Section 781.302 - The Practice of Social Work(a) Practice of Baccalaureate Social Work--Applying social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or bio-psychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. Baccalaureate Social Work is generalist practice and may include interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, supportive counseling, direct practice, information and referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation, education, advocacy, community organization, and policy and program development, implementation, and administration. An LBSW may only practice social work in an agency employment setting or under contract with an agency, unless under a non-clinical supervision plan per § 781.402(d)(1) of this title.(b) Practice of Independent Non-Clinical Baccalaureate Social Work--An LBSW recognized for independent practice, known as LBSW-IPR, may provide any non-clinical baccalaureate social work services in either an employment or an independent practice setting. An LBSW-IPR may work under contract, bill directly for services, and bill third parties for reimbursements for services. An LBSW-IPR must restrict his or her independent practice to providing non-clinical social work services.(c) Practice of Master's Social Work--Applying social work theory, knowledge, methods and ethics and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or bio-psychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. Master's Social Work practice may include applying specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, supportive counseling, direct practice, information and referral, supervision, consultation, education, research, advocacy, community organization and developing, implementing and administering policies, programs and activities. An LMSW may engage in Baccalaureate Social Work practice. An LMSW may only practice social work in an agency employment setting or under contract with an agency, unless under a non-clinical supervision plan per § 781.402(d)(1) of this title. An LMSW may practice clinical social work, as defined by subsection (f) of this section, in an agency employment setting or under contract with an agency if under clinical supervision per § 781.404(a)(2) of this title or under a clinical supervision plan per § 781.404(a)(3) of this title.(d) Advanced Non-Clinical Practice of LMSWs--An LMSW recognized as an Advanced Practitioner (LMSW-AP) may provide any non-clinical social work services in either an employment or an independent practice setting. An LMSW-AP may work under contract, bill directly for services, and bill third parties for reimbursements for services. An LMSW-AP must restrict his or her practice to providing non-clinical social work services.(e) Independent Practice for LMSWs--An LMSW recognized for independent practice may provide any non-clinical social work services in either an employment or an independent practice setting. This licensee is designated as LMSW-IPR. An LMSW-IPR may work under contract, bill directly for services, and bill third parties for reimbursements for services. An LMSW-IPR must restrict his or her independent practice to providing non-clinical social work services.(f) Practice of Clinical Social Work--The practice of social work that requires applying social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or bio-psychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, and/or persons who are adversely affected by social or psychosocial stress or health impairment. The practice of clinical social work requires applying specialized clinical knowledge and advanced clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions, including severe mental illness and serious emotional disturbances in adults, adolescents, and children. The clinical social worker may engage in Baccalaureate Social Work practice and Master's Social Work practice. Clinical treatment methods may include but are not limited to providing individual, marital, couple, family, and group therapy, mediation, counseling, supportive counseling, direct practice, and psychotherapy. Clinical social workers are qualified and authorized to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes, and other diagnostic classification systems in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and other practice activities. An LCSW may provide any clinical or non-clinical social work service or supervision in either an employment or independent practice setting. An LCSW may work under contract, bill directly for services, and bill third parties for service reimbursements.(g) A licensee who is not recognized for independent practice and who is not under a non-clinical supervision plan must not engage in any independent practice that falls within the definition of social work practice in § 781.102 of this title (relating to Definitions) unless the person is licensed in another profession and acting solely within the scope of that license. If the person is practicing professionally under another license, the person may not use the titles "licensed master social worker," "licensed social worker," or "licensed baccalaureate social worker," or any other title or initials that imply social work licensure.(h) An LBSW or LMSW who is not recognized for independent practice may bill directly to patients or bill directly to third party payers if the LBSW or LMSW is under a formal supervision plan.22 Tex. Admin. Code § 781.302
The provisions of this §781.302 adopted to be effective January 27, 2011, 36 TexReg 242; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 45, Number 46, November 13, 2020, TexReg 8157, eff. 11/19/2020; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 46, Number 05, January 29, 2021, TexReg 0815, eff. 2/4/2021; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 45, November 8, 2024, TexReg 8913, eff. 11/14/2024