Alabama § 34-30-3 - Private Independent Practice of Social Work.

§ 34-30-3. Private Independent Practice of Social Work.

(a) No individual may engage in the independent clinical practice of social work unless he or she satisfies all of the following:

(1) Is licensed under this chapter as an independent clinical social worker.

(2) Has a doctorate or master’s degree from a school of social work approved, accredited, or in candidacy granted by the Council on Social Work Education.

(3) Has had two years’ full-time or three years’ part-time postgraduate experience under appropriate supervision in the specified social work method or four years’ full-time or five years’ part-time postgraduate experience under appropriate supervision in the speciality in which the applicant will practice.

(4) Has passed an examination prepared by the board for this purpose; except, that prior to the time that an examination is prepared by the board for this purpose, no individual who otherwise meets the requirements of this section will be prohibited from engaging in the private independent practice of social work.

(5) Has been issued by mail a certified letter of certification stating his or her qualification for private independent practice by the board.

(6) Has paid an initial certification fee set by the board.

(b) The scope of practice of a licensed independent clinical social worker includes the authority to diagnose and develop treatment plans. The scope of practice does not include the diagnosis, treatment, or provision of advice to a client for problems or complaints relating to conditions outside the boundaries of the practice of social work.

(c) For the purposes of this section, the terms “diagnose” and “treatment,” whether considered in isolation or in conjunction with the rules of the board, may not be construed to permit the performance of any act that a licensed clinical social worker is not educated or trained to perform including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(1) Administering and interpreting psychological tests or intellectual, neuropsychological, personality, or projective instruments.

(2) Admitting any individual to a hospital for treatment of any condition that is outside the boundaries of the practice of social work, as provided in subsection (b).

(3) Treating any individual in a hospital setting without medical supervision.

(4) Prescribing medicinal drugs.

(5) Authorizing clinical laboratory procedures or radiological procedures.

(6) Using electroconvulsive therapy.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a requirement that any health benefit plan, group insurance plan, policy, or contract for health care services that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, medical service organizations, physician-hospital organizations, or any other individual, firm, corporation, joint venture, or other similar business entity that pays for, purchases, or furnishes group health care services to patients, insureds, or beneficiaries in this state, including entities created pursuant to Article 6, commencing with Section 10A-20-6.01 of Chapter 20, Title 10A, provide coverage or reimbursement for the services described or authorized in this section.