Interstate Licensure Compact FAQ

What is an interstate licensure compact?

An interstate compact is a legal contract between two or more states/territories enabling practitioners (in this case, social workers) to practice in each other’s jurisdiction, once practitioners demonstrate they meet the compact requirements.

What are the advantages of the social work compact?

The compact eliminates barriers to practice and increases access to care (especially in areas that are underserved, geographically isolated or lack specialty care) by increasing the efficiency of becoming licensed across state/territory lines. Currently, social workers must seek a separate license in each state/territory in which they wish to practice, which can be labor- and time-intensive. A compact creates a more efficient processing system, while also protecting public safety. Other benefits include:

• Facilitating interstate/territory telemental health
• Improving continuity of care when clients travel or relocate
• Encouraging cooperation among compact member states/territories in regulating the practice of social work
• Preserving and strengthening state licensure systems

How is information shared between states/territories regarding practitioners?

States/territories participating in the compact will use a shared data system which will enable them to verify instantaneously that social workers have met the requirements to practice under the compact and are in good standing with other state/territorial regulatory boards.

Are all occupational licensure compacts the same?

Not exactly, but most are similar in form and function. There are two types of occupational licensure compacts – the expedited licensure model and the mutual recognition model. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is the only expedited licensure compact. The remaining licensure compacts utilize the mutual recognition model, in which a practitioner’s home state license is “mutually recognized” by other compact member states.

Will the compact change state occupational practice acts or scopes of practice?

No. These do not change as a result the states joining a compact.

How do states join compacts?

State legislatures must enact compact legislation to become a member state of a compact.

What steps are needed before the compact is operational?

A threshold number of states, typically, seven to 10 states, must pass the enabling legislation. These states then would form a compact Commission which will govern the compact and ensure coordination between the participating states. Once the threshold number of states have passed the legislation and the Commission is in place, social workers would be able to pursue licensure through the compact, in the participating states. Additional states are added to the compact as they enact the required legislation and join the Commission.

How can social workers get involved in this initiative?

NASW will be providing numerous opportunities for members to advance this important effort. This includes the opportunity to provide input on the draft compact, and to engage in advocacy efforts through their NASW state/territorial chapters to enact compact legislation.

Development and Next Steps

The Association of Social Work Boards, the Clinical Social Work Association, and the National Association of Social Workers have ex officio members on the Executive Committee of the Social Work Compact Commission and are the authors of this document. On April 12, 2024, the Social Work Interstate Compact officially got off the ground after the Compact bill passed in seven state legislatures. State Commissioners were nominated in the Summer of 2024, with the inaugural meeting of the Commission in September 2024 and the Executive Committee began meeting in February of 2025.

1. When will states begin issuing multi-state licenses through the Compact? 

There is no definite date, but likely within 9-12 months.

2. How many states have joined the Compact to date? 

There are 32 states in the Compact as of May 18, 2026. More states are anticipated to be added by the end of the 2026 legislative session. An up-to-date list of states in the Compact can be found at https://swcompact.org/compact-map/. If states pass the Compact with material language changes - meaning the legislation wasn’t passed exactly as written in the Compact bill - then those states may have to change something in their legislation before they can become part of the Compact. So far, this has been the case in South Carolina and New Mexico.

3. What is the Compact Commission? 

The Commission is the governing body made up of participating member states. It adopts the rules that administer and govern the Compact. Each state's licensing board appoints a delegate to serve on the Commission once they have passed the Compact. The Compact Executive Committee, which includes 7 delegates and 4 ex officio members, manages Commission operations between meetings supports compliance and administration, and handles interim business not reserved for the full Commission. There is currently a Rulemaking Committee and a Finance Committee, with other committees to be developed.

4. How is the Compact being funded? 

The Social Work Compact has received generous support through grant funding provided by the Department of Defense and from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). ASWB supports the Compact through grant administration and financial support where funding is not otherwise covered. Eventually the Compact will be self-funded.

5. How will state licensure boards interface with the Compact? 

Once the data system is operational in states and the commission has finalized all necessary rulemaking, applications will be made available for social workers to apply for a multistate license through their home state. Once eligibility is confirmed by the home state, all fees are paid, and a social worker is granted a multistate license, they will be able to practice in all other member states of the compact without any further steps necessary.

6. How will complaints against Compact members be handled? 

Complaints will be adjudicated in each Compact state and sent to the Home State Board of the social worker for any other adjudication. Remote states can restrict practice in their state. The Home State can restrict practice in all Compact states. Notifications of actionable complaints will be made to all Compact states via the Compact’s data system.

7. Can a social worker have more than one Home State or access the Compact through a state they do not live in? 

No. The social worker’s home state must be where their primary residence is located (domicile), regardless of where their office is located or any other social work licenses they hold.

8. What is the estimated range of cost for multi-state license? 

The license fee will be set by each state which will include an administrative fee paid by the state board to the Commission for operations including the data system. All fees are yet to be determined.

If you have other questions, contact your ex officio representative, listed below.

Laura Groshong, LICSW
Director of Policy and Practice
Clinical Social Work Association
lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org

Karen Goodenough, PhD, MSW, LGSW
Social Work Interstate Compact Rep.
National Association of Social Workers
kgoodenough.naswmn@socialworkers.org

Jennifer Henkel, LCSW
Senior Director of Member Engagement & Regulatory Services
Association of Social Work Boards
JHenkel@aswb.org