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If you’re moving, live near a state line, or want the flexibility to practice in more than one state, you’ve probably wondered: Can I take the ASWB exam in a different state? The short answer is yes. The exam is the same everywhere, and you can test at any Pearson VUE center. But licensing is still handled state by state, so where you apply matters more than where you test.
This guide explains how to take the ASWB exam outside the state where you want to be licensed, what happens to your score if you move, how license transfers work (endorsement, reciprocity, and score transfers), and the latest on the Social Work Licensure Compact, which is set to change licensure mobility for social workers in the coming years.
Quick answer:
- Yes, you can take the ASWB exam in a different state. You apply to the licensing board in the state where you want to be licensed, then test at any Pearson VUE center.
- You don’t retake the exam when you move. ASWB can transfer your passing score to another state’s board.
- Your license doesn’t transfer automatically. Most states license out-of-state social workers through endorsement, which may include extra requirements.
- The Social Work Licensure Compact has been enacted in 35 states (as of July 2026), but multistate licenses are not available yet.
Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped more than 100,000 social workers prepare for their ASWB exams and want to help you be next!
1) The ASWB Exam Is the Same in Every State
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam is a national licensing exam used by boards across the United States and Canada. Whichever state you test in, you take the same exam for your category: Associate, Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, or Clinical.
Since August 3, 2026, every category uses the new ASWB exam format:
- 122 questions (110 scored, 12 unscored pretest questions)
- 4 hours of testing time, in two 61-question sections, with an optional break of up to 10 minutes between them
- Three content areas: Values and Ethics; Assessment and Planning; Intervention and Practice
- A mix of three- and four-option multiple-choice questions
- Pass/fail results against the same national passing standard. Passing scores do not vary by state.
For everything else about format, fees, and scoring, see our ASWB Exam FAQ.
Agents of Change offers four 122-question practice exams that match the new exam structure: 122 Question Exam 1, 122 Question Exam 2, 122 Question Exam 3, 122 Question Exam 4.
2) Can You Take the ASWB Exam in a Different State?
Yes. Here’s how it works:
- Apply to the board in the state where you want to be licensed. That board decides whether you’re eligible and which exam you take.
- Register with ASWB and pay the exam fee once the board approves you.
- Schedule at any Pearson VUE test center, in your state or another one.
- Your results go to the board you applied to, no matter where you tested.
Example: You live in Florida but are moving to Texas for a job. You apply to the Texas board, register for the exam once Texas approves you, and take the exam at a Pearson VUE center near you in Florida. Your results go to Texas.
For step-by-step instructions, see How to Register for the ASWB Exam.
What to watch for when testing out of state
- Apply to the right board. Apply where you want to be licensed, not where you happen to live or test.
- Check that board’s requirements first. Some boards require pre-approval, background checks or fingerprinting, a jurisprudence (laws and rules) exam or course, or specific coursework.
- Know the post-exam steps. Some states require you to submit a license application after you pass. Your license isn’t issued until the board finishes its process.
- Plan ahead for scheduling. Test center availability varies; ASWB suggests booking four to six weeks ahead when possible.
3) What If You Move After Passing the ASWB Exam?
Good news: you don’t retake the exam. A passing ASWB score stays valid, and ASWB can send an official score transfer to another state or provincial board for a fee. You’ll still need to apply for a license in the new state and meet its requirements.
- Research the new state’s board. Look for “licensure by endorsement” or “out-of-state applicants” on the board’s website.
- Confirm your exam category matches. The new state’s license level must match the exam you passed (for example, Clinical for an LCSW).
- Request a score transfer through your ASWBCentral account.
- Apply for licensure and submit verification of your current license, supervision documentation, and other requested materials.
- Complete any state-specific requirements, such as a jurisprudence exam, specific coursework, or a background check.
Start early. Depending on the state and how complete your application is, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
Looking for more ASWB content and exam strategies? Agents of Change includes 30+ topics, hundreds of practice questions, and 2 live study groups per month.
4) Social Work Licensure Mobility: Endorsement vs. Reciprocity
Social work licenses are issued by individual states, so a license in one state doesn’t automatically let you practice in another. Here are the main paths, and the terms you’ll see on board websites:
| Path | How it works | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Licensure by endorsement | The new state reviews your existing license, education, exam, and experience and issues its own license if you meet its standards | The most common path. May include extra requirements. |
| Reciprocity | One state accepts another state’s license with few or no additional requirements | There’s no universal social work reciprocity. When a board uses the word, check what it actually requires. |
| Universal license recognition | Some states have laws recognizing out-of-state licenses for new residents across many professions | Rules vary; often requires residency and a minimum time licensed. |
| Military spouse provisions | Federal law and many state laws make it easier for military spouses to use their license after a military move | Conditions apply; check with the board. |
| Temporary permits | Some states offer short-term permits while your full license is processed | Not available everywhere. |
| Social Work Licensure Compact | A multistate license that will let you practice in all member states | Enacted in 35 states; licenses not yet being issued (see below). |
Common extra requirements when moving states
- A jurisprudence or laws-and-rules exam or course (California, for example, requires its own California Law and Ethics Exam for LCSW candidates)
- Verification of supervised hours, especially for clinical licenses
- State-specific coursework or training
- Background checks or fingerprinting
- Application and license fees
Requirements change, so always confirm current rules on the board’s official website before you apply.
5) The Social Work Licensure Compact: What’s Changing
The Social Work Licensure Compact is an interstate agreement that will let qualified social workers get a multistate license from their home state and use it to practice in every other member state, without applying for separate licenses.
Where it stands (as of mid-2026)
- The compact has been enacted in 35 states as of July 2026, with legislation pending in others.
- Multistate licenses are not available yet. The Compact Commission is writing rules and building a shared data system, which it estimates will be completed in spring 2027. Applications will open after that work is done.
- Check the official Social Work Licensure Compact website for the current map of member states and updates.
Who will be eligible
The compact covers bachelors, masters, and clinical licenses. To qualify, you’ll generally need to:
- Hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered license in your home state, which must be a compact member
- Have passed the qualifying national exam for your category (currently the ASWB exam)
- Have the required degree: an accredited BSW for the bachelors level, or an accredited MSW for masters and clinical
- For the clinical level, have completed at least 3,000 hours or 2 years of supervised post-graduate clinical practice
- Pass a background check and pay applicable fees
When you practice in another member state, you’ll follow that state’s laws and scope of practice. Continuing education will only be required for your home-state license.
What this means for you: Passing the ASWB exam will be a requirement for the multistate license, so the exam remains central to your career mobility.
6) Telehealth Across State Lines
A common mistake: assuming you can see clients in another state by telehealth because you’re licensed where you are. In general, you need to be authorized to practice in the state where the client is located at the time of the session. Until the compact is fully up and running, that usually means holding a license in each client’s state, or using a state’s temporary or telehealth-specific registration if it offers one.
7) FAQs: Taking the ASWB Exam in a Different State
Q: Can I take the ASWB exam in one state and get licensed in another?
A: Yes. Apply to the board in the state where you want to be licensed, and once approved, test at any Pearson VUE center. Your results go to the board you applied to.
Q: Do I have to retake the ASWB exam if I move?
A: No. Your passing score stays valid, and ASWB can transfer it to your new state’s board for a fee. You’ll still need to meet the new state’s other licensing requirements.
Q: Does the passing score differ by state?
A: No. All jurisdictions that use ASWB exams recognize the same national passing standard. The number of correct answers you need depends on your exam form, not your state.
Q: Can I work in multiple states with one social work license?
A: Not yet, in most cases. Each state currently issues its own license. Once the Social Work Licensure Compact begins issuing multistate licenses, eligible social workers in member states will be able to practice across all member states with one license.
Q: When will the Social Work Licensure Compact start issuing licenses?
A: There’s no confirmed date. As of mid-2026, the compact has been enacted in 35 states, and the commission estimates its data system will be complete in spring 2027. Applications will open after rules and systems are finalized. Check swcompact.org for updates.
Q: How long does it take to transfer a social work license?
A: It depends on the state and how complete your application is. Some transfers take a few weeks; others take several months if you need to complete additional coursework, exams, or verification.
8) Conclusion
You can take the ASWB exam in any state, and you’ll never have to retake it just because you move. The key is applying to the right board, transferring your score when you relocate, and meeting each state’s requirements. The Social Work Licensure Compact will make multistate practice much easier once it begins issuing licenses, and passing the ASWB exam will be part of qualifying for it.
Wherever you plan to practice, the first step is the same: pass the exam. Get started with our 30-, 60-, and 90-day study plans or build your own with our personalized study plan builder.
► Learn more about the Agents of Change course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com
About the Instructor, Dr. Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over 11 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:
► Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aswbtestprep
► Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agents-of-change-sw
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.
