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HB 271 · 2025 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

New licensing exam for social workers

AI-generated

relative to initial license requirements for licensed social work associates.

Replaces the national proctored examination requirement for initial licensure of social work associates with a uniform competence assessment examination approved by the board of mental health practice.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 21, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill changes the national proctored examination requirement for initial licensure for licensed social work associates to a uniform competence assessment examination of social work knowledge, skills, and abilities approved by the New Hampshire board of mental health practice.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Peter SchmidtDPrime

Public testimony

12 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As both the Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer of a NH-based Community Mental Healthcare Center, I can attest first-hand to the workforce shortage within the mental health sector.…”
— Melinda Asbury, MD, PhD, Keenesupports
“I write to you today with a deep concern for the future of public education in New Hampshire and urge you to oppose HB115. This bill threatens to bleed vital resources from our public schools, which serve as lifelines for our most vulnerable students and the bedrock of our communities.…”
— Hannah Bowler, Durhamopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0495h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0495hadopted
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0495hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration3:25:58–3:31:275m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 6, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration38:39–45:517m 12slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration6:38:00–6:45:387m 38slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0495h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0495h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration11:02–19:308m 28slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 13
  2. Jan 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/16/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 6, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/06/2025 01:30 pm LOB 302-304
  4. Feb 19, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/19/2025 02:31 pm LOB 306-308
  5. Feb 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/19/2025 02:31 pm LOB 306-308
  6. Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0495h 03/12/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 17 P. 18
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0495h: AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 31
  8. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0495h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 31
  9. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 10
  10. Apr 9, 2025SenHearing: 04/09/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:10 am; SC 16
  11. Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 17
  12. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  13. May 1, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 31
  14. May 1, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/01/2025); SJ 12
  15. May 14, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/14/2025; Chapter 26; eff.07/13/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.