Minnesota Agencies

The board adopts and enforces rules for licensure of social workers and for regulation of their professional conduct.

The Social Work Licensing Board was created by the 1987 Legislature to adopt and enforce rules for the licensure of social workers, and to regulate their professional conduct (from a press release dated September 11, 1987).

In 1992, the Social Work Licensing Board became the Minnesota Board of Social Work (1992 Minn. Laws Chap. 460 Sec. 21). 

The fifteen member board includes five social workers licensed at the baccalaureate level; five social workers licensed at the master's level; and five public members as defined in Minnesota Statutes 214.02. The social workers shall be engaged in the practice of social work in Minnesota in the following employment settings: one in a state agency; one in a county agency; two in private agencies; one in a private clinical social work setting; one educator engaged in regular teaching duties at an accredited program of social work; one engaged in the practice of social work in an elementary, middle, or secondary school; and one employed in a hospital or nursing home licensed under Chapter 144 or 144A. In addition, at least five members shall have expertise in communities of color and at least six members shall reside outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Members must file with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. The board meets six times per year at the MN Board of Social Work office. The board does not expire.