21 NCAC 63 .0204             REFERENCES

(a)  Applicants for all classifications shall have a minimum of three references related to the applicant's social work experience. The Board shall not accept references by relatives, clients, or subordinates of applicants. A current Board member shall not submit a reference for an applicant unless the Board member is the applicant's current or only social work supervisor. In such a case the Board member may submit a reference, but the Board member shall recuse from review of that applicant.

(b)  All references shall come from individuals who have or had a professional association with the applicant and have knowledge of the applicant's professional experience in the practice of social work.

(c)  For applicants for LCSWA licensure, at least one reference shall be from a person who has been or is currently supervising the applicant in a social work setting.

(d)  For applicants from other jurisdictions seeking certification or licensure in accordance with G.S. 90B-8, at least one reference shall be from a registered, certified, or licensed social worker who has been or is currently practicing in a social work setting.

(e)  All references shall be on a form prescribed by the Board, which is available on the Board's website at ncswboard.org, and shall contain the following:

(1)           the name of the applicant and the classification for which the applicant is applying;

(2)           the name of the person completing the reference;

(3)           the applicant's signature and applicant's indication as to whether or not the applicant waives the right to access the information provided by the person completing the reference;

(4)           the profession of the person completing the reference;

(5)           the position of the person completing the reference;

(6)           the relationship between the applicant and the person completing the reference;

(7)           how long the person completing the reference has known the applicant;

(8)           whether the person completing the reference believes that he or she has limited, moderate, or thorough knowledge of the applicant's professional qualifications;

(9)           whether the applicant has ever been guilty of unprofessional conduct, dishonest practice, incompetence, or fraud, if known by the person completing the reference;

(10)         if the person completing the reference is aware of any issues such as substance abuse or emotional disorders that would impair the applicant's ability to practice;

(11)         if the person completing the reference has any concerns about the applicant that he or she would like to bring to the Board's attention and if so, a description;

(12)         a rating of poor, good, superior, or unknown for the applicant's professional judgement, ethical conduct, competence and skill, ability to convey concern and empathy, record keeping, client relationships, written communication, verbal communication, and social work knowledge base;

(13)         whether the person completing the reference, in his or her discretion, would recommend the applicant highly without reservation; recommend the applicant as qualified and competent; recommend the applicant with some reservation and if so, to explain accordingly; or would not recommend the applicant and if not, to explain accordingly;

(14)         a narrative of the applicant's strengths, weaknesses, special skills, reservations, or other information related to the applicant's suitability for certification or licensure, including any reservations held by the person completing the reference regarding the applicant; and

(15)         the signature and contact information of the person completing the reference.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90B-6; 90B-7; 90B-8;

Eff. August 1, 1987;

Temporary Amendment Eff. October 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2009; April 1, 2001;

Readopted Eff. February 1, 2017;

Amended Eff. October 1, 2021.