Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 59-1256.1

A. The State Board of Licensed Social Workers shall be

responsible for the control and regulation of the practice of social

work in this state and shall conduct its business in accordance with

the Administrative Procedures Act. The Board’s authority includes,

but is not limited to, the following:

1. The licensing by examination or by reciprocity of applicants

who are qualified to engage in the practice of social work under the

provisions of this act;

2. The renewal of licenses to engage in the practice of social

work;

3. The establishment and enforcement of compliance with

professional standards of practice and rules of conduct of social

workers engaged in the practice of social work;

4. The determination and issuance of standards for recognition

and approval of degree programs of schools and colleges of social

work whose graduates may be eligible for licensure in this state,

and the specification and enforcement of requirements for practical

training;

5. The investigation of any activities related to the practice

or unauthorized practice of social work. In conducting such

investigations, the Board shall have the power to subpoena and to

bring before it any person and to take testimony either orally or by

deposition, or both, in the same manner as prescribed in civil cases

in the courts of this state. Any member of the Board, hearing

officer, or administrative law judge shall have power to administer

oaths to witnesses at any hearing which the Board is authorized to

conduct. Following such investigation, the Board may suspend,

revoke or restrict licenses to engage in the practice of social

work;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations Page 965

6. With probable cause that an applicant or licensee has

engaged in conduct prohibited by this act or a rule promulgated by

the Board, the issuance of a request that the applicant or licensee

submit to a mental or physical examination or chemical dependency

evaluation. If the applicant or licensee refuses to submit to the

examination or evaluation, the Board shall issue an order requiring

the licensee or applicant to show cause why he or she will not

submit to the examination and shall schedule a hearing on the order

within thirty (30) days after notice is served on the applicant or

licensee by personal service or certified mail. At the hearing, the

applicant or licensee and the applicant or licensee’s attorney are

entitled to present any testimony to show why the applicant or

licensee should not be required to submit to the examination. After

a complete hearing, the Board shall issue an order either requiring

the applicant or licensee to submit to the examination or

withdrawing the request for the examination. The license in

question may be suspended until the results of the examination are

received and reviewed by the Board;

7. The collection of professional demographic data;

8. The issuance of licenses of all persons engaged in the

practice of social work;

9. The inspection of any licensed person, at all reasonable

hours, for the purpose of determining if any provisions of the laws

governing the practice of social work are being violated. The

Board, its officers, inspectors, and representatives shall cooperate

with all agencies charged with the enforcement of the laws of the

United States, of this state, and of all other states relating to

the practice of social work;

10. The promulgation of such rules as may be deemed necessary

by the Board for the proper administration and enforcement of this

act in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act;

11. The administration of examinations for licensure pursuant

to the following:

a. any examination for licensure required under this act

shall be given by the Board at least two times during

each year. The Board shall determine the content and

subject matter of each examination and the place,

time, and date of administration of the examination,

and
e with the Administrative Procedures Act;

11. The administration of examinations for licensure pursuant

to the following:

a. any examination for licensure required under this act

shall be given by the Board at least two times during

each year. The Board shall determine the content and

subject matter of each examination and the place,

time, and date of administration of the examination,

and

b. the examination shall be prepared to measure the

competence of the applicant to engage in the relevant

practice of social work. The Board may employ,

cooperate, and contract with any organization or

consultant in the preparation, administration and

grading of an examination, but shall retain the sole

discretion and responsibility for determining which

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations Page 966

applicants have successfully passed such an

examination;

12. The establishment of such requirements for supervised

practice or any other experiential program necessary to qualify an

applicant for any licensure examination under this act, including

determination of the qualifications of supervisors used in

supervision programs;

13. The acquisition of a membership in such professional

organizations and associations organized exclusively to promote the

improvement of the standards of the practice of social work for the

protection of the health and welfare of the public or whose

activities assist and facilitate the work of the Board;

14. The establishment of a “Bill of Rights” for clients

concerning the services a client may expect in regard to social work

services; and

15. In addition to the fees specifically provided for in this

act, the establishment of fees including, but not limited to, the

following:

a. issuance of duplicate certificates or identification

cards,

b. copies of any documents,

c. certification of documents, and

d. issuance of licenses by reciprocity.