The social workers professional standards committee of the counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapist board shall issue a certificate of registration as a social work assistant to each applicant who submits a properly completed application, pays the fee established under section 4757.31 of the Revised Code, and holds from an accredited educational institution an associate degree in social service technology or a bachelor’s degree that is equivalent to an associate degree in social service technology or a related bachelor’s or higher degree that is approved by the committee.