Social workers are the backbone of society, providing essential support, advocacy, and services to individuals and communities in need. And while the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment of social workers to grow 7% by 2033 (faster than the average for all occupations), some areas of the country are struggling to find enough social workers. In fact, according to a 2023 report by the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), over half of Americans live in a mental health professional shortage area, and as of 2021, 22% of rural counties in the country are without behavioral health providers, such as social workers. The Social Work Licensure Compact, while not yet operational, aims to simplify the process for social workers to travel across state lines to provide care to patients, but how exactly does it work? In this blog, we’re answering everything you need to know about the Social Work Licensure Compact.
What is the Social Work Licensure Compact?
The Social Work Licensure Compact is an interstate licensing agreement that will allow social workers who have an active, unencumbered license in a member state to apply for a multistate license. This multistate license allows a social worker to legally practice in any other compact state, eliminating the need for social workers to apply directly to each state in which they wish to practice.
The Social Work Licensure Compact extends to social workers of all educational levels, however, there are certain eligibility requirements for each if they want to obtain a multistate license:
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers
- Pass the Qualifying National Exam
- Earn an accredited Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree or higher
- Complete 3,000 hours or two years of postgraduate and supervised clinical practice
- Masters Social Work
- Pass the Qualifying National Exam
- Earn an accredited Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree or higher
- Bachelors Social Work
- Pass the Qualifying National Exam
- Earn an accredited Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) degree or higher
The Social Work Licensure Compact is not operational as of March 2025, so no social worker can obtain a multistate license quite yet. However, the compact has been enacted in at least seven states, meaning the compact is activated, however it will take around 12–24 months for multistate licenses to begin being issued.
Which states are in the Social Work Licensure Compact?
As of March 2025, 23 states have enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. Here’s a full map of where the compact is enacted, where legislation is currently pending, and where no action has been taken:
As mentioned previously, even though the Social Work Licensure Compact has met its activation threshold, it will take around 1–2 years for the compact to begin issuing multistate licenses to social workers.
How could the Social Work Licensure Compact help increase access to care?
The Social Work Licensure Compact could significantly improve access to care, especially in underserved areas. By allowing social workers to practice across state lines more easily, the compact aims to address workforce shortages and enhance the mobility of social workers.
This increased flexibility could lead to better distribution of these crucial allied health clinicians, particularly in rural areas and mental health professional shortage areas, ultimately improving the availability and quality of mental health services for more Americans.
How could travel licensed clinical social workers benefit from the Social Work Licensure Compact?
Travel licensed clinical social workers could greatly benefit from the Social Work Licensure Compact. The compact would simplify the licensing process, allowing these professionals to work in multiple states without obtaining separate licenses for each. This increased mobility could lead to more diverse job opportunities, higher earning potential, and the ability to serve a wider range of communities.
Additionally, it could reduce administrative burdens and costs associated with maintaining multiple state licenses, making travel social work more accessible and appealing as a career option.
Interested in finding travel licensed clinical social worker jobs? We can help. Check out our job board and apply today!