HB 2466
In CommitteeHouse
Social workers board
Creating the Washington state board of governors for licensed social workers.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill establishes a new independent board—the Washington state board of governors for licensed social workers—to regulate licensed social workers, replacing the Department of Health as the primary regulator. The goal is to provide more focused oversight and public protection specific to social work practice. A three-year transition period begins July 1, 2026, with full regulatory authority expected by July 1, 2029.
- Creates the Washington state board of governors for licensed social workers, a new independent regulatory board composed of seven members: four licensed independent clinical social workers, two licensed advanced or independent clinical social workers, and one public member.
- Transfers regulatory authority over licensed social workers—including licensing, discipline, rulemaking, and continuing competency—from the Department of Health to the new board over a three-year transition period, with full authority expected by July 1, 2029.
- Establishes new definitions for 'advanced social work', 'independent clinical social work', and 'associate' licenses, and creates a new associate license category for pre-licensure candidates (e.g., licensed social work associate, advanced associate, independent clinical associate).
- Grants the board authority to adopt rules on ethics, continuing education, supervision standards, professional liability insurance requirements, and reciprocity/endorsement for out-of-state licenses.
- Requires licensed social workers to provide written disclosure statements to clients at the start of treatment, including scope of practice, qualifications, confidentiality limits, and financial terms, with client acknowledgment required.
- Maintains the existing uniform disciplinary act (chapter 18.130 RCW) as the governing framework for discipline, but designates the new board as the disciplining authority for social workers.
- Includes a sunset clause: sections 19–47 take effect only if and when the board assumes full regulatory authority, with a contingent effective date of July 1, 2027, or later.
Who is affected
- Licensed social workers and social work associates — Licensed social workers—including licensed advanced social workers, licensed independent clinical social workers, and social work associates—will now be regulated by a new independent board instead of the Department of Health directly. This includes changes to licensing, discipline, continuing education, and supervision requirements.
- General public — The public will benefit from more focused oversight and potentially faster response to complaints or emerging ethical issues specific to social work practice, due to the creation of a board with dedicated expertise.
- Department of Health — The Department of Health will transition regulatory authority over social workers to the new board over a three-year period, including handing over disciplinary functions, rulemaking, and licensing operations.
- Social work education programs — Educational programs in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education will need to ensure their curricula meet new board-established standards for licensure, including continuing education and ethics requirements.
- Employers of social workers — Employers of social workers—including hospitals, mental health agencies, schools, and federally qualified health centers—may need to adjust supervision structures, ensure compliance with new disclosure and confidentiality rules, and prepare for changes in credentialing and supervision billing.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Creates a dedicated board with seven members (four independent clinical, two advanced, one public) to oversee social work regulation, improving responsiveness to profession-specific issues and public concerns.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)Establishes a clear three-year transition timeline (July 1, 2026–2029) with milestones for board formation, rulemaking, and assumption of full authority, ensuring orderly implementation and minimizing service disruption.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 16(1)-(4)Creates new definitions for advanced, independent clinical, and associate licenses, clarifying scope of practice and training pathways, which helps educators and students align curricula and supervision standards.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)Establishes an associate license category for pre-licensure candidates, enabling supervised practice during the licensing process and supporting workforce entry and retention.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 9(1)Maintains Department of Health authority during transition to ensure continuous regulatory coverage and public protection, reducing risk of gaps in oversight.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 14
Potential Concerns (5)
Mandates written disclosure statements to clients at treatment start, including scope of practice, qualifications, confidentiality limits, and financial terms, with client acknowledgment required. This improves transparency and informed consent, reducing risk of misrepresentation or exploitation.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2 (10)Requires disclosure that associates are supervised and under supervision at first contact, protecting clients from confusion about provider qualifications and accountability.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 7(1)Authorizes the board to adopt a code of ethics specifically designed to protect the public interest, strengthening professional accountability and reducing risk of harm from unethical practice.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4(1)(h)Grants board authority to require professional liability insurance, which improves client recourse in cases of malpractice or negligence and incentivizes higher practice standards.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4(1)(i)Requires the Department of Health to provide an annual fiscal report to the legislature on program finances, enhancing oversight and transparency of regulatory costs.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 16(4)
Who Is Most Affected
Social workers gain clearer scope definitions, dedicated regulatory oversight, and structured pathways to full licensure; however, they face new disclosure, insurance, and ethics compliance requirements.
The public benefits from more responsive, profession-specific regulation and stronger transparency requirements, but may see no direct cost or access changes.
The Department of Health loses regulatory authority over social workers but avoids new costs; transition support is provided, and it retains oversight of other behavioral health professions.
Social work programs may need to align curricula with new board standards, but the bill affirms existing accreditation pathways and creates clarity for supervision requirements.
Employers must adjust supervision structures and disclosure practices, but the bill supports workforce continuity through associate licensing and clarifies supervision billing eligibility.