Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
Board
Board of Social Work
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work [18 VAC 140 ‑ 20]
Guidance Documents
Chapter Information
Description Establishes qualification for licensure, sets a schedule and fee for renewal and establishes the standard of practice for licensure of social workers.
State Authority Chapter 37 of Title 54.1
Federal Authority None entered
Text of Regulation Link to Virginia Administrative Code
Goals of Regulation 1) Complete continuing competency requirements that are reasonable but effective in assuring the public that practitioners are remaining current in professional knowledge and ethical issues.
2) Complete study of whether the non-clinical category of licensure is essential to protect the public.
Meetings See all meetings (17) relating to this chapter.

Contact Information
Name / Title: Jaime Hoyle  / Executive Director
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23233-1463
Email Address: jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)367-4406    FAX: (804)527-4435    TDD: ()-
Current Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Implementation of the Social Work Compact NOIRA Secretary of Health and Human Resources review in progress.
2022 Periodic Review changes to section 37 NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 07/17/2024.
Acceptance of APA approved trainings as CE providers NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 07/17/2024.
Amendments resulting from 2022 periodic review Proposed Secretary of Health and Human Resources review in progress.

Past Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Exempt action to allow change of supervisors without notification to the Board under certain circumstances
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/27/2023.
Exempt regulatory action to allow agency subordinates to hear credentials cases
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/08/2023.
Reduction in CE hours for continuation of approval to be a supervisor Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/17/2024.
Changes to endorsement and reinstatement; standards of practice Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/26/2022.
Acceptance of state examinations Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/27/2022.
Unprofessional conduct/practice of conversion therapy Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/16/2021.
Changes to supervision requirements Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/18/2021.
Correction to qualification for LBSW licensure Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/15/2020.
Reduction in fees and elimination of supervised experience requirement for LBSW Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/05/2020.
Change in returned check fee Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/06/2020.
Hours of ethics for continuing education Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/13/2019.
Reduction in CE requirement for supervisors Fast-Track Stage withdrawn on 07/22/2019 during the public comment period.
BSW and LSW licensure Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/08/2019.
Examination requirements Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/20/2018.
Definition of clinical social work services and supervision of applicant for reinstatement/reactivatn Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/07/2018.
Regulatory review changes Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/28/2017.
CE credit for volunteer practice Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/09/2017.
Licensure requirements Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/12/2016.
Fee increase and renewal cycle Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/30/2015.
Clinical course of study requirements
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/25/2013.
Regulatory reform Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/26/2013.
Licensure requirements Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/31/2013.
Clinical course of study Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/02/2011.
Clarification of supervision and continuing education Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/07/2010.
Change of addresses
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/01/2009.
Requirements for examination, supervision & practice standards Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/26/2008.
Experience and examination requirements Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/04/2008.
Continuing education for licensed social workers Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/24/2008.
Change in fee for returned check
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/08/2006.
Delegation of certain fact-finding proceedings to an agency subordinate Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/27/2005.
Periodic review Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/28/2004.
Fee reduction
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 04/23/2003.
Continuing education requirements for licensure renewal Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 04/25/2001.

Withdrawn Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Regulatory reduction 2022 Fast-Track Stage withdrawn on 12/09/2022 before DPB completed its review.
Amendments to standards of practice NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 04/07/2006 after the comment period had ended.
Examination requirement NOIRA Stage withdrawn on 04/07/2006 after the comment period had ended.

Periodic Reviews
Last Activity Status
6/3/2022 Agency Completed Amend
7/26/2021 Filed Pending
10/16/2012 Agency Completed Amend
9/1/2001 Agency Completed Amend