(1) Upon passing the examination and meeting the requirements prescribed for licensure and upon paying the initial licensure fee, an applicant shall be issued the appropriate license by the board. Except as provided in Section 33-1-39, licenses shall be renewed biennially after initial licensure in the manner prescribed by the rules and regulations of the board and upon the payment of the fees for renewal prescribed by the board. However, the fee for an initial license may be prorated in proportion to the period of time from the date of issuance.

(2) Any person who desires to be licensed as a social worker or marriage and family therapist shall apply to the board in writing on a form furnished by the board. The applicant shall provide any documents as required by the application forms provided by the board. The applicant shall pay the board at the time of filing an application fee to the board, no part of which shall be refunded. Additionally, the board shall adopt a fee schedule by rule and regulation, which shall include late fees.

(3) The initial and renewal license fees shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for a licensed social worker, Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for a licensed master’s social worker, and Three Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.00) for a licensed certified social worker. When increased by the board, fees may not be increased by more than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the previous year’s fee.

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, in all instances where the board uses the services of a national testing service for preparation, administration, or grading of examinations, the applicant shall pay the required fees to the national testing service, in addition to other board fees.

(5) During a lawfully declared local, state or national disaster or emergency, the board may issue a temporary license to any otherwise qualified social worker or marriage and family therapist licensed and in good standing in another state or territory of the United States of America and who meets any other requirements as the board may prescribe by rule and regulation.

(6) Every person to whom a license is issued under the authority of the board shall, as a condition precedent to its issuance, pay the application and any other fee(s) prescribed by the board.