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Social Worker is a Protected Title

Social Worker Title Protection in Connecticut

The title of social worker is a protected title in CT statute, Public Act 19-164 – An Act Concerning Social Workers https://www.cga.ct.gov/2019/ACT/pa/pdf/2019PA-00164-R00HB-07198-PA.pdf . This means that an individual cannot refer to themselves as a social worker if they do not hold a degree in social work from a program that was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The  exceptions are the State of Connecticut and municipalities, as stated below.

The law has three main components:

  1. No person shall use the title of “licensed master social worker” or any initials associated with such title, or advertise services under the description of licensed master social worker, as defined in the CT General Statutes section 20-195m, unless such person is licensed as a master social worker.
  2. No person shall use the title of “licensed clinical social worker” or any initials associated with such title, or advertise services under the description of licensed clinical social worker, as defined in the CT General Statutes section 20-195m, unless such person is licensed as a clinical social worker.
  3. No person shall use the title “social worker” or any initials associated with such title, or advertise services under the description of “social worker” unless such person has earned a baccalaureate or master degree in a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, a doctoral degree in social work or, if educated outside of the United States or its territories, has completed an educational program deemed equivalent by the CSWE.

Exceptions to the Statute:

  1. A municipality may continue to use the title social worker for an employee to describe or perform duties related to the position of the employees of the municipality who held the title of social worker prior to October 1, 2019. On and after October 1, 2019 the title of social worker is a protected title and shall not be used by municipal employees hired on or after October 1, 2019, nor shall the title of social worker continue to be used by a person employed by a municipality upon leaving the employ of the municipality.
  2. The State of Connecticut may use the title social worker for employees to describe or perform the employee’s duties in the course of such employment with the state. The title of social worker shall not continue to be used by a person employed by the State of CT upon leaving the employ of the State.

Preference in Hiring: Public Act 19-164 requires the State of Connecticut to give preference in hiring for the position of social worker, where a social work license is not required, to those candidates who hold a BSW or MSW degree from a CSWE accredited program or a DSW. This fact sheet is for informational purposed only and is not to be construed as legal advice.