Section 1906 - Powers and functions of boardThe board shall have the following powers:
(1) To pass upon the qualifications and fitness of applicants for licenses and reciprocal licenses and to adopt and revise rules and regulations requiring applicants to pass examinations relating to their qualifications as a prerequisite to the issuance of a license.(2) To adopt and, from time to time, revise such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this act. Such regulations may include, but shall not be limited to, standards of professional practice and conduct for licensed bachelor social workers, licensed social workers, licensed clinical social workers, licensed associate marriage and family therapists, licensed marriage and family therapists , licensed associate professional counselors and licensed professional counselors in Pennsylvania.(3) To examine for, deny, approve, issue, revoke, suspend or renew licenses of bachelor social workers, social workers, clinical social workers, associate marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapists, associate professional counselors and professional counselors pursuant to this act and to conduct hearings in connection therewith.(4) To conduct hearings upon complaints concerning violations of the provisions of this act and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act and seek the prosecution and enjoinder of all such violations.(5) To expend moneys necessary to the proper carrying out of its assigned duties.(6) To waive examination and grant a license in cases deemed exceptional by the board and in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board.(7) To submit annually a report to the Professional Licensure Committee of the House of Representatives and the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee of the Senate containing a description of the types of complaints received, status of the cases, board action which has been taken and length of time from the initial complaint to final board resolution.(8) To submit annually to the Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, 15 days after the Governor has submitted his budget to the General Assembly, a copy of the budget request for the upcoming fiscal year which the board previously submitted to the Department of State.Amended by P.L. (number not assigned at time of publication) 2024 No. 4,§ 2, eff. 3/28/2024.Amended by P.L. TBD 2014 No. 179, § 2, eff. 12/21/2014.1987, July 9, P.L. 220, No. 39, § 6, effective in 90 days. Amended 1998, Dec. 21, P.L. 1017, No. 136, § 1, effective in 60 days.Section 8 of the 2024 amending legislation provides that the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors shall promulgate regulations as necessary to implement this act no later than 90 days from the effective date of this section.