2026 Compact Update · Multistate Licenses Launching

License Reciprocity by State

Moving to a new state? Practicing telehealth across state lines? Pick your current state and your destination — we'll show you the fastest path to licensure, including whether the new Social Work Licensure Compact applies.

31
States in the Compact
2026
Multistate licenses begin
51
State guides on SWU

Find Your Pathway

Where are you licensed now, and where do you need to practice?

🔔 Get notified when multistate licenses open

Both states are in the compact. We'll email you the day your home state opens multistate license applications — probably sometime in 2026.

✓ You're on the list. We'll only email when your state opens applications.
Social Work Licensure Compact

The biggest change to social work licensure in decades

After the compact hit activation in April 2024, the Compact Commission has been building the rules and data infrastructure needed to issue multistate licenses. Launch is expected in 2026.

31
States Enacted

Compact is activated

The seven-state activation threshold was hit in April 2024. Thirty-one states have enacted the compact legislation, and the Compact Commission is on track to begin issuing multistate licenses in 2026.

Where things stand

Activation threshold ✓ Met (April 2024)
Commission formed ✓ Active
Centralized data system In build
Multistate license issuance Expected 2026
ASWB Social Work Registry Sunsetting 2027

Compact member states

Last reviewed April 2026 · Enactment status, not yet issuing multistate licenses
View authoritative map on swcompact.org →
Activation state (first 7)
Enacted compact legislation
Not yet a member
Status changes frequently. Bills are still moving through state legislatures, and the operational launch date depends on rulemaking and the Commission's centralized data system. For the authoritative, real-time list, check swcompact.org/compact-map or the CSG compact database.
Implementation Timeline

How we got here — and what's next

Key milestones in the Social Work Licensure Compact, from model legislation to multistate licenses.

2023
Model compact legislation finalized
ASWB, the Council of State Governments, and the U.S. Department of Defense publish the model act. Missouri becomes the first state to enact it.
April 2024
Activation threshold hit (7 states)
Kansas becomes the seventh state to enact, joining Missouri, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Kentucky, and Virginia. The compact officially activates and the Compact Commission is formed.
2024–2025
Rulemaking and rapid state adoption
The Commission builds out bylaws, fee structures, and the application process. State enactments accelerate — by mid-2025 there are 28 member states; by late 2025 more than 30.
2026 — Now
Centralized data system & first multistate licenses
The Commission is finalizing the centralized licensure data system. Multistate licenses are expected to begin being issued this year, with states onboarding on different timelines based on their existing licensure infrastructure.
March 2027
ASWB Social Work Registry shuts down
The Registry stopped accepting new applications in March 2026. Existing accounts stay active through March 31, 2027, after which the compact is the primary pathway for practice mobility.
What the Terms Actually Mean

Reciprocity vs. endorsement vs. compact

Three words that get used interchangeably — but mean very different things for how you actually get licensed.

True Reciprocity

Rare in social work

State B automatically recognizes your State A license with little or no additional work. You show proof of your active license, pay a fee, get issued.

  • No re-examination or resupervision
  • Usually only between specific neighboring states
  • Not common in the social work profession

Licensure by Endorsement

The standard path today

State B reviews your existing license and waives most initial requirements — but may add state-specific items (law & ethics exam, background check, CE catch-up).

  • ASWB exam scores generally transfer
  • Supervised hours usually accepted
  • Processing: typically 4–8 weeks
  • State-specific requirements still apply

Compact Multistate License

Launching 2026

You hold one multistate license issued by your home state that authorizes practice in every other compact member state — similar to the Nurse Licensure Compact.

  • Both your home state and target state must be members
  • Requires FBI background check
  • Must hold an active, unencumbered license
  • You follow the laws of the state where the client is located
Telehealth & Cross-State Practice

The client's location is what matters

The most important rule in cross-state telehealth: you must be licensed in the state where your client is physically located at the time of the session — not just where you are, and not just where they normally live.

The compact is designed specifically to reduce this friction. Once multistate licenses begin issuing, eligible social workers in member states will be able to practice across all compact states under a single license. Until then, you still need a separate license in every non-compact state where you see clients.

Telehealth licensure checklist

  1. Confirm client location at the start of every session, not just at intake.
  2. Hold a license where the client is — their physical location during the session governs.
  3. Check for temporary practice allowances — some states permit limited days/year of out-of-state telehealth.
  4. Verify your malpractice coverage extends to the state(s) where you're delivering care.
  5. Track compact status monthly — if your home state is a member, you may be eligible for a multistate license soon.
Go Deeper

All 51 state licensing guides

Each guide covers license levels, supervised hours, exams, fees, renewal cycles, compact status, and the exact application workflow.

Browse all state guides →
FAQ

Common questions about moving your license

Do I have to retake the ASWB exam if I move to another state?
No. Your ASWB exam results are valid in any state or province that uses that licensing exam. You'll need your exam history verified by ASWB and sent to the new state board, but you won't retake it. The only exception is if you're moving up to a higher license level (e.g., LMSW to LCSW) and haven't yet taken the Clinical exam.
Will my supervised hours transfer?
Usually yes, but states have different standards. Most will accept hours that meet or exceed their own requirement. If the new state's rules are more stringent (e.g., more hours, specific supervisor credentials, specific content), you may need to complete additional hours. Your supervisor's license number, full contact information, and detailed session logs are critical — keep them.
How long does endorsement typically take?
Most states process endorsement applications in 4–8 weeks once the file is complete. A few move in as little as 3–4 weeks (often smaller states with smaller backlogs), and a handful run 8–14 weeks, especially when fingerprinting, out-of-state verifications, or board meeting schedules are involved. Start the application 2–3 months before you actually need to practice.
If my state joins the compact, am I automatically multistate-licensed?
No. Enactment is a state-level legal act. To actually get a multistate license, you'll apply through your home state's board once the Compact Commission has finalized rules and your state has onboarded to the centralized data system. You'll need an active, unencumbered license and will undergo an FBI criminal background check.
Can I hold licenses in multiple states at the same time?
Yes — many clinicians do, especially those doing telehealth or practicing near state borders. Until the compact launches fully, this is the standard workaround. You'll pay renewal fees in each state and meet each state's continuing education requirements, though CE that satisfies one state will often count toward another.
What about jurisprudence or state-specific exams?
Some states require a separate jurisprudence or law-and-ethics exam — California's CA Law & Ethics exam is the most well-known. Indiana requires a jurisprudence exam for out-of-state applicants. These aren't nationally standardized, so check the state guide for your target state before you apply.
What happens to the ASWB Social Work Registry?
The Registry stopped accepting new applications and renewals on March 16, 2026. Existing accounts remain active through March 31, 2027, and participants can request a copy of their records before the system goes offline. Going forward, the compact is the primary pathway for licensure mobility.
Verified Sources

We cite the boards, not blogs

Every status claim on this page links to an authoritative source. Check them yourself — licensing rules move.

swcompact.org ↗ Official Social Work Licensure Compact site — member states, rulemaking, implementation timeline Compact member map ↗ Live map of enacted and pending states ASWB ↗ Association of Social Work Boards — exam info, licensure mobility, Registry status CSG compact database ↗ Council of State Governments — comprehensive state bill tracking ASWB 2026 implementation update ↗ Timeline for multistate license issuance ASWB Registry sunset notice ↗ Registry stops accepting applications March 2026; shuts down March 31, 2027
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Compact tracker data verified against swcompact.org

SocialWorkU's licensing content is for informational purposes and is updated regularly, but licensing rules change frequently at both state and federal levels. Always confirm current requirements directly with your state licensing board and with ASWB or swcompact.org before making a career decision.