RELATES TO: KRS 161.020, 161.028, 161.030
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 161.020 and 161.030 require that a teacher and other professional school personnel hold a certificate of legal qualifications for the respective position to be issued upon completion of a program of preparation prescribed by the Education Professional Standards Board. KRS 161.028(1)(a) requires the Education Professional Standards Board to establish the standards for obtaining and maintaining a teaching certificate. KRS 161.028(1)(b) requires an educator preparation institution be approved for offering the preparation program corresponding to a particular certificate on the basis of standards and procedures established by the Education Professional Standards Board. KRS 161.028(1)(f) requires the Education Professional Standards Board to issue and renew any certificate. This administrative regulation establishes the professional certificate for school social worker and the requirements for obtaining and maintaining this certificate.
Section 1.(1) The professional certificate for school social worker shall be issued to an applicant who has: (a) Completed a Master's of Social Work (MSW) degree:1. With: a. A cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale; or b. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on the last sixty (60) hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework; and2. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; and(b) Completed an approved program of preparation for school social worker.(2) The initial professional certificate for school social worker shall be issued for a validity period of five (5) years.(3) The professional certificate for school social worker shall be renewed based upon the renewal requirements established in 16 KAR 4:060.(4) To apply for the professional certificate for school social worker, the applicant shall submit a completed Form TC-1 to the Education Professional Standards Board.(5) The professional certificate for school social worker shall be valid for providing school social work services for all grade levels in the public schools or an accredited nonpublic school.Section 2.(1) The approved program of preparation shall be based upon the Standards for School Social Work Services established by the National Association of Social Workers.(2)(a) The program of preparation shall be submitted to the Education Professional Standards Board for approval pursuant to the requirements established in 16 KAR 5:010.(b) The program of preparation shall be submitted through the institutional unit for educator preparation.Section 3. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:(a) Form TC-1, rev. 10/02, Education Professional Standards Board; and(b) National Association of Social Workers Standards for School Social Work Services, June 18, 1992.(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Education Professional Standards Board, 100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.4 Ky.R. 36; eff. 9-7-77; Recodified from 704 KAR 20:194, 7-2-2002; 29 Ky.R. 1857, 2269; eff. 3-19-03; Crt eff. 2-27-2020.STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 161.028, 161.030