Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 5, February 29, 2024
(1)
This rule defines continuing education, continuing education unit (CEU),
contact hour, the types of activities which are acceptable for fulfillment of
requirements, the documentation required, and the amount of continuing
education required for a renewal period for each category of licensure. This
rule shall be published by the Board and made available to licensed social
workers.
(2) Continuing Education
means education which fosters the enhancement of general or specialized social
work practice, values, skills or knowledge.
(3) CEUs are defined on the basis of ten
contact hours per CEU and may be earned in whole or a fraction thereof. Contact
hour means one clock hour of organized learning experience. One clock hour
means a sixty minute clock hour of instruction, not including coffee breaks or
lunch.
(4) The contact hour
requirements for each category of licensure are as follows:
(a) A licensed bachelor social worker must
submit proof of thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education, of which 10
hours must be a live classroom event and 3 hours must be in ethics.
(b) A licensed master social worker must
submit proof of thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education, of which 10
hours must be a live classroom event and 3 hours must be in ethics. A licensed
master social worker with a clinical designation must also have 3 hours in
clinical.
(c) A licensed
independent clinical social worker must submit proof of thirty (30) contact
hours of continuing education, of which 10 hours must be a live classroom
event, 3 hours in ethics and 6 hours in clinical, 3 of which must be a
comprehensive review of the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual. Proof of this must be mailed or electronically mailed to the Board at
the time of renewal.
(d) A licensee
providing supervision under an approved contract for supervision is required to
obtain three (3) contact hours in supervision.
(e) It is recommended that all licensees and
applicants complete the mandatory Child Abuse and Neglect Report training. This
is a one-time recommendation.
(5) The following types of continuing
education activities are acceptable for fulfillment of continuing education
requirements:
(a) Regionally accredited
university or college academic courses in social work or related social work
disciplines. One undergraduate academic semester hour successfully completed
shall be equivalent to ten contact hours per semester hour. One graduate
academic semester hour successfully completed shall be equivalent to fifteen
contact hours per semester hour. Five contact hours may be received for
auditing an academic course from a related discipline.
(b) Continuing education programs sponsored
by university or college social work programs.
(c) Board approved workshops, institutes or
conferences sponsored by official national, regional, or state social work or
social welfare related organizations. Sponsoring organizations are responsible
for obtaining approval for contact hour credit prior to conducting the
activity. A list of annual conferences and/or sponsoring organizations will be
made available to licensed social workers upon request.
(d) Board approved public or private agency
staff development programs that contribute to the enhancement of social work
practice, skills or knowledge. Agencies are to submit quarterly projections of
programs to the Board which could include outlines of specific programs and
vitae of presenters. To update files, agencies may provide to the Board
brochures and other literature on completed programs.
(e) Workshops or presentations not under the
auspices of any organized agency. This section refers to activities planned by
individuals working independently. Contact hours will be approved from the
information submitted prior to the activity.
(f) Publication of a professional social work
paper. The initial publication shall be acceptable for twenty contact hours.
Presentation of a professional social work paper for the first time at a Board
approved professional conference shall be acceptable for fifteen contact hours.
Participating as a panel member for a Board approved workshop or conference
shall be acceptable for two times the approved contact hours for the session.
Facilitating, moderating, or leading a Board approved workshop or conference
shall be acceptable for the approved contact hours for the session.
(g) Self-directed learning project (maximum
twenty contact hours). Projects intended to increase knowledge shall be
documented by means of a paper, annotated bibliography, etc. Projects intended
to increase skill development by means of audio or audio-visual tapes shall be
documented. Credit for self-directed learning projects may be granted provided
the project is completed and approved prior to the current license expiration.
Projects not completed and approved by the license expiration date can be
considered for the licensee's next renewal period. The Board recommends that
self-directed learning project proposals be submitted at least nine months
prior to the expiration date of licensure to provide sufficient time for
review, project completion, and approval. Reading a book, preparing a paper in
a graduate course, or case consultation shall not meet the requirements for
this activity.
(6)
Documentation means dated evidence of participation in continuing education
activities. Evidence such as receipts of registration, copy of publication or
program listing the presentation is considered documentation. Continuing
education documentation must be submitted on a form provided by the Board and
accompanied by the licensee's application for renewal.
(7) The Board may request verification of
credits submitted, including information regarding content, certification, and
attendance. It is the responsibility of the licensee to obtain records to
substantiate credits. Failure to substantiate credits submitted or to submit
documentation of sufficient continuing education credits may result in refusal
by the Board to renew a license.
Author: Alabama Board of Social Work
Examiners
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §
34-30-57(5).
