Rep. Susan Westrom

The Kentucky House passed legislation requiring social workers be licensed, according to this article in the Lexington Courier-Journal.

The legislation would require social workers hired after July 1 be licensed, the article said. Those already on staff would have three years to become licensed if the bill becomes law.

The legislation comes after the recent deaths of two children under state supervision.

Democrat Rep. Susan Westrom, who introduced the bill, said the proposal would help restore respect for social workers and allow the state to recruit and retain more highly trained professional social workers.

The measure passed by a vote of 74-18.

SocialWorkersSpeak.org contacted National Association of Social Workers Kentucky Chapter Executive Director Jordan Wildermuth, MSW, to find out what he thought about Westrom’s bill and this is what he said via email:

“NASW-Kentucky has been working closely with the Kentucky Social Work Licensing Board and Rep. Susan Westrom to communicate the importance of a social work degree and a standard of professionalism within public child welfare. We are thrilled that the measure has passed the House and that elected officials are taking stock in social workers and investing in the profession.”

Cheers to Rep. Westrom for her work on this issue.

To learn more about licensing requirements by state and contact your local licensing board visit the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) by clicking here. The National Association of Social Workers is not in charge of licensing in states. However, NASW gives social workers the opportunity to enhance their skills by offering social work credentials and advanced practice specialty credentials. To learn more visit the NASW Credentialing Center by clicking here.