How Does a Criminal Conviction Affect a Social Worker License in Pennsylvania?

To become a Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania, you must have a four-year college degree, a master’s degree is preferred, and pass a challenging licensing examination. The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors regulates the licensing and conduct of Licensed Social Workers in Pennsylvania.  Being a Licensed Social Worker is a very demanding, thankless, at times upsetting and rewarding profession; it is one that takes an immense amount of compassion, empathy, and patience while providing an extraordinary service to families. Since it is not easy to become a Licensed Social Worker, and it is a great profession, why risk your Social Worker License and hard work making a foolish mistake, such as a DUI conviction?  So: How Does a Criminal Conviction Affect a Social Worker License in Pennsylvania? 

At Shane Weaver Law, we understand the dire consequences of losing your Social Worker License, such as threatening your ability to work and provide for yourself and your family.  If you are in danger of losing your Social Worker License through action by the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors, you will need an experienced, trusted, and aggressive lawyer at your side to advocate on your behalf.  Shane Weaver Law will provide you with that needed advocacy and legal defense. 

Pennsylvania Social Worker License Regulation 

State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors regulates the licensing of Social Workers through the Social Workers, Marriage, and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act of Jul. 9, 1987, P.L. 220, No. 39.  The Law Applies To:

• Social Workers
• Clinical Social Workers
• Bachelor Social Workers
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Professional Counselors 

Pennsylvania Social Worker License and Criminal Convictions

Crime of Moral Turpitude 

The Social Workers Act first requires all license applicants to possess “Good Moral Character.”  It further states that a license can be denied or suspended if convicted of a felony or a crime of Moral Turpitude in any state or Federal court or being convicted of the equivalent of a felony in any foreign country, territory, or possession. This requirement includes any action in which Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) resolved the criminal charges.  A “Crime of MORAL TURPITUDE” includes most felony convictions for crimes such as Murder, Arson, Kidnapping, Burglary, or Rape, and will undoubtedly prevent you from obtaining or result in a loss of your Social Worker License.  As will any conviction for all levels of sexual offenses and offenses involving harm to children. Crimes for theft can also result in a license denial or suspension.  These crimes call into question a person’s morals, ethics, character, and judgment.

Drug Offenses

The Act explicitly states, an applicant cannot have been convicted of a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act unless: (i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction; (ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrated to the Board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations. 

Mandatory Reporter

As a licensed Social Worker, Therapist, or Counselor, you are considered a MANDATORY REPORTER in Pennsylvania regarding suspected child abuse.  If you fail to uphold the duties and requirements of a MANDATORY REPORTER, you will face criminal charges and consequences, as well as the loss of your job and medical license.

Pennsylvania Licensed Social Worker and DUI Conviction 

Per the language and requirements placed upon a Pennsylvania Licensed Social Worker, a DUI conviction can have a devastating impact in terms of obtaining your Social Worker License and keeping it.  Pennsylvania Licensed Social Workers are required to be of “high moral character” and must disclose and face suspension if convicted of a “crime of moral turpitude.”  Therefore, a Licensed Social Worker must disclose a DUI conviction to the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors.  The Board reviews these matters on a case by case basis as the circumstances leading to the conviction can be for numerous reasons.  The Board is most concerned with the presence of an alcohol or substance abuse issue.  A DUI conviction before obtaining a Social Worker License must be disclosed and will undoubtedly make getting a Social Worker License more difficult and scrutinized.  An investigation by the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors can result in probation, a suspension, or termination of your Pennsylvania Social Worker License. 

A DUI conviction, as well as other serious crimes, will cause the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors to call into question your judgment, character, fitness, and ability to serve the public as a Licensed Social Worker.  The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors demands a high ethical and moral standard, given the nature of social work. 

You may be able to avoid putting your Social Worker License at risk if you hire an experienced DUI and Licensed Social Workers License Defense Attorney such. Shane Weaver Law can aggressively advocate for your entry into the ARD Diversion Program if the DUI is your first offense. The ARD program will avoid a conviction and allow you to expunge the DUI arrest from your record.  The ARD program can act to prevent a Social Worker License suspension.