TX SW Juris cheat sheet

Occupations Code Chapter 505 is the Social Work Practice Act; it creates the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners and authorizes the Board to adopt rules.

Texas issues four social work credentials: Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Statutory definition of social work practice: applying social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning.

Statutory definition of clinical social work: the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, including psychotherapy.

Only the LCSW may practice clinical social work independently, without supervision, and with clinical responsibility for clients.

An LMSW may deliver clinical services only while under Board-qualified clinical supervision while completing the requirements for LCSW.

LBSW practice is generalist and non-clinical: no diagnosis or treatment of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.

The LSWA is the associate-level credential; its practice is limited and non-clinical and must stay inside the boundaries set by Board rule.

Using a protected social work title, or practicing social work without the required license, violates Chapter 505 and is subject to disciplinary action.

Board rules governing social work practice are codified in Title 22, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 781.

Licenses renew every two years; continuing education must be completed before renewal, and practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice.

Continuing education requirement: 30 clock hours per two-year renewal period, including at least 6 hours in ethics.

LCSW requirements: hold the LMSW, document at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over not less than 24 months, and pass the clinical examination.

Supervision is a formal, documented relationship: the supervisor must hold the qualifications required by Board rule, be responsible for the supervisee's clinical work, and record the supervision provided.

Supervised clinical hours count only when the supervisory relationship and supervision plan comply with Board rules and are documented for the Board.

Licensure by endorsement is available when the applicant holds a current license from another jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially equivalent to Texas requirements.

Independent clinical practice and clinical responsibility for clients are restricted to the LCSW level; master's-level clinical work must occur under supervision.

Board rules bar supervisors from supervising relatives or supervisees with whom the supervisor has a conflicting dual relationship.

Confidentiality is the default rule: client information is disclosed only with a valid written authorization or when law requires or permits disclosure.

A valid authorization identifies the information to be released, its purpose, the recipient, an expiration date, and the client's right to revoke.

Legally mandated or permitted disclosures override confidentiality: suspected child abuse or neglect, abuse or neglect of an elderly or disabled adult, court orders, and imminent serious harm.

Sexual contact, sexual exploitation, or romantic involvement with a current client is prohibited and is grounds for disciplinary action.

Dual or multiple relationships: licensees avoid conflicts of interest; when a second relationship is unavoidable they disclose the risk, obtain consent, and document safeguards.

Texas imposes no general statutory duty to warn or protect third parties (Thapar v. Zezulka), although disclosure is permitted when necessary to prevent imminent serious harm.

Informed consent precedes service and covers the nature of services, risks, benefits, fees, limits of confidentiality, and the right to withdraw.

Licensees practice only within their competence and scope and refer clients whose needs exceed the licensee's education, training, or experience.

Advertising and self-description must be accurate; licensees may not misrepresent credentials, services, or outcomes, or imply a license they do not hold.

A professional must report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Family and Protective Services within 48 hours (Texas Family Code 261.101).

Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult aged 65 or older, or an adult with a disability, must be reported to DFPS protective services.

A good-faith report of abuse or neglect carries immunity from civil and criminal liability under Texas law; failure to report exposes a professional to criminal and licensing penalties.

Client records must be retained for at least five years after the last date of service under Board rule, and longer where other law requires.

Records contain intake and assessment, service plan, progress notes, signed releases, and a termination summary; corrections are dated, signed, and preserve the original entry.

Complaints are filed with the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, which screens and investigates them and either dismisses or files formal charges.

Contested disciplinary cases are referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings, where an administrative law judge hears the case and issues a proposal for decision.

Available sanctions include reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, revocation, administrative penalties, and required remedial education or supervised practice.

Failing to cooperate with a Board investigation is itself a violation that can support separate disciplinary action.