Success!

Despite Councilmember Henderson refusing to allow the Social Work License Modernization Amendment Act of 2023 to move forward, we still had an important success in our advocacy efforts.  

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DC has had unusually strict rules surrounding the practice of unlicensed MSWs. Effectively, any MSW was practicing "unlicensed social work" if they did not have a license - even if they were doing jobs that do not require a social work license. This led to many qualified BIPOC individuals being barred from employment in social services in DC.

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Thanks to our advocacy and the listening ear of Dr. Bennett, DC's Director of the Department of Health, this rule has now changed! Unlicensed MSWs are now allowed to work in non-clinical roles. This allows people to have income while they prepare to study for the exam, or take a pause on trying to pass it but still be able to afford a roof over their heads.

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If you'd like to read the clarification from DC itself, the document is here.

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If you submitted testimony, signed a letter, educated a peer, or spoke to lawmakers, this success is yours, too!

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