Adele Natter

Many people have expressed interest in how the DC Board of Social Work would change license requirements during the current pandemic. The Board met remotely on Monday, April 27, and discussed changes to its policies. The temporarily-revised policies are now posted on the website of the DC Board, in the Policy Guides and Statements section. Licensees are encouraged to check the website now for important details which may affect your practice. Keep an eye out for additional updates, particularly as DC’s State of Emergency regulations change.

Telehealth policy:

Social workers can practice using audio, visual, and telephone, as long as they practice within ethical and HIPAA standards of care. This policy will be in place until 12/31/2020, at which time it will be reconsidered.

Licensure Waivers during Covid-19:

Practitioners who are licensed in good standing in other jurisdictions may continue to serve clients who are in the District during Emergency conditions.

LGSWs in Private Practice:

LGSWs working toward advanced licensure may not practice independently, but can practice in another’s agency or private practice. An LGSW must be supervised by an LICSW.

CE Requirements for current License Renewal period:

For the current licensure period (ending July 31, 2021), the Board will accept online training, including pre-recorded offerings. Specific requirements for CE hours of ethics, LGBTQ, and public health issue trainings remain, but none need to be face-to-face.

The next meeting of the DC Board will be June 22nd.

Adele Natter, LICSW, Co-Chairs  the GWSCSW Legislation & Advocacy Committee for DC with Margot Aronson, LICSW. Adele has been an active participant on the Committee for the past four years; she represented GWSCSW on a Board of Social Work sub-committee, which included NASW and CSWA representatives.  Adele maintains a private practice focused on helping individuals with anger and emotional regulation issues. She is also a Clinical Instructor in the Psychiatry Residency Program of the George Washington University Medical School. She holds a BA in Psychology from UCLA and received her MSW from the University of Maryland.