Iowa Code § 154C.6 (2026)
Transition provisions — exemption from certain license requirements
Notwithstanding section 154C.3, the board shall issue a license as a bachelor social worker, master social worker, or independent social worker to an applicant applying for a license prior to July 1, 1998, who meets the following requirements in addition to paying all fees required by the board:
1. Bachelor social worker. An applicant for a license as a bachelor social worker shall present evidence satisfactory to the board of either of the following:
a. That the applicant possesses a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the board.
b. That the applicant possesses an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and has four thousand hours of employment experience in the practice of social work.
2. Master social worker. An applicant for a license as a master social worker shall present evidence satisfactory to the board of any of the following:
a. That the applicant possesses a master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the board.
b. That the applicant possesses a graduate degree from an accredited college or university and has four thousand hours of employment experience in the practice of social work.
c. That the applicant is employed performing master level social work duties as defined in\n\nTue Dec 09 22:25:14 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 154C (25, 0) §154C.6, SOCIAL WORK 4\n\nsection 154C.1, subsection 3, paragraph “b”, as of July 1, 1996, and has four thousand hours of employment experience in the practice of social work as of July 1, 1998.
3. Independent social worker. An applicant for a license as an independent social worker shall present evidence satisfactory to the board of either of the following:
a. That the applicant possesses a valid license to practice social work pursuant to this chapter issued prior to July 1, 1996.
b. That the applicant possesses a master’s or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited college or university approved by the board and has two years or four thousand hours of postgraduate degree employment experience in the practice of social work. 96 Acts, ch 1035, §10 \n