APPLICATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS.

(a) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) an activity conducted or a service performed by a person who is licensed, certified, or registered in a profession other than social work, including a physician, attorney, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, psychologist, occupational therapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed chemical dependency counselor, or licensed professional counselor, if:

(A) the activity or service is conducted or performed within the scope of the person's license, certificate, or registration;

(B) the person does not use a title listed in Section 505.351; and

(C) the person does not:

(i) represent the service as social work;

(ii) represent that the person is a social worker; or

(iii) use a title that implies that the person is licensed in social work;

(2) a service performed by a person as a volunteer or staff member if the person does not:

(A) represent the service as social work;

(B) represent the person as a social worker; or

(C) use a title that implies that the person is licensed in social work;

(3) an activity conducted by a social work student, intern, or trainee in connection with an institution of higher education accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or

(4) an activity conducted or a service performed by a pastoral care counselor who is acting within the person's ministerial capabilities and who does not use a title that implies that the counselor is licensed in social work, including:

(A) a Christian Science practitioner who is recognized by the Church of Christ Scientist as registered and published in the Christian Science Journal; and

(B) any other recognized religious practitioner.

(b) This chapter does not require a public agency or private employer, including a nonprofit corporation, to employ a person licensed under this chapter.

(c) A person who teaches social work at an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, is not required to hold a license under this chapter to the extent the person confines the person's activities to teaching and does not otherwise engage in the practice of social work.