Arizona Social Work CE Requirement Statutes

This information below has been obtained directly from the Arizona Board of Social Work Website and is current as of November 2024. Please visit here for full information and details.

Arizona Social Work Laws & Rules

CHAPTER 850-X-8 CONTINUING EDUCATION 850-X-8-. 01 Continuing Education.

ARTICLE 8. LICENSE RENEWAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION R4-6-801. Renewal of Licensure 

A. Under A.R.S. § 32-3273, a license issued by the Board under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 33 and this Chapter is renewable every two years. A licensee who has more than one license may request in writing that the Board synchronize the expiration dates of the licenses. The licensee shall pay any prorated fees required to accomplish the synchronization. 

B. A licensee holding an active license to practice behavioral health in this state shall complete 30 clock hours of continuing education as prescribed under R4-6-802 between the date the Board received the licensee’s last renewal application and the next license expiration date. A licensee may not carry excess continuing education hours from one license period to the next. 

C. To renew licensure, a licensee shall submit the following to the Board on or before the date of license expiration or as specified in A.R.S. § 32-4301: 1. 

A renewal application form, approved by the Board. The licensee shall ensure that the renewal form: 

a. Includes a list of 30 clock hours of continuing education that the licensee completed during the license period; 

b. If the documentation previously submitted under R4-6-301(12) was a limited form of work authorization issued by the federal government, includes evidence that the work authorization has not expired; and 

c. Is signed by the licensee attesting that all information submitted is true and correct; 2. Payment of the renewal fee as prescribed in R4-6-215; and 3. Other documents requested by the Board to determine that the licensee continues to meet the requirements under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 33 and this Chapter. 

D. The Board may audit a licensee to verify compliance with the continuing education requirements under subsection (B). A licensee shall maintain documentation verifying compliance with the continuing education requirements as prescribed under R4-6-803. E. A licensee whose license expires may have the license reinstated by complying with subsection (C) and paying a late renewal penalty within 90 days of the license expiration date. A license reinstated under this subsection is effective with no lapse in licensure. 

Historical Note New Section made by exempt rulemaking at 10 A.A.R. 2700, effective July 1, 2004 (Supp. 04-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 2713, effective June 27, 2005 (Supp. 05-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 14 A.A.R. 4516, effective December 2, 2008 (Supp. 08-4). Amended by final exempt rulemaking pursuant to Laws 2015, Chapter 154, § 10, at 21 A.A.R. 2630, effective November 1, 2015 (Supp. 15-4). R4-6-802. 

Continuing Education 

A. A licensee who maintains more than one license may apply the same continuing education hours for renewal of each license if the content of the continuing education relates to the scope of practice of each license. B. 

For each license period, a licensee may report a maximum of: 

1. Ten clock hours of continuing education for first-time presentations by the licensee that deal with current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of behavioral health. The licensee may claim one clock hour for each hour spent preparing, writing, and presenting information; 

2. Six clock hours of continuing education for attendance at a Board meeting where the licensee is not: a. A member of the Board, b. The subject of any matter on the agenda, or c. The complainant in any matter that is on the agenda; and 

3. Ten clock hours of continuing education for service as a Board or ARC member. 

C. For each license period, a licensee shall report: 

1. A minimum of three clock hours of continuing education sponsored, approved, or offered by an entity listed in subsection (D) in: 

a. Behavioral health ethics or mental health law, and 

b. Cultural competency and diversity; and 

c. Completion of the three clock hour Arizona Statutes/Regulations Tutorial. 

D. A licensee shall participate in continuing education that relates to the scope of practice of the license held and to maintaining or improving the skill and competency of the licensee. The Board has determined that in addition to the continuing education listed in subsections (B) and (C), the following continuing education meets this standard: 

1. Activities sponsored or approved by national, regional, or state professional associations or organizations in the specialties of marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, social work, substance abuse counseling, or in the allied professions of psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, psychology, or pastoral counseling; 

2. Programs in behavioral health sponsored or approved by a regionally accredited college or university; 

3. In-service training, courses, or workshops in behavioral health sponsored by federal, state, or local social service agencies, public school systems, or licensed health facilities or hospitals; 

4. Graduate or undergraduate courses in behavioral health offered by a regionally accredited college or university. One semester-credit hour or the hour equivalent of one semester hour equals 15 clock hours of continuing education; 

5. Publishing a paper, report, or book that deals with current developments, skills, procedures, or treatments related to the practice of behavioral health. For the license period in which publication occurs, the licensee may claim one clock hour for each hour spent preparing and writing materials; and 

6. Programs in behavioral health sponsored by a state superior court, adult probation department, or juvenile probation department.