THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:	Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee
FROM:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
SUBJECT:	Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Certification and Scope of Practice Requirements for School Social Workers
DATE:	April 22, 2005
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goal 3
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

Executive Summary

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

         

          The issue for decision is a proposed amendment to section 80-2.3(f) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, attached.   Supporting materials for the proposed amendment are available upon request from the Secretary to the Board of Regents.

 

Proposed Handling

 

          The proposed amendment is being submitted for approval at the May 2005 meeting of the Board of Regents.

 

Procedural History

 

          The proposed amendment was discussed at the March 2005 meeting of the Board of Regents.  A Notice of Proposed Rule Making concerning the proposed amendment was published in the State Register on March 2, 2005.  

 

 

 

Background Information

 

The amendment updates references to the titles of the new licensed professions in social work in the requirements for permanent certification in school social work and clarifies the scope of practice of certified school social workers in light of the new practice protected licensed professions in social work.

 

Recommendation

 

          I recommend that the Board of Regents take the following action:

 

VOTED: That subdivision (f) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective June 9, 2005.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

          The effective date of the proposed amendment is June 9, 2005.

 

 

 

 

Attachment

AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

          Pursuant to sections 207, 305, 3001, 3004, 3006, 3009, 3010, 7702, and 7706 of the Education Law.

          Subdivision (f) of section 80-2.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective June 9, 2005, as follows:

          (f) School social worker. 

(1)  .  .  .

          (2) Permanent certificate.  The candidate shall have completed two years of school experience in the field of pupil personnel services, hold the degree of master of social work or an equivalent degree as determined by the department, and be licensed and registered [as a certified social worker] by the department as a licensed master social worker or a licensed clinical social worker.

          (3) Scope of practice.  The provisional or permanent certificate in school social work shall authorize the holder of the certificate to practice licensed master social work, as defined in sections 7701(1) and 7702 of the Education Law, in public schools of New York State or any other school for which the law requires certification as a school social worker pursuant to Part 80 of this Title.   For such individual to practice licensed clinical social work, as defined in section 7701(2) of the Education Law, in the public schools or any other location in New York State, the individual must be licensed and registered by the department as a licensed clinical social worker when performing such services, unless such individual is exempt from licensure in licensed clinical social work pursuant to section 7706 or other provision of Article 154 of the Education Law.