645—280.9(154C) License renewal.
	280.9(1) The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice social work shall begin on January 1 of odd-numbered years and end on December 31 of the next even-numbered year. Every licensee shall renew on a biennial basis. The licensee is responsible for renewing the license prior to its expiration. Failure of the licensee to receive notice does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for renewing the license.
	280.9(2) Renewal procedures.
	a. 	A licensee seeking renewal shall:
	(1)	Meet the continuing education requirements of rule 645—281.2(154C,272C) and the mandatory reporting requirements of subrule 280.9(3). A licensee whose license was reactivated during the current renewal compliance period may use continuing education credit earned during the compliance period for the first renewal following reactivation; and
	(2)	Submit the completed renewal application and renewal fee before the license expiration date.
	b. 	An individual who was issued a license within six months of the license renewal date will not be required to renew the license until the next renewal two years later.
	c. 	Those persons licensed for the first time shall not be required to complete continuing education as a prerequisite for the first renewal of their licenses. Continuing education hours acquired anytime from the initial licensing until the second license renewal may be used. The new licensee will be required to complete a minimum of 27 hours of continuing education per biennium for each subsequent license renewal.
	d. 	Persons licensed to practice social work shall keep their renewal licenses displayed in a conspicuous public place at the primary site of practice.
	e. 	Failure to receive the notice of renewal shall not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for submitting the required materials and the renewal fee to the board office 30 days before license expiration.
	f. 	A social worker whose Iowa license is inactive, delinquent, closed, retired, voluntarily surrendered, suspended, or revoked cannot advance to a higher level until the license is again active.
	280.9(3) Mandatory reporting of child abuse and dependent adult abuse.
	a. 	A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats children in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of two hours of training in child abuse identification and reporting in the previous five years or condition(s) for waiver of this requirement as identified in paragraph “f.”
	b. 	A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats dependent adults in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of two hours of training in dependent adult abuse identification and reporting in the previous five years or condition(s) for waiver of this requirement as identified in paragraph “f.”
	c. 	A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats both dependent adults and children in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of training in abuse identification and reporting in dependent adults and children or condition(s) for waiver of this requirement as identified in paragraph “f.”
	d. 	Training may be completed through separate courses as identified in paragraphs “a” and “b” or in one combined two-hour course that includes curricula for identifying and reporting child abuse and dependent adult abuse.
	e. 	The licensee shall maintain written documentation for five years after mandatory training as identified in paragraphs “a” to “c,” including program date(s), content, duration, and proof of participation.
	f. 	The requirement for mandatory training for identifying and reporting child and dependent adult abuse shall be suspended if the board determines that suspension is in the public interest or that a person at the time of license renewal:
	(1)	Is engaged in active duty in the military service of this state or the United States.
	(2)	Holds a current waiver by the board based on evidence of significant hardship in complying with training requirements, including waiver of continuing education requirements or extension of time in which to fulfill requirements due to a physical or mental disability or illness as identified in 645—Chapter 281.
	g. 	The board may select licensees for audit of compliance with the requirements in paragraphs “a” to “e.”
	280.9(4) Late renewal. To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.
	280.9(5) Inactive license. A licensee who fails to renew the license by the end of the grace period has an inactive license. A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa, but may not practice as a social worker in Iowa until the license is reactivated. A licensee who practices as a social worker in the state of Iowa with an inactive license may be subject to disciplinary action by the board, injunctive action pursuant to Iowa Code section 147.83, criminal sanctions pursuant to Iowa Code section 147.86, and other available legal remedies.
	280.9(6) Upon receiving the information required by this rule and the required fee, board staff shall administratively issue a two-year license and shall send the licensee a wallet card by regular mail. In the event the board receives adverse information on the renewal application, the board shall issue the renewal license but may refer the adverse information for further consideration or disciplinary investigation.
[ARC 8371B, IAB 12/16/09, effective 1/20/10; ARC 9934B, IAB 12/28/11, effective 2/1/12; ARC 3744C, IAB 4/11/18, effective 5/16/18]