Fla. Stat. 491.016
Social work; use of title
(1)
A social worker is not authorized to conduct clinical social work without obtaining and possessing a license or certification issued pursuant to this chapter.(2)
It shall be a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for a person, for or without compensation, to hold himself or herself out to the public as a social worker either directly or through a governmental or private organization, entity, or agency unless that person:Possesses at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a social work program accredited by or from an institution that is an active candidate for accreditation as a social work program by the Council on Social Work Education; orCompletes, at a university or college outside the United States or Canada, a social work program determined by the Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on Social Work Education to be equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work.(a)
Possesses at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a social work program accredited by or from an institution that is an active candidate for accreditation as a social work program by the Council on Social Work Education; or(b)
Completes, at a university or college outside the United States or Canada, a social work program determined by the Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on Social Work Education to be equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work.(3)
This section does not apply to:A person who, prior to July 1, 2008, used the title “social worker” in his or her employment.Employees providing social work services under administrative supervision in long-term care facilities licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration.(a)
A person who, prior to July 1, 2008, used the title “social worker” in his or her employment.(b)
Employees providing social work services under administrative supervision in long-term care facilities licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration.(4)
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement and enforce this section.
Source:
Section 491.016 — Social work; use of title, https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0491.016 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).