values.