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HB 451

Doctor of Social Work degree; education requirements for licensure.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rod Willett

HB 451 establishes Virginia licensure requirements for Doctor of Social Work degree holders, creating a new advanced credential pathway for social work practitioners.

Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (10-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 451

Legislative bill overview

HB 451 would establish education requirements for licensure as a Doctor of Social Work in Virginia, likely creating a new licensure pathway for social workers with doctoral degrees. The bill was prefiled in January 2026 and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee, where it was assigned to a Health Professions subcommittee.

Why is this important

Social work licensure directly affects who can practice clinical social work and bill insurance for services in Virginia. This bill could expand professional credentials available to advanced social workers, potentially affecting scope of practice, insurance reimbursement, and public access to doctoral-level social work services in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice clarity: Whether a Doctor of Social Work degree creates distinct clinical authority or overlaps with existing Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials
  • Education and experience requirements: The balance between academic credentials (doctoral degree) and clinical hours/supervised practice needed for licensure
  • Consumer protection concerns: Whether new licensure categories adequately protect the public and ensure practitioners meet competency standards, or whether existing licenses are sufficient

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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