KRS 335.010: Purposes -- Exemptions -- Amnesty period.

(1) It is the purpose and policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to protect the public

from being misled by incompetent and unauthorized persons, and from

unprofessional conduct on the part of qualified social workers by providing

regulatory authority over per sons who hold themselves out to the public as social

workers.

(2) The purpose of KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and KRS 335.990 is to promote high

standards of professional performance for those engaged in the profession of social

work by regulating the title and practice of social work, and by setting standards of

qualification, training, and experience for those who seek to engage in the practice

of social work.

(3) KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and KRS 335.990 shall not be applicable to employees of

the State Departmen t of Education or local boards of education who meet the

certification requirements in the area of social work as established, or which may be

established, by the Kentucky Board of Education. KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and

KRS 335.990 shall not be construed to apply to, limit, or restrict the regulation of

the title, setting of standards, qualifications, training, or experience of those who

seek to engage in the practice of social work and who have been, or will be,

certified by the Kentucky Board of Education for the position for which they have

been employed.

(4) KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and KRS 335.990 shall not require persons employed by

the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the director or administrative head of a social

service agency or division of a city, county, or urban -county government, or

applicants for such employment to be licensed.

(5) (a) KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and KRS 335.990 shall not require persons

employed by an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation

under Section 501(c)(3) of the I nternal Revenue Code, and provides evidence

of its tax-exempt status, to be licensed.

(b) KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and KRS 335.990 shall not be construed to apply to,

limit, or restrict the regulation of the title, setting of standards, qualifications,

training, and experience of those engaged as employees of a tax -exempt

organization in the practice of social work.

(c) The exemption provided in this subsection shall not apply to the practice of

clinical social work, which shall be undertaken only by a certif ied social

worker licensed in accordance with KRS 335.080 or a licensed clinical social

worker licensed in accordance with KRS 335.100.

(6) (a) KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and 335.990 shall not require persons employed by

child-caring facilities and child -placing agencies, as defined in KRS 199.011,

that are contracted with the Commonwealth of Kentucky for foster care

services, or applicants for such employment, to be licensed.

(b) The exemption provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not apply to

the practice of clinical social work, which shall be undertaken only by a

certified social worker licensed in accordance with KRS 335.080 or a licensed

clinical social worker licensed in accordance with KRS 335.100.

(7) KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and 335.990 shall not prohibit volunteer health

practitioners from providing services under KRS 39A.350 to 39A.366.

(8) (a) KRS 335.010 to 335.160 and 335.990 shall not be construed to apply to the

activities and services of a student intern or trainee in social work who is

pursuing a program of studies in social work at an accredited institution of

higher learning if these activities are performed under supervision and

constitute a part of the program of study.

(b) If the student intern or trainee in social work is studying or training in the

practice of clinical social work, the board shall promulgate administrative

regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to define supervision

standards for student involvement in clinical social work to ensure public

safety. Before promulgating administrative regulations under this paragraph,

the board shall consult with a working group of social work professionals and

educators that includes at least one (1) practicum education director.