Extends the duration of limited permits to practice licensed clinical social work and use the title licensed clinical social worker, or practice licensed master social work and use the title licensed master social worker from twelve to twenty-four months with the ability to be renewed for up to two additional one-year periods.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9566A
SPONSOR: Berger TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to extending the duration
of limited permits to practice licensed clinical social work and
licensed master social work
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to extend the duration of limited permits
for licensed master social workers (LMSWs) and licensed clinical social
workers (LCSWs) from twelve months to twenty-four months and to author-
ize the State Education Department (SED) to renew such permits for up to
two additional one-year periods, at the Department's discretion.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends subdivision 1 of section 7705 of the
education law to increase the validity period of limited permits for the
practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social
work from twelve months to twenty-four months. The bill further clari-
fies that such limited permits may be renewed, at the discretion of the
State Education Department, for up to two additional one-year periods.
Section two provides the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Extended effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Under current law, individuals who have completed all licensure require-
ments for LMSW or LCSW licensure except the examination may practice
only under a limited permit valid for twelve months. This timeframe is
often insufficient to complete supervised practice requirements, sit for
the licensure examination, and account for administrative delays.
Extending limited permits to twenty-four months will provide greater
stability for permit holders, supervisors, employers, and the clients
they serve, particularly in light of ongoing social work and mental
health workforce shortages. This change also aligns the limited permit
duration for LMSWs and LCSWs with that already afforded to other mental
health practitioners licensed under Article 163 of the education law,
promoting consistency across the professions.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9566--A
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BERGER -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Higher Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to extending the duration
of limited permits to practice licensed clinical social work and
licensed master social work
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 7705 of the education law, as
2 amended by chapter 230 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as
3 follows:
4 1. On recommendation of the board, the department may issue a limited
5 permit to practice licensed clinical social work and use the title
6 licensed clinical social worker, or to practice licensed master social
7 work and use the title licensed master social worker to an applicant who
8 has met all requirements for licensure as a licensed master social work-
9 er or a licensed clinical social worker except those relating to the
10 examination and provided that the individual is under the general super-
11 vision of a licensed master social worker or a licensed clinical social
12 worker, as determined by the department. This limited permit shall be
13 valid for a period of not more than [twelve] twenty-four months, and
14 such limited permits may be renewed, at the discretion of the depart-
15 ment, for up to two additional one-year periods.
16 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
17 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
18 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
19 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
20 completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14175-02-6
