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Committee approves allowing MSW students to sit for licensure exam before graduation
Summary
The Senate committee passed SB 485 unanimously to let social work master's students take licensure exams in their final semester, matching existing allowances for counselors and marriage and family therapists to speed graduates into the mental-health workforce.
The Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee unanimously advanced Senate Bill 485, which would allow students enrolled in the Council on Social Work Education-accredited master of social work programs to sit for their licensing examination during their final semester before graduation.
Sponsor (identified in the hearing) said the bill provides parity with other licensed behavioral-health professions — noting professional counselors and marriage-and-family therapists already have that allowance — and framed the change as a way to accelerate entry of mental-health providers into the workforce.
There were no public sign-ups to oppose; Senator Albers moved to pass and the committee approved the bill without recorded opposition. The measure will proceed to the Rules Committee.
