Section 10.1. Endorsement of out-of-State licenses.
(a) Clinical social work license.--The board may issue a clinical social work license without examination to an applicant holding a clinical social work license in another state who submits proof satisfactory to the board of all of the following:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113 (relating to consideration of criminal convictions). ((1) amended Mar. 28, 2024, P.L.11, No.4)
(2) The applicant holds a master's degree in social work or social welfare or a doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work as recognized by the board and has passed a clinical social work examination acceptable to the board.
(3) The applicant holds a clinical social work license that is in good standing from another state.
(4) The applicant has completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience acceptable to the board.
(5) The applicant has submitted an application accompanied by the application fee.
(6) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of the applicant's clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violation; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term "convicted" includes a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(b) Marriage and family therapist license.--The board may issue a marriage and family therapist license without examination to an applicant holding a marriage and family therapist license in another state who submits proof satisfactory to the board of all of the following:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113. ((1) amended Mar. 28, 2024, P.L.11, No.4)
(2) The applicant meets the educational requirements as specified in section 7(e)(2).
(3) The applicant has completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience acceptable to the board.
(4) The applicant holds a marriage and family therapy license that is in good standing from another state.
(5) The applicant has, at a minimum, been actively engaged in the practice of marriage and family therapy for five of the last seven years immediately preceding the filing of the application for licensure by endorsement with the board.
(6) The applicant has submitted an application accompanied by the application fee.
(7) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of the applicant's clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violation; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term "convicted" shall include a judgment, admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(c) Professional counselor license.--The board may issue a professional counselor license without examination to an applicant holding a professional counselor license in another state who submits proof satisfactory to the board of all of the following:
(1) The applicant is of good moral character. In assessing the moral character of an applicant with a criminal conviction, the board shall conduct an individualized assessment in accordance with 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113. ((1) amended Mar. 28, 2024, P.L.11, No.4)
(2) The applicant meets the educational requirements as specified in section 7(f)(2).
(3) The applicant has completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience acceptable to the board.
(4) The applicant holds a professional counselor license that is in good standing from another state.
(5) The applicant has, at a minimum, been actively engaged in the practice of professional counselor work for five of the last seven years immediately preceding the filing of the application for licensure by endorsement with the board.
(6) The applicant has submitted an application accompanied by the application fee.
(7) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless:
(i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
(ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of the applicant's clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
(iii) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.
As used in this paragraph, the term "convicted" shall include a judgment, admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere.
(10.1 added July 9, 2008, P.L.929, No.68)
Compiler's Note: Section 8 of Act 4 of 2024 provided that the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors shall promulgate regulations as necessary to implement Act 4 no later than 90 days from the effective date of section 8.
Compiler's Note: Section 4 of Act 68 of 2008, which added section 10.1, provided that the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors and the Department of Health shall promulgate regulations to implement the amendment or addition of sections 3, 10.1 and 20(a.1) within three years of the effective date of Act 68.