Understanding LPC Rules and Social Work Rules With Dr. Ashley Stephens Durbin, LCSW-S

As a licensed counselor, staying on top of the latest LPC rules and social work rules is not just a good idea—it’s essential to your practice. Whether you’re a seasoned Licensed Professional Counselor (or other licensed mental health provider), a supervisor, or someone new to the field, changes in regulations can affect how you manage your clients, document your work, and navigate ethical dilemmas. That’s why I teamed up with Dr. Ashley Stephens LCSW-S, an expert in Social Work rules and regulations, to discuss the most important updates for 2024.

Let’s dive into what’s new and what you need to know to stay compliant in your counseling practice!

TCCBB #105: Understanding LPC Rules and Social Work Rules With Dr. Ashley Stephens, LCSW-S

The 2024 Updates From An Expert in Social Work Rules and Regulations

When we kicked off our discussion, Dr. Stephens and I focused on the recent changes in LPC and social work rules. As many of you know, the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) oversees licensed professionals in Texas, including counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. And let me tell you, BHEC has been busy!

Dr. Stephens summed it up perfectly: “The four-year rules review is happening right now, and we’re likely to see some changes in the next six months or so.” These changes come after ongoing updates, and it’s important to stay on top of them to ensure your practice remains compliant.

One key change for social workers is the emphasis on continuing education (CE) requirements. Now you don't have to juggle extra hours for LCSW supervision.  Your LCSW supervision CEs are counted within your 30-hour requirement. “You don’t have to do supervision on top of the 30 hours; it’s inclusive,” Dr. Stephens explained.

This streamlines the process, but don’t forget that half of your CEs must come from an approved provider type! Consider these CE webinars if you're looking for engaging CE opportunities.

Negligence: What Every LPC and Social Worker Should Know

One of the major points we discussed was the concept of negligence and how it relates to LPC and social work rules. If you’re a counselor, you need to understand that negligence happens when there’s a breach of duty—either by action or omission—that leads to harm.

Dr. Stephens laid it out clearly: “If you're a supervisor, your paperwork is your duty. If you mess that up, it's negligence.” Whether you failed to report a serious issue to Child Protective Services (CPS) or breached confidentiality, any action or inaction that results in harm could put you in a tough spot legally.

LPC and social work rules around negligence are strict. Negligence includes everything from breaking federal laws like HIPAA to violating ethical codes. For LPCs t’s important to know that the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics isn’t a law, but it is a standard for best practices. This means even if something isn’t directly in the LPC regulations, it can still be considered best practice in the field.

Understanding LPC and Social Work Regulations: CE Changes and Best Practices

The changes in LPC regulations for continuing education (CE) have made things a little easier, but there’s still some confusion about the requirements. For example, Texas now allows LPC Associates to accrue hours in more flexible settings, and there are fewer restrictions on where they can practice.

Dr. Stephens shared a helpful reminder for social workers: “Back in 2017-2019, we had these hard limits on technology use for supervision, but those have been lifted.”

That said, if you’re a LPC supervisor, you need to be very clear about your role. Supervisors required to keep detailed records and ensure that their LPC Associates are properly documenting their hours. One of the more confusing aspects of the LPC rules is how supervision and self-employment interact, but we broke it down clearly: You need a record of acknowledgement in the LPC Associate file if they’re self-employed.

So, if you’re supervising LPC Associates, make sure you’re keeping thorough documentation of their hours, particularly when they are practicing in a self-employed setting. And if you're reading this and even considering becoming an LPC supervisor, make sure you choose the right online supervision course for your needs.

Breaking Down the Fine Print: 2024 LPC and Social Work Rules

A major change for 2024 is the clarification of what counts as “face-to-face” continuing education. During the height of COVID-19, there was confusion about whether online meetings could count for in-person CEs. It's important to know that even online sessions like this one can qualify as face-to-face continuing education. So, if you’ve been stressing about signing up for in-person conferences, take a breath—you’re covered.

Here’s where it gets tricky: the rules about CE providers. “You need to make sure 50% of your CEs are from a certain type of provider,” Dr. Stephens warned. If you attend a presentation, webinar, or course, it’s crucial to confirm that the provider is one of the provider types listed in the rules. This is where the 50% rule comes in. At least half of your continuing education hours must come from an approved provider type.

In addition, LPCs and social workers should know that certain topics are non-negotiable. You need to complete ethics and cultural competence training as part of your CEs. “Three hours of cultural competence training is required now,” Dr. Stephens noted. “It’s not something you can opt out of.” These updated LPC and Social Work rules and regulations ensure that practitioners are equipped to work with diverse populations ethically and effectively.

How to Stay Informed on LPC and Social Work Rules and Changes

One of the most important takeaways from our conversation was the need for counselors to stay updated on LPC and Social Work rules. Luckily, BHEC has made this easier than ever. “Sign up for emails from BHEC,” Dr. Stephens emphasized. “The board has gotten really good about keeping everyone up to date with changes.”

In addition to emails, BHEC offers other resources to keep you informed. Their website is a goldmine of information! You can find anything from downloadable PDFs to lunch-and-learn sessions where you can hear directly from board members and attorneys. These events are a great opportunity to ask questions about confusing LPC and social work regulations and get real-time answers.

Don't forget to join a professional organization like the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) or the Texas Supervisor Coalition. They’re great resources for getting up-to-date information and navigating the bureaucracy that can sometimes slow things down.

Navigating the overlap between different boards requires clear, compliant systems. We offer Social Work Supervisor training designed to help you master these rules while protecting your professional license.

Wrapping Up: What’s Next for LPC and Social Work Regulations?

Looking ahead, Dr. Stephens and I both anticipate more changes to LPC and social work rules, particularly as the four-year rules review continues. The key takeaway? Stay proactive. Whether you’re signing up for CEs, updating your supervision practices, or simply staying informed, keeping up with LPC and social work regulations is crucial to maintaining your licensure and practicing ethically.

“Don’t wait until the last minute to renew your license or update your records,” she warned. “You want to make sure you have everything in order before any major changes take effect.”

So, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, 2024 brings important updates that every counselor needs to know. Keep an eye on changes and stay compliant with LPC and social work rules and regulations. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions. After all, we’re all in this together, and the more informed we are, the better we can serve our clients!

Staying current on LPC and social work rules isn’t just about following the law, friends. It’s about ensuring that we are providing the best care possible to our clients. By understanding the latest LPC and social work regulations and staying on top of continuing education, we can continue to grow as professionals and support the well-being of those we serve.

Action Items:

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