STATE OF WISCONSIN
MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY, PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
AND SOCIAL WORK EXAMINING BOARD
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IN THE MATTER OF RULE-MAKING : PROPOSED ORDER OF THE
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE : MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY
MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY, : PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING AND
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING AND : SOCIAL WORK EXAMINING BOARD
SOCIAL WORK EXAMINING BOARD : ADOPTING RULES
: CLEARINGHOUSE RULE 13-117
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ORDER
An order of the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board to repeal chapter MPSW 8 and section MPSW 14.03 and to repeal and recreate chapter MPSW 19, relating to continuing education. Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
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ANALYSIS
Statutes interpreted: s. 457.22, Wis. Stats. Explanation of agency authority:
The examining board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the professional.
The examining board may promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for social workers, advanced practice social workers, independent social workers, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors to complete continuing education programs or courses of study in order to qualify for renewal of their credential.
Related statute or rule: § 457.22, Wis. Stats. Plain language analysis:
This rule combines the three current chapters on continuing education into one chapter which covers social workers, advanced practice social workers, independent social workers, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors.
Sections 1 and 2 delete the social worker and professional counselor continuing education requirements.
Section 3 repeals the marriage and family therapist continuing education requirements and recreates the new chapter which covers all professionals credentialed by Board.
The new chapter begins with definitions for the chapter.
The next section lists the continuing education requirement at 30 hours with at least 4 of those hours in ethics. Social worker ethics would need to be taken in an interactive learning format which is defined. Continuing education is not required during the initial licensure period. Continuing education may not be applied to a different credential period nor may continuing education taken as a result of a disciplinary action be counted.
The next section indicates how continuing education may be earned. Continuing education may be earned through approved program providers; postgraduate courses; in house trainings; presenting or developing professional materials for approved programs; postgraduate educators; authorship of published textbook or article; and authorship of alternative or electronic media or computer software.
The next section delineates the requirements for postponement and waivers for hardships and exemptions due to retirement. If a person retires and then returns to practice, continuing education would need to be completed.
The last section of the chapter provides for a record retention requirement of a minimum of 4 years and that audits may be conducted to determine compliance with the continuing education requirements.
Section 4 is the effective date of the rules which is the first day of the month following publication in the administrative register.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
None
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: In Illinois, each marriage and family therapist, professional counselor and social worker credential holder shall complete 30 hours of continuing education. Continuing education hours may be earned for attending programs, courses, and postgraduate training programs; teaching and presenting programs and courses; and authorship of papers or books. Professional counselors also have 18 credit hours in clinical supervision training as a one time (lifetime) requirement for continuing education. Social workers have a 3 credit hours requirement in ethics every two years.
Iowa: In Iowa, each marriage and family therapist and licensed mental health counselor, shall complete 40 hours of continuing education of which 3 hours shall be in the area of ethics.. Continuing education may be earned by attendance at workshops, conferences and academic courses; presenting professional programs; and scholarly research which is published. Each social work credential holder shall complete 27 hours of continuing education of which 3 hours shall be in the area of ethics. Continuing education may be earned by attendance at sponsored activities and programs; pro-bono or volunteer work; instruction of a program or course; authorship of papers, publications; and preparation of presentations and exhibits before a professional audience. Those credential holders who provide supervision shall complete 3 hours of the required 27 hours in supervision.
