K.S.A. » Chapter 65
Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 65-6319 (2026)

Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders by certain licensed social workers authorized

✓ current as of May 2026
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65-6319. Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders by certain licensed social workers authorized. The following licensed social workers may diagnose and treat mental disorders specified in the edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders of the American psychiatric association designated by the board by rules and regulations: (a) A licensed specialist clinical social worker, and (b) a licensed master social worker who engages in the practice of social work only under the direction of a licensed specialist clinical social worker, a licensed psychologist, a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or a person licensed to provide mental health services as an independent practitioner and whose licensure allows for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. When a client has symptoms of a mental disorder, a licensed master social worker shall consult with the client's primary care physician or psychiatrist to determine if there may be a medical condition or medication that may be causing or contributing to the client's symptoms of a mental disorder. A client may request in writing that such consultation be waived and such request shall be made a part of the client's record. A licensed master social worker may continue to evaluate and treat the client until such time that the medical consultation is obtained or waived.

History: L. 1994, ch. 164, § 1; L. 1997, ch. 142, § 7; L. 1999, ch. 117, § 16; July 1, 2000.

CASE ANNOTATIONS

1. Licensed specialist clinical social workers are qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorder; Willis, 256 Kan. 837, clarified. Welch v. State, 270 Kan. 229, 13 P.3d 882 (2000).

2. The testimony of a social worker regarding the cause of a suicide is not barred. Burnette v. Eubanks, 52 Kan App. 2d 751, 764, 379 P.3d 372 (2016).


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www.ksrevisor.gov 2026
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 2000–2018 · leading case: Burnette v. Eubanks, 379 P.3d 372 (Kan. Ct. App. 2016).
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Burnette v. Eubanks, 379 P.3d 372 (Kan. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 8× “Eubanks argues the testimony was prohibited under K.S.A. 65-6319. We view this as a matter of trial court discretion.”
Welch v. State, 13 P.3d 882 (Kan. 2000). · cites it 7× ““The State argues that the present case is distinguishable from Willis because K.S.A. 1999 Supp. 65-6319 gives licensed specialist social workers authority to diagnose mental disorders.”
State v. Gaona, 270 P.3d 1165 (Kan. 2012). “Robbins is not a psychiatrist or a psychologist or a social worker authorized by K.S.A. 65-6319 or a family therapist authorized by *948 K.”
In Re Adoption/Guardianship No. CCJ14746, 759 A.2d 755 (Md. 2000). “20/3; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-6319 ; La.Rev.Stat. Ann.”
Burnette v. Eubanks, 425 P.3d 343 (2018). “They also argued the district court misread Wozniak to create a "suicide exception" to the expert testimony requirement for proving medical malpractice causation.”
— K.S.A. § 65-6319(a) — 1 case
Welch v. State, 13 P.3d 882 (Kan. 2000). ““The State argues that the present case is distinguishable from Willis because K.S.A. 1999 Supp. 65-6319 gives licensed specialist social workers authority to diagnose mental disorders.”
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