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Please read the information below before filing your complaint. To download the complaint form, click here. Please refer to the NC Administrative Code, Ethical Guidelines when completing the Complaint Form.
The profession of social work encompasses a wide scope of practice that may or may not require certification or licensure by this Board. While clinical social work practice is protected and requires a license by this Board, nonclinical social work practice does not require a certificate or license.
Many social workers practice lawfully without being certified or licensed by this Board. Please check the License Lookup tab above to verify that the social worker is certified or licensed by this Board before initiating your complaint.
The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board is authorized to receive and investigate complaints against individuals who are certified or licensed by this Board, and allegations of violations of Social Worker Certification and Licensure Act [Chapter 90B of the North Carolina General Statutes] and Rules [Title 21 Chapter 63 of the North Carolina Administrative Code] governing social work practice in North Carolina. A complaint form may be obtained from the Board office or printed from the link above.
The Board may initiate its own complaint and conduct an investigation of a suspected violation if reasonable cause exists to believe a violation has occurred. For questions regarding the complaint process, please contact the Board office at 1-336-625-1679.
A Complaint may be filed by anyone who believes that a social worker certified or licensed by this Board has engaged in illegal or unethical activities related to his or her professional responsibilities. [We are working toward online submission of complaints in a manner that will allow for receipt of confidential information and hope to have that function operational soon.] In the interim, complaints must be submitted in writing. Please do not email complaint as the content is considered confidential.
Mail your complaint and supporting documentation to the following address:
P.O. Box 1043
Asheboro, NC 27204
Upon receipt, complaints will be reviewed to ensure that the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of this Board. The most effective complaints are those containing first hand, verifiable information.
The Board does not have the legal authority to withhold the identity of the complainant or anyone identified in this complaint from the social worker. If the outcome results in a public finding, the Board can only withhold from public disclosure the identity of any client who has not consented to the public disclosure of social work services provided to him or her by the applicant, certificate holder, or licensee.
Upon receipt of a complaint, the social worker is provided with a copy of the complaint or notified of the details of the allegation(s) and advised to respond. The case is referred to a Subcommittee (consisting of at least two seated Board members) and is reviewed by the Subcommittee, designated Board staff, and the Board’s attorney, if indicated. A review of the complaint and response will determine if further investigation is needed. An investigator may be assigned to gather additional information and prepare a summary report for the Board review committee, who will determine how next to proceed.
The Board may, in accordance with Chapter 150B of the NC General Statutes, deny, suspend, or revoke an application, certificate or license; issue a reprimand or censure; order probation; require supervision; or otherwise limit the practice of a social worker upon proof that the applicant, certificate holder, or licensee has engaged in prohibited actions.
In cases where there is credible evidence to suggest that a violation may have occurred, the Board may seek to issue a Consent Order or schedule a disciplinary hearing and serve a notice of charges upon the individual against whom the complaint was made. Members of the Board review committee do not serve on the hearing panel for the disciplinary proceeding(s) for cases they have reviewed. In matters that proceed to a disciplinary hearing, witnesses may be called to come forward and provide testimony in support of the complaint. At the same time, the social worker under investigation, who may choose to be aided by his/her council, may present his/her evidence and defense.
Following the disciplinary hearing, or when the social worker requests to waive his/her right to a hearing in favor of a Consent Order, the Board will issue a final order.
Matters of complaint, the social worker’s response and information gathered in connection with the investigation of a complaint are confidential and protected from public disclosure. All final orders are public record.
Individuals who file a complaint are notified in writing of any actions taken as a result of the complaint.
P.O. Box 1043
Asheboro, NC 27204
1207 S. Cox Street, Suite F
Asheboro, NC 27203
Office: 336-625-1679
Fax: 336-625-4246
EMAIL US
This website is considered a primary source for North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (NCSWCLB) data. Credentialing information is current (updated in real time) and is the same information the Board provides through other means, such as telephone, fax, mail, or email.
All information provided by the NCSWCLB on this web site is made available as a service to the public. While every attempt is made to ensure that the information contained herein is both accurate and current, the Board makes no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content of this website or the content of any other website to which it may link. It is the responsibility of the user to assess the accuracy and reliability of the information obtained from this website; and the Board assumes no responsibility for, nor shall the Board be liable for errors contained herein or for any damages resulting from the use of information obtained from this website.
If you believe that information obtained from this site is inaccurate or out-of-date, or you encounter technical problems when using or accessing this site, please notify the Board’s Administrative Office
1207 S. Cox Street, Suite F
Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: 336-625-1679 Fax: 336-625-4246
P.O. Box 1043
Asheboro, NC 27204
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed