To update forms and renewal date information and set forth new examination requirements.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Certified Master Social Workers

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

64B25-28.012Application Forms and Requirements

64B25-28.014Renewal of Active Certification

64B25-28.015Examination for Certification

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To update forms and renewal date information and set forth new examination requirements.

SUMMARY: This rulemaking updates forms and renewal date information and sets forth new examination requirements.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION: The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: Based on the SERC checklist, this rulemaking will not have an adverse impact or regulatory costs in excess of $1 million within five years as established in Section 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 491.007(2), 491.015, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 455.217(1)(d), 491.007(2), 491.009, 491.0145, FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Sue Foster, Executive Director, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258, [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B25-28.012 Application Forms and Requirements.

(1) Application for All persons desiring certification as a master social worker shall be file application on a form, or a copy of a form which is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. A copy of this form, DPR/MQA/005, effective  7/15 12/10/90 entitled “Application for Certification Certified Master Social Work Worker” incorporated by reference and available at http://flrules/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-##### may be obtained from the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Certified Master Social Workers, 1940 North Monroe St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0797.

(2) Every applicant for certification shall submit:

(a) The application and the examination or endorsement fee,

(b) A completed application form including the signature of the applicant and any information or documents required as a result of answers to questions on the application,

(c) Two (2) photographs of the applicant, approximately 1.5'' by 2'' in size, taken within the last six months which clearly depict the facial appearance of the applicant,

(d) Three (3) reference forms provided by the Department (as part of the application form referenced in subsection (1) of Rule 64B25-28.012, Florida Administrative Code, above) which have been completed by social work or mental health professionals licensed or certified in this or another state, who have been acquainted with the applicant for more than one year prior to application,

(a)(e) No change.

(b)(f) An oOfficial transcript of all social work related post-secondary education completed by the applicant transcripts of all social work related post-secondary education completed by the applicant. A transcript shall not be considered official unless it is must be received by the Department of Health directly from the office of the registrar of the institution where the education was completed,. and

(3) In addition to the above, Aapplicants who hold or have ever held any professional licensure or certification issued by any state, shall mail to each such state, a form provided by the Department as part of the application for the purpose of verifying the status of such licenses or certifications. (This form is part of the application referenced in subsection (1) of Rule 64B25-28.012, Florida Administrative Code, above)

(4) It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure that all items necessary to complete the application and to document eligibility, including those which must be sent directly from an institution or state licensing or certification authority, are submitted to the Department at least 60 days before the scheduled date of the examination.

Rulemaking Authority 491.015 FS. Law Implemented 491.0145, 455.217(1)(d), 491.009 FS. History–New 12-10-90, Amended 7-30-91, Formerly 21-28.012, 61-28.012, 59FF-28.012, Amended                            .

 

64B25-28.014 Renewal of Active Certification.

(1) The Department shall renew a certification upon receipt of the biennial certification fee, as established by Rule 64B25-28.007, Florida Administrative Code, and a signed statement signed by the licensee certifying that the licensee has satisfactorily completed all requirements for renewal have been satisfied. Each biennial renewal period shall begin April February 1 of each odd-numbered year.

(2) A certified master social worker shall not be required to complete continuing education for the first renewal of certification. For each subsequent renewal, a certified master social worker licensee must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education credit as set forth in Rule 64B4-6.001 during the two year period ending on March January 31 prior to the beginning of each biennial renewal period.

Rulemaking Authority 491.007(2) FS. Law Implemented 491.007(2) FS. History–New 12-10-90, Formerly 21-28.014, 61-28.014, 59FF-28.014, Amended.

 

64B25-28.015 Examination for Certification.

(1) An applicant for examination for certification must apply to the Department and submit supporting documentation necessary to determine eligibility no later than 60 days prior to the examination date. The application fee and the examination fee must accompany the application.

(2) An applicant who has completed all requirements for the examination and has been certified eligible by the Department will be admitted to the examination for certification.

(3) In order to be eligible for certification, the candidate must receive a passing score on the Advanced General written theory examination. The written theory examination for certified social work administered by the Department shall be the Intermediate Level examination developed by the American Association of State Social Work Boards (AASSWB). This is an objective multiple choice examination. The minimum passing score is the recommended cut-off score provided by the national vendor established according to a generally accepted standard-setting method. Candidates’ raw scores are converted to a scaled-score ranging from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100. The scale is constructed in such a manner that the passing score is set at 75.

(4) The content areas of the written theory examination shall include:

(a) Human development and behavior (16%).

(b) Effects of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender (2%).

(c) Assessment and diagnosis in social work practice (20%).

(d) Social work practice with individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities (32%).

(e) Interpersonal communication (3%).

(f) Professional social worker/client relationship (4%).

(g) Professional values and ethics (4%).

(h) Supervision in social work (6%).

(i) Practice evaluation and the utilization of research (3%).

(j) Policies and procedures governing service delivery (3%).

(k) Social work administration (7%).

(5)(a) All candidates for certification, whether by examination or by endorsement, are required to pass the laws and rules examination developed by the Department, an objective multiple choice examination containing 30 questions which test knowledge of Florida Statutes and rules which have been determined relevant to the practice of persons licensed or certified under Chapter 491, Florida Statutes. All items shall be weighted equally in scoring the examination. A raw score of 24 correct answers (80%) shall be necessary in order to pass this examination.

(b) The content of the laws and rules examination shall include:

NO. OF

SUBJECTQUESTIONS

Chapter 90.503, F.S.1

(Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege)

Chapter 394, F.S.3

(Florida Mental Health Act)

Chapter 396, F.S.3

(Alcoholism)

Chapter 397, F.S.3

(Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Dependents)

Chapter 415, F.S.3

(Protection from Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation)

Chapter 456, F.S.1

(Hypnosis)

Chapter 490, F.S.2

(Psychological Services)

Chapter 491, F.S.5

(Clinical, Counseling and Psychotherapy Services)

Chapter 59P, F.S. and Rule 64B25-28, F.A.C.9

(Rules of the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and

Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling and of the

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

regarding Certified Master Social Work)

Rulemaking Authority 491.015 FS. Law Implemented 491.0145(5) FS. History–New 4-29-91, Amended 7-30-91, 10-1-91, Formerly 21-28.021, 61-28.015, 59FF-28.015, Amended___________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Sue Foster

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS, Surgeon General and Secretary

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: 9/8/15

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: 7/22/15