Sec. 18506a.

(1) This part does not apply to any of the following:

(a) An individual who is engaged in a course of study leading to a degree in social work and participating in an internship or field placement supervised by a licensed master's social worker.

(b) An individual who is not licensed or otherwise authorized under this part to engage in the practice of social work at the bachelor's or master's level or registered as a social service technician who donates his or her services, other than psychotherapy services, to a charitable nonprofit organization so long as the individual does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a social worker licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized under this part.

(c) An ordained cleric or other religious practitioner if elements of section 18501(f) or (g) are incidental to his or her religious duties performed under the auspices or recognition of a church, denomination, religious association, or sect that has tax-exempt status pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986, if he or she does not hold himself or herself out as a social worker licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized under this part.

(d) A certified, licensed, or otherwise statutorily recognized member of any other profession who practices his or her profession as authorized by law so long as the individual does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a social worker licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized under this part.

(e) An individual who is a participant in a self-help, peer counseling, or support services program provided by either a charitable or labor organization exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(5) of the internal revenue code of 1986, so long as the individual does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a social worker licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized under this part. The exemption for a participant in a program described under this subdivision does not otherwise provide an exemption from licensure or registration under this part for an employee of the charitable or labor organization not otherwise authorized to engage in activities or use a title regulated under this part.

(f) An individual whose duties may include some or all of the activities described in section 18501(1)(f) as long as he or she is trained and does not hold himself or herself out as an individual licensed or registered under this part or does not use a title regulated by this part, or both.

(2) This part does not prohibit an individual who holds a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree in social work from an accredited college or university from using a title including "social work" if the individual does not engage in the practice of social work at the bachelor's or master's level.

History: Add. 2004, Act 61, Eff. July 1, 2005 Popular Name: Act 368