The practice of social work is regulated by each individual state and jurisdiction, not at the federal level. When a licensed social worker relocates or seeks to practice across state lines, they must navigate a complex, state-by-state process to legally continue their career. This system means a social worker’s professional credentials do not automatically transfer from one location to the next. Successfully moving a license requires a deliberate approach to ensure continuity of practice and compliance with the new state’s specific regulations.
Defining License Portability: Reciprocity and Endorsement
The movement of a professional license between states is generally addressed through two mechanisms: reciprocity and endorsement. Reciprocity involves a direct, mutual agreement between two states to recognize each other’s licenses as equivalent, but this is rare in social work. The process most commonly used is licensure by endorsement. Endorsement means the new state’s licensing board reviews the applicant’s existing license, education, and professional experience against its own established requirements. While this process acknowledges existing credentials, the applicant must still demonstrate that their qualifications meet the new state’s standards.
The Role of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and the Compact
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) plays a central role in the national standardization of social work licensure. The ASWB develops and administers the standardized national examinations required for licensure in most jurisdictions, such as the Clinical, Advanced Generalist, and Masters level tests. The organization maintains a database of passing exam scores, which is necessary for endorsement applications. Many state boards require an official ASWB Verification of Licensure from the original jurisdiction, confirming the status of the current license and the passing score on the national exam.
The ASWB is also coordinating the emerging Social Work Licensure Compact, an initiative designed to significantly streamline mobility. The Compact is an agreement among participating states that allows eligible social workers to obtain a single multistate license to practice in all member states. This new system is still in the adoption phase, requiring states to pass enabling legislation to officially join. While the Compact is not yet fully operational, it represents a shift toward reducing the administrative burden for bachelors, masters, and clinical social workers. As of June 2025, over two dozen states have adopted the Compact, moving it closer to full implementation.
Step One: Evaluating Your Credentials Against the New State’s Standards
Before submitting any application, the first step involves a detailed self-assessment against the destination state’s specific licensing criteria. Applicants must locate the State Board of Social Work Examiners and compare its requirements with the qualifications used to obtain their current license. This comparison should focus on the degree requirement, confirming the education was obtained from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Applicants must also carefully review the supervised practice hours required for the specific license level they seek, such as LCSW or LMSW. States have varying rules regarding the minimum hour totals, the type of supervision, and the timeframe in which the hours must have been completed.
Preparing and Submitting the Endorsement Application
Once the initial credential evaluation is complete, the formal application process begins by completing the required endorsement forms and submitting them to the new state’s licensing board along with the application fees. Applicants must arrange for official transcripts from their university to be sent directly to the new board to verify their degree and CSWE accreditation. A mandatory step is securing official verification of the social worker’s current license status from the original state board. This verification confirms that the license is active and in good standing, meaning it is not under any disciplinary action. For clinical licenses, the applicant must also secure official documentation from previous supervisors to verify the number and type of supervised hours completed, and many states require a background check.
Addressing Common Hurdles in the Transfer Process
During the endorsement review, licensing boards frequently identify discrepancies between the applicant’s credentials and the new state’s statutes. A common challenge is a deficiency in supervised hours, occurring when the original state required fewer hours than the destination state for the same license level. If a gap in hours is identified, the applicant may need to complete the remaining supervised experience under a qualified supervisor in the new state to achieve full licensure.
Another frequent hurdle is the requirement for a state-specific examination or course that the social worker has not yet completed. This often involves a jurisprudence exam, which tests knowledge of the new state’s social work laws, or a mandatory continuing education course. To maintain continuity of employment while the full application is pending, the new state may offer a temporary or provisional license. This allows the social worker to practice under supervision for a defined period while fulfilling outstanding requirements.
Ongoing Requirements for Maintaining Licensure
After successfully obtaining the social work license, the professional must adhere to the new jurisdiction’s ongoing maintenance requirements. Every state mandates the completion of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a specific time frame, typically a biennial or triennial renewal cycle. The total number of hours required and the specific topics vary widely between states. Many state boards require that a certain number of CEU hours be dedicated to mandated subjects, such as ethics or cultural competency. The social worker must also be mindful of the new state’s unique license renewal cycle, associated fees, and ethical standards to ensure the license remains active.