(a) There is created the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board.

(b) All members of the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board shall be appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate for terms of three (3) years and shall be residents of the state and citizens of the United States.

(c) The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board shall have nine (9) members, with no fewer than two (2) African-American members, and shall be composed of the following:

(1)

(A) Three (3) members who are licensed certified social workers, two (2) members who are licensed master social workers, and one (1) member who is a licensed social worker.

(B)

(i) The professional members shall be appointed from the list of social workers licensed by this chapter and shall have five (5) years of full-time social work practice experience prior to appointment to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board.

(ii) The experience required under subdivision (c)(1)(B)(i) of this section may consist of direct social work practice, teaching, or administration in social work;

(2)

(A) One (1) member who is a psychiatrist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

(B) The member appointed under subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section shall be in good standing with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology;

(3) One (1) member who is a representative of the public at large; and

(4)

(A) One (1) member who is sixty (60) years of age or older, not actively engaged in or retired from professional social work, and shall represent the elderly.

(B) The member appointed under subdivision (c)(4)(A) of this section shall be appointed from the state at large and shall be a full voting member.

(C) The same member may not represent both the public at large and the elderly.

(d)

(1) A member of the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board may be removed from office by the Governor for cause.

(2) In case of death, resignation, or removal, the vacancy of the unexpired term shall be filled by the Governor in the same manner as other appointments.

(3) A member shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

(e)

(1) A member of the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with § 25-16-902.

(2) All reimbursements for expenses authorized by this chapter shall be paid from the Social Work Licensing Fund.

(3) Money shall not be paid from the General Revenue Fund for the administration of this chapter.

(f) In addition to the expense reimbursement under subsection (e) of this section, each member of the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board may receive a stipend in accordance with § 25-16-904.