PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON TWO RULE REVISIONS AFFECTING SOCIAL WORK
The proposed changes were required as a result of HB 2024 which required certain Chapter 30 Boards prepare an emergency rule for the
regulation of telehealth and a registration process for the provision of interstate telehealth services.
COVID 19 has resulted in the unanticipated expansion of telehealth services. The Board of Social Work added section 25-1-5 Telehealth Services which provides guidance for all social workers practicing telehealth to do so in a safe and
competent manner. It specifies that all persons providing social work services to a person residing and located in WV shall be licensed and registered in this state; that services may only be provided commensurate with the scope of practice of an individual’s
level of licensure; limits the provision of clinical work services provided outside the state to a practitioner licensed at the clinical level; sets an expectation that the social worker be competent in the technology and skills for telehealth; requires the
social worker to make provisions for ensuring: confidentiality is safeguarded , safety protocols and emergency services are in place, informed consent is obtained {at which time the client-practitioner relationship is established). It is incumbent on the social
worker to assure that the client is appropriate for telehealth, and his/her mental and emotional status should be taken into consideration when determining the appropriateness for this service
25-1-3 Adds the definitions of Interstate Telehealth Services (2.7), Registration (2.8) and Telehealth Services (2.9)
25-1-6 defines the Registration process for interstate telehealth providers with a license in good standing in other states and which follows the requirements of HB 2024. It requires a registration prior to the provision of services, sets
the standard of care and requires the individual to comply with the rules of the Board and report any disciplinary sanction or restrictions to his/her license in any state. A renewal process is also included in the rule
5.3 Cleans up a reference to the Code of Ethics in a prior revision in 25CSR7. Old language stricken last year as a result of SB 312 is deleted, specifically 3.3.1 and 3.1.1 and b and 3.2.5.a.2, as this license no longer exists
A summary of the changes and the rules are available on the Secretary of State's web page at
http://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/ruleview.aspx?document=17553
The Board, in accordance with the provisions of HB 2024 has filed an emergency rule which means that the above noted provisions can take effect prior to the legislative rule making process. Nonetheless, the Board invites and will accept
comments on the proposed rule revisions until July 30, 2021 at 12:00 pm. Comments may be emailed to
[log in to unmask] or mailed to PO Box 5459, Charleston, WV 25361.
2) The WV Board of Social Work has proposed revisions to Legislative Rules:
25CSR5 Continuing Education for Social Workers and Providers.
The Board added definitions for synchronous and asynchronous training, which clarify that face to face (instructor led) hours any be in seat/in person or in a virtual format such as Zoom. This offers another less costly option to licensees
in meeting their training requirements while still upholding the values of the Board in ensuring social workers have opportunities to discuss and interact with instructors, peers and new ideas. The rule specifies that no more than 10 hours may be earned through
asynchronous learning modalities online
The Board further proposes to reduce the number of required continuing education hours from 40 to 30, which is consistent with the requirements of social work boards in states contiguous to WV. The list of approved providers was expanded
and any previous distinctions between those providers approved for in person and on-line training was eliminated.
A summary of the changes and the rules are available on the Secretary of State’s web page at:
http://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/ruleview.aspx?document=17554
The Board invites and will accept comments on the proposed rule revisions until July 30, 2021 at 12:00 pm. Comments may be emailed to
[log in to unmask] or mailed to PO Box 5459, Charleston, WV 25361.
Vickie James, ACSW, LCSW
Executive Director
WV Board of Social Work
Mailing Address: PO Box 5459
Charleston, WV 25361
Physical Address: 1124 Smith St. Suite B 200
Charleston, WV 25361
Phone: 304-400-4980
Fax: 304-400-4976