OR SW Jurisprudence cheat sheet
OR SW Jurisprudence · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Oregon Revised Statutes and Administrative Rules Governing Social Work Practice
Oregon's social work practice act is codified at ORS 675.510 through 675.600; the implementing rules are in OAR chapter 877, divisions 20 (licensing), 25 (supervision), 30 (code of conduct), and 40 (disciplinary actions).
ORS 675.510 defines "social worker" and "clinical social worker"; the Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW) is the licensing body created under ORS 675.530.
OAR 877-020-0000 through 0010 set application requirements: official transcripts, supervised experience verification, criminal background check, and jurisprudence examination passage.
Continuing education: LCSW and LMSW renewals require 30 clock hours per two-year cycle under OAR 877-020-0100; at least 6 hours must be in ethics, and 2 hours in suicide risk assessment for clinical licensees.
License renewal occurs every two years on the licensee's birth month; late renewal triggers a fee and possible inactive status.
ORS 675.560 authorizes the Board to refuse, suspend, or revoke a license, impose civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and require remedial education.
OAR 877-030-0010 adopts the NASW Code of Ethics as the enforceable standard of conduct for Oregon social workers, supplemented by Board-specific rules.
A licensee must notify the Board in writing within 10 days of any arrest, charge, or conviction, and within 30 days of a change of address.
Scope of Practice, Licensure Levels, and Supervision Requirements
Oregon has three licenses: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW); only the LCSW may independently diagnose and treat mental disorders under ORS 675.510.
LCSW requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, 3,500 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years, and passage of the ASWB Clinical exam; supervision must include 100 hours of direct supervision with at least 50 individual hours.
LMSW requires an MSW plus passage of the ASWB Master's exam; LMSWs practice under supervision and may not diagnose or practice psychotherapy independently.
LBSW requires a BSW plus passage of the ASWB Bachelor's exam; LBSWs provide case management and generalist services under supervision.
Supervision hours may not exceed 40 per week; group supervision may count for no more than half of the required direct supervision hours under OAR 877-025-0010.
Supervisors must hold an active LCSW in Oregon for at least two years post-licensure and complete a Board-approved supervisor training before supervising.
"Psychotherapy" and "clinical social work" include assessment, diagnosis (LCSW only), treatment planning, and intervention for mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Title protection: only licensees may use the titles LCSW, LMSW, or LBSW; unlicensed use is a Class A violation subject to civil penalty under ORS 675.595.
Ethics, Professional Conduct, and Disciplinary Process
Core ethical duties under OAR 877-030-0010: informed consent, competence, confidentiality, boundary maintenance, non-discrimination, and accurate billing.
Dual relationships that impair objectivity or exploit the client are prohibited; bartering is permitted only when culturally appropriate, non-exploitative, and documented in the record.
Sexual contact with a current client is prohibited regardless of consent; the Board may also sanction sexual contact with a former client within two years of termination.
Records must be retained at least seven years after termination of services, or until age 21 for minors, whichever is longer.
Disciplinary process: complaint filed → Board investigation → notice of charges → contested case hearing before an administrative law judge under ORS chapter 183 → Board final order.
Sanctions escalate from letter of reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, to revocation; civil penalties and remedial education may accompany any sanction.
Licensees must report to the Board within 10 days any adverse action taken against a license by another jurisdiction or a malpractice payment.
Impaired practice: the Board may order evaluation and monitoring through a Board-approved program; self-report of impairment before a complaint may mitigate discipline.
Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting, and Client Rights Under Oregon Law
ORS 40.225 (Oregon evidence rule) and ORS 675.540 create a psychotherapist-client privilege held by the client, waivable only by the client or guardian.
Mandatory child abuse reporting: ORS 419B.010 requires any person, including social workers, to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement or ODHS within 24 hours by phone, with a written report within 48 hours.
Elder and vulnerable adult abuse reporting: ORS 124.050 requires reports to ODHS Adult Protective Services or law enforcement; the standard is reasonable cause to believe abuse occurred.
Exceptions to confidentiality: imminent risk of serious harm, court order, mandatory abuse reporting, and written authorization; disclosure must be limited to the minimum necessary.
Minors: Oregon allows minors 14 and older to consent to outpatient mental health treatment under ORS 109.675; parents generally retain access to records unless the minor's treatment is authorized by another statute.
Clients have the right to access their records under ORS 192.553 to 192.581 (Oregon Consumer Information Privacy Act), with limited exceptions for imminent harm.
HIPAA 45 CFR 164.512 and 42 CFR Part 2 govern substance use disorder records; Part 2 consent requirements are stricter than general HIPAA authorization.
Duty to warn/protect: Oregon follows a permissive disclosure standard (ORS 179.505) allowing, but not mandating, disclosure to protect an identifiable third party from serious threat of violence.
Oregon Revised Statutes and Administrative Rules Governing Social Work Practice
Oregon's social work practice act is codified at ORS 675.510 through 675.600; the implementing rules are in OAR chapter 877, divisions 20 (licensing), 25 (supervision), 30 (code of conduct), and 40 (disciplinary actions).
ORS 675.510 defines "social worker" and "clinical social worker"; the Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW) is the licensing body created under ORS 675.530.
OAR 877-020-0000 through 0010 set application requirements: official transcripts, supervised experience verification, criminal background check, and jurisprudence examination passage.
Continuing education: LCSW and LMSW renewals require 30 clock hours per two-year cycle under OAR 877-020-0100; at least 6 hours must be in ethics, and 2 hours in suicide risk assessment for clinical licensees.
License renewal occurs every two years on the licensee's birth month; late renewal triggers a fee and possible inactive status.
ORS 675.560 authorizes the Board to refuse, suspend, or revoke a license, impose civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and require remedial education.
OAR 877-030-0010 adopts the NASW Code of Ethics as the enforceable standard of conduct for Oregon social workers, supplemented by Board-specific rules.
A licensee must notify the Board in writing within 10 days of any arrest, charge, or conviction, and within 30 days of a change of address.
Scope of Practice, Licensure Levels, and Supervision Requirements
Oregon has three licenses: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW); only the LCSW may independently diagnose and treat mental disorders under ORS 675.510.
LCSW requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, 3,500 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years, and passage of the ASWB Clinical exam; supervision must include 100 hours of direct supervision with at least 50 individual hours.
LMSW requires an MSW plus passage of the ASWB Master's exam; LMSWs practice under supervision and may not diagnose or practice psychotherapy independently.
LBSW requires a BSW plus passage of the ASWB Bachelor's exam; LBSWs provide case management and generalist services under supervision.
Supervision hours may not exceed 40 per week; group supervision may count for no more than half of the required direct supervision hours under OAR 877-025-0010.
Supervisors must hold an active LCSW in Oregon for at least two years post-licensure and complete a Board-approved supervisor training before supervising.
"Psychotherapy" and "clinical social work" include assessment, diagnosis (LCSW only), treatment planning, and intervention for mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Title protection: only licensees may use the titles LCSW, LMSW, or LBSW; unlicensed use is a Class A violation subject to civil penalty under ORS 675.595.
Ethics, Professional Conduct, and Disciplinary Process
Core ethical duties under OAR 877-030-0010: informed consent, competence, confidentiality, boundary maintenance, non-discrimination, and accurate billing.
Dual relationships that impair objectivity or exploit the client are prohibited; bartering is permitted only when culturally appropriate, non-exploitative, and documented in the record.
Sexual contact with a current client is prohibited regardless of consent; the Board may also sanction sexual contact with a former client within two years of termination.
Records must be retained at least seven years after termination of services, or until age 21 for minors, whichever is longer.
Disciplinary process: complaint filed → Board investigation → notice of charges → contested case hearing before an administrative law judge under ORS chapter 183 → Board final order.
Sanctions escalate from letter of reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, to revocation; civil penalties and remedial education may accompany any sanction.
Licensees must report to the Board within 10 days any adverse action taken against a license by another jurisdiction or a malpractice payment.
Impaired practice: the Board may order evaluation and monitoring through a Board-approved program; self-report of impairment before a complaint may mitigate discipline.
Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting, and Client Rights Under Oregon Law
ORS 40.225 (Oregon evidence rule) and ORS 675.540 create a psychotherapist-client privilege held by the client, waivable only by the client or guardian.
Mandatory child abuse reporting: ORS 419B.010 requires any person, including social workers, to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement or ODHS within 24 hours by phone, with a written report within 48 hours.
Elder and vulnerable adult abuse reporting: ORS 124.050 requires reports to ODHS Adult Protective Services or law enforcement; the standard is reasonable cause to believe abuse occurred.
Exceptions to confidentiality: imminent risk of serious harm, court order, mandatory abuse reporting, and written authorization; disclosure must be limited to the minimum necessary.
Minors: Oregon allows minors 14 and older to consent to outpatient mental health treatment under ORS 109.675; parents generally retain access to records unless the minor's treatment is authorized by another statute.
Clients have the right to access their records under ORS 192.553 to 192.581 (Oregon Consumer Information Privacy Act), with limited exceptions for imminent harm.
HIPAA 45 CFR 164.512 and 42 CFR Part 2 govern substance use disorder records; Part 2 consent requirements are stricter than general HIPAA authorization.
Duty to warn/protect: Oregon follows a permissive disclosure standard (ORS 179.505) allowing, but not mandating, disclosure to protect an identifiable third party from serious threat of violence.