TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 63 SOCIAL WORKERS

PART 12 CONTINUING EDUCATION

16.63.12.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Social Work Examiners P.O. Box 25101, Santa Fe, NM 87504.

[9/8/96; 16.63.12.1 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.1, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.2 SCOPE: All baccalaureate social workers, master social workers, and independent social workers.

[9/8/96; 16.63.12.2 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.2, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: These parts are promulgated pursuant to the Social Work Practice Act, Section 61-31-8A, 14-2-1, 61-31-19 NMSA 1978.

[9/8/96; 16.63.12.3 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.3, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.4 DURATION: Permanent

[9/8/96; 16.63.12.4 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.4, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: June 22, 1992, unless a different date is cited at the end of a section.

[9/8/96; 16.63.12.5 NMAC - Rn & A, 16 NMAC 63.12.5, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.6 OBJECTIVE: To inform licensees of continuing education hours required for license renewal, and the reporting process.

[9/8/96; 16.63.12.6 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.6, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.7 DEFINITIONS: [Reserved]

16.63.12.8 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Continuation of education is required for social workers to be re-licensed at any level. Continuing education is required by the New Mexico board of social work examiners to ensure that social workers in New Mexico are providing the highest quality professional services.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 16.63.12.8 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.8, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.9 CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT: Thirty (30) hours of continuing education will be required biennially. Six (6) of the thirty (30) hours must be in the subject area of cultural awareness. Proof of participation in or presentation of continuing education activity must be submitted with the license renewal request if the licensee is audited. All continuing education hours must be earned during the current two (2) year renewal period of July 1 thru June 30.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 5/1/99; 16.63.12.9 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.9, 06/19/02; A, 04/24/06; A, 11/30/06; A, 01/17/08]

16.63.12.10 CONTINUING EDUCATION PARTICIPATION/FORMAL SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION: A three (3) hour college level course in social work or courses which are designed to enhance the skills relevant to the social worker's professional activity will be accepted as equivalent to thirty (30) hours. The social worker shall submit transcripts directly to the board with renewal.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 5/1/99; 16.63.12.10 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.10, 06/19/02; A, 01/17/08]

16.63.12.11 CONTINUING EDUCATION AGENTS: The board may identify and authorize any continuing education agents. The agents will report directly to the board concerning continuing education activity.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 16.63.12.11 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.11, 06/19/02]

16.63.12.12 CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT CARRYOVER: All continuing education hours must be earned during the current two (2) year renewal period of July 1 thru June 30; no carryover will be permitted.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 5/1/99; 16.63.12.12 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.12, 06/19/02; A, 04/24/06; A, 01/17/08]

16.63.12.13 DOCUMENTATION OF PARTICIPATION: The board shall audit a percentage of renewal applications each renewal period to verify the continuing education requirement. The licensee must maintain proof of continuing education courses taken for the past four (4) years.

A. If a notice of audit letter is received with the renewal form, evidence of continuing education hours earned during the renewal period must be submitted to the board as requested and as required in the Social Work Practice Act and by this rule.

B. If the licensee is not audited, all documentation of attendance and agendas must be retained by the licensee for a minimum of four (4) years immediately preceding the current renewal.

C. The board reserves the right to audit a licensee’s continuing education records as it deems necessary.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 16.63.12.13 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.13, 06/19/02; A, 04/24/06; A, 11/30/06; A, 01/17/08]

16.63.12.14 CONTINUING EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DISCRETION: The social worker may choose up to ten (10) hours per renewal period which is self-directed. The social worker may select education programs, readings and audio or video-taped materials which are in the domain of social work. Preparation time, not to exceed the length of the presentation and time accumulated in presenting a social work seminar or workshop is included in this section. Documentation of discretionary continuing education hours will be in accordance with guidelines established by the board of social work examiners. Activities which include personal scope such as sports, hobbies, etc. are not acceptable for credit nor is personal therapy. The social worker seeking re-licensure shall report continuing education hours directly to the board upon application for license renewal. Approval of credit under this section is within the board's discretion.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 5/1/99; 16.63.12.14 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.14, 06/19/02; A, 01/17/08]

16.63.12.15 FAILURE TO MEET CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Failure to meet continuing education requirements will cause the board to refuse to renew the social work license in accordance with the Uniform Licensing Act.

[5/15/91, 6/22/92, 5/1/99; 16.63.12.15 NMAC - Rn, 16 NMAC 63.12.15, 06/19/02]

HISTORY OF 16.63.12 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the Commission of Public Records-State Records Center and Archives:

Rule 12, Continuing Education, 4/15/91.

Rule 12 Continuing Education, 5/22/92.

History of Repealed Material: [RESERVED]