HB 5166 revises Connecticut’s social work licensure statutes, primarily by updating the education, examination, and endorsement requirements for master social workers and clinical social workers. The bill allows applicants to qualify with degrees from Council on Social Work Education-accredited programs, including certain in-state programs in candidate status during a defined window, and it preserves pathways for applicants educated outside the United States if their education is deemed equivalent. It also clarifies licensure by endorsement for out-of-state social workers in good standing whose requirements are substantially similar to or higher than Connecticut’s, while excluding applicants with pending discipline or unresolved complaints.
For clinical social worker licensure, the bill maintains the requirement for a doctorate or master’s degree, 3,000 hours of post-master’s experience, and supervised practice, but removes some older examination-related language from the master social worker pathway and repeals a separate statutory section tied to prior transitional provisions. It also requires the commissioner to notify exam candidates about possible testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other accommodations available through the exam administrator. In addition, the bill preserves a process for applicants with criminal convictions to request a pre-determination of whether a conviction would disqualify them from licensure, with a small optional fee and a 30-day response timeline.
Impact
The bill amends sections 20-195n and 20-195o of the general statutes and repeals section 20-195t, all effective July 1, 2026. Its practical effect is to modernize and streamline social work licensure rules, adjust how applicants qualify through education and endorsement, and remove outdated transitional language. It affects applicants for master social worker and clinical social worker licenses, the Department of Public Health commissioner, social work education programs, and out-of-state licensees seeking Connecticut licensure.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It received a favorable committee vote of 25-6 and later passed the House 140-2, indicating strong bipartisan or near-unanimous agreement that the licensure framework should be updated. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so the record here shows support more clearly than debate or opposition.
Contention
The main points of potential contention appear to be the balance between professional standards and licensure access. Removing or revising examination requirements and expanding endorsement pathways may have raised concerns for some legislators about maintaining rigor, while supporters likely viewed the changes as a way to reduce unnecessary barriers and align Connecticut with current licensure practices. The criminal-conviction review provision could also be a point of discussion, since it offers a pathway for applicants with prior convictions while preserving the commissioner’s discretion to deny licensure based on safety and competency concerns.