(a)        Applicants who were engaged in the practice of social work before January 1, 1984, shall be exempt from the academic qualifications required by this act for certified social workers and certified social work managers and shall be certified upon passing the Board examination and meeting the experience requirements, if any, for certification of persons in that classification.

(b)        The following may engage in clinical social work practice without meeting the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90B-7(d):

(1)        Repealed by Session Laws 2007-379, s. 4, effective August 19, 2007.

(2)        A student completing a clinical requirement for graduation while pursuing a course of study in social work in an institution accredited by or in candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education.

(3)        Repealed by Session Laws 2007-379, s. 4, effective August 19, 2007.

(c)        Notwithstanding N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90B-4 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90B-16, any individual who is employed by an agency of a local or State governmental entity, and who is in a position holding the title of “Social Worker” or any variation of the name, and whose position title is derived from the Office of State Human Resources Classification Specifications may use the title “Social Worker” or any variation of the title. This includes persons in such positions in counties whose classification and compensation systems have been certified as substantially equivalent by the State Human Resources Commission and persons serving in such positions in Human Services agencies created by counties pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-77 ?(1983, c. 495, s. 1; 1991, c. 732, s. 5; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 745, s. 38.1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 24.11; 1997-443, s. 11.31; 2007-379, s. 4; 2009-88, s. 2; 2013-382, s. 9.1(c); 2019-240, s. 10(a).)