{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/54.1-3709.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/54.1-3709.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/54.1-3709.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/54.1-3709.html"}],"law_id":368891,"edition_id":2,"section_id":368891,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3709","catch_line":"Unlawful designation as social worker","history":"2011, c. 794.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person not licensed under this chapter to use the title “Social Worker” in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses clarifying initials that signify receiving a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an accredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work.\n\nB\n\nIf a complaint or report of a possible violation of this section is made against any person who is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions, that complaint shall be referred to the applicable board within the Department for disciplinary action. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nC\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. Part 483 may practice as a “qualified social worker” in any licensed nursing home using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title “social worker” in connection with the activities of the nursing home.\n\nD\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. § 418.114(b)(3) may practice as a “social worker” in any licensed hospice using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title “social worker” in connection with the activities of the hospice.\n\nE\n\nThat nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the Department of Social Services, or any other entity, to hire licensed social workers or social workers with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an accredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1375614,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed under this chapter to use the title “Social Worker” in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses clarifying initials that signify receiving a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an accredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1375615,"text":"If a complaint or report of a possible violation of this section is made against any person who is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions, that complaint shall be referred to the applicable board within the Department for disciplinary action. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1375616,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. Part 483 may practice as a “qualified social worker” in any licensed nursing home using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title “social worker” in connection with the activities of the nursing home.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1375617,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. § 418.114(b)(3) may practice as a “social worker” in any licensed hospice using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title “social worker” in connection with the activities of the hospice.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1375618,"text":"That nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the Department of Social Services, or any other entity, to hire licensed social workers or social workers with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an accredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52559,"edition_id":2,"name":"Social Work","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52558,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:00:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:17","permalink":{"id":1471069,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52559,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1","url":"\/54.1\/III\/37\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52558,"edition_id":2,"name":"Social Work","identifier":"37","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":18,"parent_id":52479,"metadata":{"child_laws":15,"child_structures":3},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:00:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:17","permalink":{"id":1471067,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52558,"identifier":"37","token":"54.1\/III\/37","url":"\/54.1\/III\/37\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52479,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52436,"metadata":{"child_laws":738,"child_structures":83},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:00","permalink":{"id":1468107,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52479,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52436,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":118,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1282,"child_structures":163},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:58:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:51","permalink":{"id":1466315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52436,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":368877,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3700","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-3700\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3700","metadata":false},{"id":368878,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3701","catch_line":"Exemption from requirements of licensure","url":"\/54.1-3701\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3701","metadata":false},{"id":368879,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3702","catch_line":"Administration or prescription of drugs not permitted","url":"\/54.1-3702\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3702","metadata":false},{"id":368880,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3703","catch_line":"Board of Social Work; members","url":"\/54.1-3703\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3703","metadata":false},{"id":368881,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3704","catch_line":"Nominations","url":"\/54.1-3704\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3704","metadata":false},{"id":368882,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3705","catch_line":"Specific powers and duties of the Board","url":"\/54.1-3705\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3705","metadata":false},{"id":368883,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3706","catch_line":"License required","url":"\/54.1-3706\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3706","metadata":false},{"id":368885,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3707","catch_line":"Licenses continued","url":"\/54.1-3707\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3707","metadata":false},{"id":368884,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3707.1","catch_line":"Educational requirements","url":"\/54.1-3707.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3707.1","metadata":false},{"id":368886,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3708","catch_line":"Continuing education requirements","url":"\/54.1-3708\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3708","metadata":false},{"id":368891,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3709","catch_line":"Unlawful designation as social worker","url":"\/54.1-3709\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3709","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":368886,"structure_id":52559,"section_number":"54.1-3708","catch_line":"Continuing education requirements","url":"\/54.1-3708\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3708","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3709\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2011. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 794<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1471111,"object_type":"law","relational_id":368891,"identifier":"54.1-3709","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3709","url":"\/54.1-3709\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3709\/","token":"54.1\/III\/37\/1\/54.1-3709","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unlawful designation as social worker","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3709","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed under this chapter to use the title “Social Worker<\/span>” in writing or in advertising in connection with his practice unless he simultaneously uses clarifying initials that signify receiving a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an accredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If a complaint or report of a possible violation of this section is made against any person who is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate licensure privilege<\/span> issued by any of the health regulatory boards<\/span> within the Department of Health Professions, that complaint shall be referred to the applicable board<\/span> within the Department for disciplinary action. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. Part 483 may practice as a “qualified social worker<\/span>” in any licensed nursing home using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title “social worker<\/span>” in connection with the activities of the nursing home. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the qualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. § 418.114(b)(3) may practice as a “social worker<\/span>” in any licensed hospice using such title. However, any such individual may only use the title “social worker<\/span>” in connection with the activities of the hospice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> That nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the Department of Social Services, or any other entity, to hire licensed social workers<\/span> or social workers<\/span> with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an accredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctorate in social work. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNLAWFUL DESIGNATION AS SOCIAL WORKER (\u00a7 54.1-3709)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed under this chapter to use\nthe title “Social Worker” in writing or in advertising in connection\nwith his practice unless he simultaneously uses clarifying initials that signify\nreceiving a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an\naccredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work\nEducation or a doctorate in social work.\n\nB. If a complaint or report of a possible violation of this section is made\nagainst any person who is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who\nholds a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory\nboards within the Department of Health Professions, that complaint shall be\nreferred to the applicable board within the Department for disciplinary action.\nA violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the\nqualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. Part 483 may practice as a\n“qualified social worker” in any licensed nursing home using such\ntitle. However, any such individual may only use the title “social\nworker” in connection with the activities of the nursing home.\n\nD. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any individual meeting the\nqualifications provided for in 42 C.F.R. § 418.114(b)(3) may practice as a\n“social worker” in any licensed hospice using such title. However,\nany such individual may only use the title “social worker” in\nconnection with the activities of the hospice.\n\nE. That nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the Department of\nSocial Services, or any other entity, to hire licensed social workers or social\nworkers with a baccalaureate or master’s degree in social work from an\naccredited social work school or program approved by the Council on Social Work\nEducation or a doctorate in social work.\n\nHISTORY: 2011, c. 794.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}