Concerns substitution of work experience for certain requirements to obtain licensure and certification in social work.

Bill S 1161 allows New Jersey's State Board of Social Work Examiners to permit applicants to seek licensure as a clinical social worker, social worker, or certified social worker without taking an exam. It directly affects individuals seeking social work licenses who can demonstrate equivalent education and work experience through documented records. The bill requires applicants to submit educational and experiential records, and the board must determine if their background meets competency standards for the specific license. This creates an alternative pathway to traditional exam-based licensure under the Social Workers’ Licensing Act of 1991.