Michigan Board of Social Work

The Michigan Board of Social Workers was created under Article 16 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended, the Occupational Code, to register social workers in Michigan. Public Act 11 of 2000 transferred the Board of Social Work, and its authority, to the Public Health Code, Public Act 368 of 1978, as amended. Social Work is defined as the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to counseling or to helping an individual, family, group, or community to enhance or restore the capacity for social functioning and/or provide, obtain, or improve tangible social and health services. The Public Health Code mandates certain responsibilities and duties for a health professional licensing board. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. The Board implements this responsibility by ascertaining minimal entry level competency of health practitioners. The Board also has the obligation to take disciplinary action against licensees who have adversely affected the public's health, safety, and welfare.