Las Vegas Social Worker License Defense

Understanding The Nevada Board Of Examiners For Social Workers 

To regulate licensing, investigate complaints, and administer discipline for licensed social workers, each state has its own licensing board. If you are licensed in Nevada, you must comply with and report to the Nevada Board Of Examiners For Social Workers.

Moreover, although each state is responsible for regulating licensed social workers, all social work licensing boards in the US are connected to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), a non-profit organization that establishes uniform licensing standards and examinations for social workers across the nation. This means that while the requirements for obtaining a license differ by state, the codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures are relatively alike throughout the states, as supported by the ASWB.

Potential Violations Of The Social Work Practice Act

Each state has its own set of regulations that complement the standards set by the ASWB. A breach of either the board regulations or public trust could lead to loss of license. Some common examples of violations that could endanger your social work license include:

• Acting outside the scope of your license. Social workers are divided into different licensing levels in most states and each level has specific limitations. Violating the limitations of your license can result in losing it.
• Unprofessional conduct. This term covers a wide range of actions that may be considered unethical, immoral, or mistreatment of patients.
• Criminal convictions. Being found guilty of specific criminal offenses, especially those related to ethics, can put your architecture license at risk. The standards for this vary among states, with some states disqualifying architects with a felony conviction, and other states revoking licenses for any type of conviction.
• Substance abuse. The board may suspend or revoke your license if you have a drug or alcohol addiction that could affect your ability to help others properly.
• Fraud. Submitting false bills to insurance companies, particularly for your own services, can be evidence of fraud and lead to the revocation of your license.
• Moral turpitude/gross immorality. Engaging in highly immoral behaviors such as sexual harassment or inappropriate relationships with colleagues or patients can result in the revocation of one’s license.
• Permitting an unlicensed person to perform licensed work. Allowing an unlicensed colleague or employee to perform social work that is only meant to be done by licensed individuals could result in the loss of your own right to practice.

What Other Sanctions Could I Face Besides Loss Of License?

Your social worker’s license may not be revoked for every offense as the licensing boards have discretion in deciding on other types of disciplinary actions or sanctions that would enable you to still practice. This is why it’s so important to have a skilled Las Vegas social worker license defense lawyer in your corner. For instance, these may involve:

• License suspension. Depending on the circumstances, you may be temporarily or permanently prohibited from practicing. However, there may be an opportunity for you to be reinstated in the future.
• Fines. The board may penalize you financially.
• Probation. You may be placed on probation for a specific period of time and allowed to continue your practice with certain conditions.
• Limitations on licensure. Your license may have restrictions imposed by the board for specific activities or services.
• Continuing education requirements. If the reason for the violation is believed to be due to a lack of education on your part, the board may ask you to take specific CE courses to make up for that gap.
• Formal reprimand or censure. If you receive a written reprimand from the board, it will be made a part of your public record.

Violations Of The Social Work Practice Act

If it is found that someone has violated the SWPA, the Board has the authority to take various actions. These may include denying a license to someone who is applying for Nevada licensure, imposing fines or reprimanding current licensees, placing a licensee on probation, or suspending or revoking the license of an applicant or licensee. Some examples of SWPA violations include, but are not limited to:

• Practicing social work without a valid Nevada license;
• Having a romantic relationship with a current or former client or patient;
• Having any form of sexual contact with a current or former client or patient;
• Failing to report child sexual or physical abuse;
• Failing to keep appropriate client or patient records;
• Socializing with clients or patients; and
• Billing an insurance company for services that were not rendered.

Obtaining and protecting a social work license in Nevada can be challenging due to the various regulations that govern them. Social workers must strictly follow these regulations to maintain compliance and their license. If you’re facing allegations against your license, contact our Las Vegas social worker license defense lawyer as soon as possible.