Scott Stephens

South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners

Term ends: November 2027

Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:

I have served as the public member of the SC Board of Social Work Examiners for 14 years and am serving as the vice-chair of our state board this year. I began my career in non-profit work in 1999, starting a home for abused and neglected children. I subsequently pursued an MA in pastoral counseling at the request of my board of directors, I have since received a second masters degree, and a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling. Over the years, I have served as both an executive director and a development officer for several human-services not-for-profit organizations. I currently serve as a major gifts officer for the University of South Carolina Upstate. I also serve as a bi-vocational pastor, and as an adjunct professor.

Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:

I began serving on the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners in 2010. I became aware of ASWB when I attended my first ASWB training event in 2011. Over the years I have represented the South Carolina board as a delegate at the Delegate Assembly many times. In 2024 I was invited to fill an unexpired term on the Board of ASWB as a public member.

Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:

I foresee the need for a continued focus on the protection of the public as various entities evaluate moving in a direction that would limit or eliminate license requirements for social workers. For the protection of the public, all social workers should be licensed.

As a public member of the Board of Directors, I will work with each of the Board members and committees to ensure that the public is protected from legislative decisions that weaken the standards of competency that social workers need to practice ethically, and professionally.

Additionally, every Board member should exemplify respect, accountability, integrity, service, and excellence in every way. This Board of Directors embodies these traits, and as a member of the Board, I commit to do the same.