Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact Update: November 2025

The Social Work Interstate Compact is one of the most significant developments in professional mobility the field has seen in decades. It is reshaping how licensed Social Workers can move, practice, and collaborate across state lines by creating a multistate licensure framework similar to compacts already in place for nursing and counseling. The idea is simple: make it easier for qualified professionals to serve clients where they are, especially in a world where telehealth and relocation are part of modern practice. This Social Work Interstate Compact Update explores the latest progress, from which states have joined to what the next two years could bring.

Since its activation in 2024, the compact has moved from concept to reality, with more states joining and the Compact Commission finalizing the operational rules. The movement is gathering serious momentum, and the groundwork being laid now will determine how efficiently Social Workers can apply for multistate authorization once the system launches. 2026 is shaping up to be the anticipated rollout for compact licensing, pending completion of data systems and rule adoption. For professionals looking to expand their reach or deliver services remotely, understanding these updates is no longer optional; it is essential.

At the same time, the path to participating in the compact still starts with individual readiness. That means holding an active, unencumbered license and being fully prepared for the ASWB exam if you have not yet passed it. Agents of Change offers a complete preparation system with study plans, practice tests, live groups, and flashcards to ensure you are ready. Because access lasts until you pass, there is no wrong time to start. As the compact evolves, those who prepare now will be best positioned to benefit from the new era of Social Work mobility and service flexibility.

Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers pass their ASWB exams and want to help you be next!

1) The Social Work Licensure Compact at a Glance

What the Compact Does (and Doesn’t) Do

The Social Work Licensure Compact creates a multistate authorization to practice for eligible Social Workers who hold an active, unencumbered license in their home compact state. Once issued, the compact credential allows practice in all member states, subject to the laws and scope of the state where the client sits. It’s designed to reduce redundant licensing barriers, support telepractice, improve access to care across state lines, and streamline administrative burdens for both regulators and the workforce. (Source: compacts.csg.org)

To be clear, the compact doesn’t erase standards or supersede public protection. Social Workers must meet the eligibility criteria set in the compact and follow the rules and scope of the client’s state when delivering services.

Agents of Change packages include 30+ ASWB topics, 2 free study groups per month, and hundreds of practice questions so you’ll be ready for test day!

2) Social Work Interstate Compact Update: Which States Have Enacted?

The Current Count and Full Roster (Through November 3, 2025)

The most authoritative public tally is maintained by the National Center for Interstate Compacts (The Council of State Governments, or CSG), which lists each state and its year of joinder. As of late 2025, 31 states have passed the compact. That roster includes:

2023

Missouri

2024

Alabama
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
Georgia
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
Ohio
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington

2025

Arkansas
Delaware
Maryland
Mississippi
New Jersey
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina

This enumerated list and the total (31 states) are drawn directly from CSG’s compact database entry for the Social Work Compact. (Source: compacts.csg.org)

Reconciling Counts You May Have Seen Elsewhere

In mid-2025, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) reported 28 states had adopted the compact by June 2025 and projected 2026 for opening multistate licensure. That figure reflected the count at that time; more states joined afterward, bringing the total to 31 by later in the year. (Source: aswb.org)
Some professional association pages show “30 states” passed; those pages were accurate when posted, but have since been outpaced by additional enactments. For the most up-to-date, authoritative list, CSG’s compact database remains the best single source.

3) How We Got Here: Activation, Commission, and Rulemaking

2024: The Activation Threshold Is Met

The compact model required seven enactments to activate. Kansas became the seventh state in April 2024, joining Missouri, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Kentucky, and Virginia, triggering the legal conditions to form the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission.

The Commission’s Role

Once activated, the Compact Commission began meeting to adopt bylaws, draft and adopt rules, and set up the infrastructure needed for multistate licensure. The Commission’s meetings (including its committees) are public, posted with notice, and include opportunities for written or oral comment. This transparency helps stakeholders follow and shape the implementation details.

2025: Building the Rulebook and the System

In 2025, the Commission continued rulemaking, which the compact requires to be posted for public comment at least 30 days prior to the voting meeting. Among the first foundational rules was the Commission’s Rule on Rulemaking, which outlines how future rules get proposed, noticed, commented on, and adopted.

Concurrently, ASWB noted the Commission’s work on securing a centralized data system, a key ingredient for verifying eligibility, tracking disciplinary actions, processing applications, and enabling efficient interstate coordination. ASWB reported in June 2025 that multistate licenses remained on track for 2026, with system vendor selection milestones in play.

4) What’s Next: The Road to 2026

The Implementation Window

The compact’s own public materials indicate a 12–24 month implementation window from activation before multistate licenses can be issued. Given activation in April 2024 and the Commission’s ongoing milestones in 2024–2025, the working target has been 2026 for opening applications, pending final rules, technology systems, fee structures, and operational readiness.

What Still Needs to Happen Before Applications Open?

Here’s what the Commission has signaled (and in some cases already begun) as prerequisites to flipping the switch:

Complete and adopt the operational rules needed to run the compact day-to-day (fees, application pathways, verification processes, and definitions essential to participation).
Stand up the centralized data system to verify license status and discipline across member states in near-real time. (ASWB highlighted the RFP and vendor selection timeline in mid-2025.)
Finalize administrative infrastructure, including staff hiring and selection of a secretariat arrangement to support the Commission’s ongoing work.
Publish clear guidance to boards and licensees about application steps, eligibility criteria, continuing education expectations, and compliance with client-state law. (Commission meeting pages and rule postings are the places to watch.)

With those building blocks in place, the Commission can open the portal for multistate license applications, something stakeholders have been anticipating since activation. Public-facing pages emphasize that licenses aren’t being issued yet, so don’t panic if your board hasn’t posted forms or fees. They’re coming once the implementation package is complete.

Eligibility, Practice, and Compliance: Practical Notes for Social Workers

Who’s Eligible?

Per the compact framework, eligible Social Workers will need to:

Reside in a compact member state (your “home state”),
Hold an active, unencumbered license in that home state, and
Fulfill any additional compact-specified requirements set by rule.

Where Can You Practice?

Once you have the compact credential, you can practice in any member state, but you must follow the laws and scope of practice where the client is located. That client-state compliance point is critical for telehealth and cross-border cases.

Renewals and CE

Expect to renew through your home state licensing board, with continuing education requirements based on your home state’s rules. The compact simplifies renewal by centralizing it in your home state rather than requiring multiple states’ requirements to be stacked.

What Should You Be Doing Now?

Even though applications aren’t open yet, there’s a lot a Social Worker can do today:

Confirm your home state status. Are you living in a compact member state now or planning a move? That will matter for your eligibility pathway. Check the CSG compact database for the most current roster.
Track Commission updates and rules. Bookmark the Commission’s Full Commission Meetings and Rulemaking pages. That’s where new rules, fees, and application steps will appear, along with how to comment.
Keep your license pristine. The compact requires a current, unencumbered license. Clear up any continuing education or documentation gaps early.
Prepare for mobility. Review the scope and telepractice statutes in states where you’re likely to serve. A compact credential expands where you can work; compliance still hinges on client-location law.
Get exam-ready if you’re pre-licensure or advancing. If the ASWB exam is ahead of you, invest in structured prep. Why? Because when the compact opens, being fully licensed and eligible gives you the most flexibility on day one.

Level Up for 2026 Mobility: Why Agents of Change Is a Smart Move

If you’re studying for the ASWB exam, Agents of Change is a vital, end-to-end resource that keeps you focused and confident:

Comprehensive study materials aligned to the current ASWB blueprints and 2026 updates.
Practice exams that mirror test-day pacing and reasoning.
Two live study groups per month for accountability and expert guidance.
Flashcards to lock in high-yield concepts.
Study plans included with every program so you stay on track, no guesswork.
Access until you pass—which means you can’t buy “too soon.” Start early, progress steadily, and walk in ready.

Explore options at: Agents of Change. With access secured through passing, it’s a time-smart way to remove friction from your prep while the compact gears up for 2026.

5) FAQs – Social Work Interstate Compact

Q: What exactly is the Social Work Interstate Compact, and how will it affect my ability to practice?

A: The Social Work Interstate Compact is a legally binding agreement among participating U.S. states that allows eligible Social Workers to hold a single multistate license. With that license, you can practice across member states without applying for new licenses in each one.

You will still need to follow the laws and scope of practice where your client is located, but the compact removes much of the administrative friction that has traditionally limited cross-state service delivery.

Q: How many states have passed the compact so far, and which ones are they?

A: As of late 2025, thirty-one states have enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, exceeding the threshold needed to activate it. These include Missouri, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. More states are expected to join before full implementation in 2026.

Q: When will multistate Social Work licenses actually be available to apply for?

A: The Compact Commission and the Association of Social Work Boards have indicated that the multistate licensure process is expected to open in 2026. Before that happens, the Commission must finalize operational rules, establish a centralized data verification system, and complete key administrative steps. Once those elements are in place, eligible Social Workers living in member states will be able to apply for and receive their compact licenses.

Q: Do I still need to take the ASWB exam if my state joins the compact?

A: Yes. The Social Work Interstate Compact does not replace state-level licensing requirements. You must still meet your home state’s educational, examination, and background criteria to be eligible for the compact license. Passing the ASWB exam remains a core requirement.

If you are preparing to take it, programs like Agents of Change provide structured study plans, realistic practice exams, and two live study groups each month—plus unlimited access until you pass, so you can start studying confidently at any time.

Q: Where can I find reliable updates about the compact’s progress?

A: The most accurate and current information can be found on the official Social Work Licensure Compact website (swcompact.org) and through the Council of State Governments’ National Center for Interstate Compacts database.

These sites list which states have enacted the compact, upcoming Commission meetings, and proposed rules open for public comment. Checking those sources regularly ensures you’re working from verified, real-time information rather than outdated summaries.

6) Conclusion

The Social Work Interstate Compact represents a powerful step forward for the profession. It is creating a modern framework that enables Social Workers to practice across state lines more easily while maintaining the highest standards of public protection.

With thirty-one states now signed on and more expected to join, the foundation for true licensure mobility is almost complete. The progress since activation in 2024 has been steady and transparent, with rulemaking, system development, and inter-state cooperation leading the way toward an anticipated 2026 launch.

For Social Workers, this shift is more than a policy milestone. It is an opportunity to expand impact, meet clients where they are, and respond to evolving needs in an increasingly mobile and virtual world. Staying informed about the compact’s progress ensures you will be ready when multistate applications open. If you already hold a license, keeping it active and unencumbered is key. If you are still preparing for licensure, now is the perfect time to focus on exam readiness and professional growth.

► Learn more about the Agents of Change course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!

Find more from Agents of Change here:

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact Update: November 2025

Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact Update: November 2025