645—280.7(154C) License renewal.
	280.7(1) The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice social work will begin on January 1 of odd-numbered years and end on December 31 of the next even-numbered year. Every licensee will 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.
	280.7(2) Renewal procedures.
	a. 	A licensee seeking renewal will:
	(1)	Meet the continuing education requirements of rule 645—281.2(154C) and the mandatory reporting requirements of subrule 280.7(3); and
	(2)	Submit the completed renewal application and renewal fee before the license expiration date.
	b. 	Those persons licensed for the first time will 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.
	c. 	Persons licensed to practice social work shall keep their renewal licenses displayed in a conspicuous public place at the primary site of practice.
	d. 	Failure to receive the notice of renewal will 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.
	e. 	A social worker whose Iowa license is delinquent, closed, retired, voluntarily surrendered, suspended, or revoked cannot advance to a higher level until the license is again active.
	280.7(3) Mandatory reporting of child abuse and dependent adult abuse.
	a. 	Effective July 1, 2019, a licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats children in Iowa will complete an initial two-hour child abuse mandatory reporter training course offered by the department of health and human services within six months of employment, or prior to the expiration of a current certificate. Thereafter, all mandatory reporters will take a one-hour recertification training every three years, prior to the expiration of a current certificate.
	b. 	Effective July 1, 2019, a licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats adults in Iowa will complete an initial two-hour dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training course offered by the department of health and human services within six months of employment, or prior to the expiration of a current certificate. Thereafter, all mandatory reporters will take a one-hour recertification training every three years, prior to the expiration of a current certificate.
	c. 	The requirement for mandatory reporter training for identifying and reporting child and dependent adult abuse will 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.
	d. 	The board may select licensees for audit of compliance with the requirements in paragraphs 280.7(3)“a” and “b.”
	280.7(4) Late renewal. To renew a late license, the licensee will complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.
	280.7(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.
	280.7(6) Upon receiving the information required by this rule and the required fee, board staff will administratively issue a two-year license. In the event the board receives adverse information on the renewal application, the board will issue the renewal license but may refer the adverse information for further consideration or disciplinary investigation.
[ARC 8057C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]