Subdivision 1. Competence. (a) A social worker must provide services and hold out as competent only to the extent the social worker's education, training, license, consultation received, supervision experience, or other relevant professional experience demonstrate competence in the services provided. A social worker must make a referral to a competent professional when the services required are beyond the social worker's competence or authorized scope of practice.

(b) When generally recognized standards do not exist with respect to an emerging area of practice, including but not limited to providing social work services through electronic means, a social worker must take the steps necessary, such as consultation or supervision, to ensure the competence of the social worker's work and to protect clients from harm.

Subd. 2. Supervision or consultation. Notwithstanding the completion of supervision requirements as specified in sections 148E.100 to 148E.125, a social worker must obtain supervision or engage in consultation when appropriate or necessary for competent and ethical practice.

Subd. 3. Delegation of social work responsibilities. (a) A social worker must not delegate a social work responsibility to another individual when the social worker knows or reasonably should know that the individual is not licensed when required to be licensed according to sections 148E.055 and 148E.060.

(b) A social worker must not delegate a social work responsibility to another individual when the social worker knows or reasonably should know that the individual is not competent to assume the responsibility or perform the task.

History: 2007 c 123 s 103,138