2025 Session Last amended: 2007 session

§ 148E.190 — Grounds for Action

Plain-Language Summary

This section lists the grounds that give the Board of Social Work authority to take action against a social worker. The board can act when a social worker violates state or federal law, board rules, board orders, or when a social worker practices outside their licensed scope or without a required license. The board also has authority over conduct that happened before licensure if it affected the social worker's fitness to practice.

Practical Notes
The board’s authority is broad—it covers violations of any law related to social work, not just social work licensing laws. A social worker can face board action for a crime committed outside of practice if it relates to their fitness to practice. Practicing without a license or outside scope of practice are among the most serious violations. Pre-licensure conduct can also be grounds for denying a license or taking disciplinary action.