Mississippi Code

Miss. Code Ann. § 73-53-7 (2026)

Licensure as prerequisite to performance of services and use of certain titles or letters; grandfathering provisions; penalties for violating provisions of chapter

✓ current as of July 2026

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(1) A person, corporation, association or business entity shall not use, cause to be used or advertise in connection with that person's or party's name or the name or activity of the business the words, "social worker," "licensed social worker," "licensed master's social worker," "licensed certified social worker," "licensed clinical social worker," the letters "SW," "LSW," "LMSW," "LCSW" and/or any words, combination of words, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying directly or indirectly that social work services are provided or supplied unless those services are provided by a person holding a valid and current license issued under this chapter or under the supervision (as provided by board rule) of a licensed certified social worker with a valid and current license issued under this chapter.
A person who does not hold a valid and current license issued by the board shall not practice social work, nor advertise the performance of that practice.
A person or party who engages in or attempts to engage in the conduct described by this section is considered to be engaged in the practice of social work.

(2) Any person not licensed under this chapter on July 1, 1993, who is actively engaged in the practice of social work before July 1, 1994, as an employee of the State of Mississippi or any agency, political subdivision or municipality thereof or any community action agency or Head Start agency, and who is not eligible to be issued a license under subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a provisional license as a licensed social worker by the board, if the person applies for such provisional license before July 1, 1994, and, at the time that the application is made, the person is so actively engaged. The license shall be issued by the board upon application therefor, the submission of proof satisfactory to the board of the applicant's employment in the practice of social work as provided in this subsection, and the payment of the appropriate fee. Such license shall be valid for a maximum period of two (2) years, but not to extend past June 30, 1995, during which time the provisional licensee must pass the ASWB social work examination at the basic level.

(3) From and after July 1, 2001, any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for his first violation, One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the second violation, and Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the third and each subsequent violation.

Laws, 1987, ch. 421, § 4; Laws, 1993, ch. 498, § 2; Laws, 1994, ch. 368, § 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 565, § 2; Laws, 2001, ch. 421, § 2; Laws, 2011, ch. 462, § 4, eff. 7/1/2011.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 2000–2009 · leading case: Mississippi Dep't of Human Servs. v. McNeel, 10 So. 3d 444 (Miss. 2009).

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Mississippi Dep't of Human Servs. v. McNeel, 10 So. 3d 444 (Miss. 2009). · cites it 2× “See Miss.Code Ann. § 73-53-7 (Rev. 2008). The original order of the hearing officer, affirmed by this Court, provided that McNeel is “reinstated to her position, with back pay and benefits.”

Jane Student 1 v. Williams, 206 F.R.D. 306 (S.D. Ala. 2002). “02(g); Miss.Code Ann. §§ 73-53-7, -29; Mo. Ann. Stat.”

Mississippi State Dep't of Health Div. of Prof'l Licensure v. Zachary, 764 So. 2d 518 (Miss. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 6× “The Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Professional Licensure, appeals the Circuit Court of Leflore County’s decision to reinstate Levern Zachary’s regular social work license under the “grandfather” provision of Miss.Code Ann. § 73-53-7 (Rev.1995) without…”

Mississippi Dep't of Human Servs. v. Carolyn K. McNeel (Miss. 2007). · cites it 2× “See Miss. Code Ann. § 73-53-7 (Rev. 2008). The original order of the hearing officer, affirmed by this Court, provided that McNeel is “reinstated to her position, with back pay and benefits .”

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