Or. Admin. Code § 584-245-0320

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024

Section 584-245-0320 - Professional School Social Worker License

(1) Purpose: The Professional School Social Worker License qualifies its holder to provide counseling support services in in prekindergarten through grade 12 Oregon public school districts, education service districts, and charter schools. The Professional School Social Worker License signifies that the educator is an experienced professional who has successfully demonstrated an advanced level of student support knowledge, skills, and dispositions.

(2) Term of Licensure: The Professional School Social Worker License is issued for five years and is renewable repeatedly as provided in section (7) of this rule. The date of the first expiration of the license is five years from the date of issue plus time until the applicant's birthday.

(3) Assignments: The Professional School Social Worker License is valid for:

(a) School social work at all age or grade levels; and

(b) Substitute counseling at any level.

(4) Advanced Professional Education Programs: Pursuant to ORS 342.138, the Commission has approved the following advanced professional education programs to develop advanced level competencies required for promotion to the Professional School Social Worker License:

(a) Advanced Degree Programs: Admission to and completion of an educational specialist or doctoral degree program that is reasonably related to improving the social work skills of the educator. The program must be a nationally accredited program graduate degree in social work from a nationally accredited program approved by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at an Approved Institution or foreign equivalent.

(b) National Certification: National Association of Social Worker [TW1] (NASW) credential.

(c) Other advanced degrees, coursework, or assessments which demonstrate competency in the standards and responsibilities of the Professional School Social Worker License approved by the Executive Director or the Director of Licensure as provided in OAR 584-200-0100, Waiver of Licensure Requirements by the Commission.

(5) Licensed Experience: To qualify for the Professional School Social Worker License, an applicant must sufficient qualifying licensed experience:

(a) Sufficient Experience: Sufficient experience consists of:

(A) Three (3) full years of qualifying licensed experience in a 1.0 FTE assignment; or

(B) Six (6) full years of qualifying licensed experience in a .50 - .99 FTE or more assignment.

(C) The years of licensed school experience do not have to be earned consecutively.

(b) Qualifying Experience: To qualify as a year of licensed experience, the experience must:

(A) Include working directly with preK-12 students while holding any license, charter school registration or school nurse certificate appropriate for the assignment;

(B) Equal a minimum of 135 days within an academic year (July 1 to June 30); and

(C) Be completed in one, or a combination of, the following employment settings:

(i) A public prekindergarten through grade 12 school, including public charter schools;

(ii) A regionally accredited private school in any state or other U.S. jurisdiction; or

(ii) An education service district school;

(iv) A state-operated or state-supported school;

(v) A federal school;

(vi) A private elementary or secondary school registered by the state Department of Education;

(vii) A private proprietary career school licensed by the superintendent of public instruction; or

(viii) Alternative education, post-secondary or other similar settings closely-related to prekindergarten through grade 12 education, as approved by the Director of Licensure.

NOTE: Experience while holding licenses issued by professional licensing boards other than TSPC may be considered as qualifying experience if all requirements are met in sections of this rule.

(6) Applying for License: To be eligible to apply for a Professional School Social Worker License, an applicant must:

(a) Possess the personal qualifications for licensure, including:

(A) Attainment of at least eighteen years of age;

(B) Good moral character; and

(C) The mental and physical health necessary for employment as a School Social Worker.

(b) Meet or complete all requirements of the School Social Worker license issued previously by the Commission or issued by another National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) jurisdiction;

(c) Demonstrate advanced competencies as provided in section (4) of this rule;

(d) Complete the experience requirements as provided in section (5) of this rule;

(e) Complete a background clearance that includes:

(A) Furnishing fingerprints, as required by ORS 342.223;

(B) Providing satisfactory responses to character questions in the form and manner prescribed by the Commission; and

(f) Submit a complete and correct application in the form and manner required by the Commission, including payment of all required fees as provided in OAR 584-200-0050.

(7) Renewing: To be eligible to apply for renewal of the Professional School Counselor License, the applicant must:

(a) Complete professional development requirements in accordance with OAR 584-255-0010; and

(b) Submit a complete and correct renewal application in the form and manner required by the Commission and the payment of all required fees, as provided in OAR 584-200-0050.

(8) Persons holding a Professional School Social Worker License may not:

(a) Substitute as a School Counselor for a period greater than three consecutive months without obtaining the School Counselor License;

(b) Substitute as a School Psychologist; or

(c) Accept any full or part-time position as a School Counselor or as a School Psychologist; or

(d) Go by the title of School Counselor or School Psychologist.

Or. Admin. Code § 584-245-0320

TSPC 18-2021, adopt filed 11/15/2021, effective 1/3/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 342.165

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 342.125, ORS 342.136, ORS 342.138, ORS 342.165