Social Work Compact: Current Status and What It Means for Telehealth

Written by: Meghan Gilliland, LCSW, LICSW
Last updated: May 17, 2026
Sources used: Social Work Licensure Compact, Compact Commission, CSG compact database, ASWB, NASW, HHS telehealth guidance.

The Social Work Licensure Compact is one of the most important developments for social workers who provide online therapy, telehealth, supervision, case management, and other social work services across state lines.

Current Status

Compact status

Activated, not yet operational

Multistate licenses

Not yet being issued

Applications

Not yet available

Provider takeaway

Verify with official compact sources before practicing

Current Status of the Social Work Licensure Compact

As of May 6, 2026, the Social Work Licensure Compact is activated but not yet operational for licensees. Activation means the compact reached the threshold needed to create the Compact Commission and begin implementation. It does not mean social workers can already apply for a multistate license or begin practicing across all compact states under compact authority.

Compact status

Activated, not yet operational

Multistate licenses

Not yet being issued

Applications

Not yet available

Commission activity

Working on rules, bylaws, fees, and data systems

Provider takeaway

Continue relying on existing state licenses or other lawful authorization pathways

Important: This page is for general educational and planning purposes. It is not legal advice. Before making practice decisions, verify current requirements with the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, your home-state licensing board, and the licensing board in the state where your client is located.

What Is the Social Work Licensure Compact?

The Social Work Licensure Compact is an interstate occupational licensure compact for regulated social workers. Its purpose is to make interstate practice easier while preserving state authority over social work licensure, scope of practice, discipline, and public protection.

The compact is intended to create an additional pathway for eligible social workers to practice in compact member states without completing a full separate licensure process in every compact state where they want to serve clients.

The compact does not create a national social work license. It also does not eliminate state regulation. Social workers using the compact will still need to meet eligibility requirements, follow the laws and rules of the state where the client is located, and maintain appropriate authorization to practice.

Who Does the Social Work Compact Apply To?

The Social Work Compact applies to regulated social workers in three broad compact categories:

Bachelor's

Bachelor’s social workers

Master's

Master’s social workers

Clinical

Clinical social workers, including LCSWs and equivalent licenses

Different states use different license titles, so a provider may use terms like LCSW compact, LMSW compact, LSW compact, LICSW compact, or social work multistate license. The compact itself is organized around bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical categories rather than every state-specific license title. A compact state may need to activate the bachelor’s, master’s, and/or clinical category for multistate licensure. However, not every licensed social worker should assume they will automatically qualify. Eligibility will depend on the compact rules, the provider’s home-state license, exam history, degree, supervision history, disciplinary status, and other requirements.

Which States Are in the Social Work Compact?

State participation is one of the areas where social workers should be especially careful. A state may pass compact legislation before the compact is fully operational for licensees. A state may also appear on one official roster before other information has been updated on other official resources.

Official compact jurisdictions (verify current list with official sources)

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Georgia

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Jersey

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Rhode Island

South Dakota

Tennessee

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

A separate Council of State Governments compact database also shows New Mexico, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. State rosters may update on different timelines.

Important: A state being part of the compact does not currently mean social workers can begin compact-based practice there. Multistate licenses are not yet being issued.

Understanding the Compact's Scope

When the compact is fully operational, it is designed to allow an eligible social worker to apply for a multistate license through the provider’s home state. The compact creates an important pathway for eligible providers, but it still comes with specific limits and requirements. Understanding both what it allows and what it does not do is essential.

What it may allow once operational

Apply for multistate license through home state
Practice in other compact member states after proper authorization
Serve clients who move or travel between states
Reduce need for separate license applications
Provide continuity of care across state lines

What it does not do

Create a national social work license
Authorize practice in states that are not in the compact
Eliminate state licensing boards
Remove need to follow remote-state rules
Allow practice before licenses are issued

Compact vs. Getting Licensed in Multiple States

The Social Work Compact is expected to create a more streamlined pathway for eligible social workers in compact member states once multistate licenses become available. That is different from traditional multi-state licensure, where a provider applies separately to each state where they want to practice.

For now, individual state licensure remains the practical pathway for social workers who want to serve clients in more than one state. Even after the compact becomes operational, separate state licenses may still matter for nonmember states, providers who do not qualify for compact licensure, or practice situations that fall outside the compact.

Individual state licenses

Apply separately in each state
Follow each state’s renewal and continuing education rules
Useful for compact and noncompact states
Available now if you meet state requirements

Social Work Compact multistate license

Expected to be issued through the home state
Designed for eligible social workers in compact states
Not yet being issued
Still requires following the client-state rules

What Does the Social Work Compact Mean for Telehealth?

The Social Work Compact is highly relevant to online therapy and telehealth because many social workers now serve clients who are no longer located in one fixed local area. Clients move, travel, split time between states, attend college away from home, and seek specialized online care that may not be available nearby.

Important reminder

Online therapy is not automatically borderless. In most cross-state telehealth situations, the client’s physical location during the session matters. A social worker generally needs to be licensed or otherwise legally authorized where the client is located at the time care is rendered.

Once the Social Work Compact is operational, a multistate license may make it easier for eligible social workers to serve clients across compact states. But social workers will still need to confirm the compact is live, confirm their own eligibility, receive the appropriate authorization, and follow the requirements of the client’s state.

If you are a social worker planning for compact-era telehealth, it is wise to prepare now without overstating what you can do today. That means keeping your current licenses accurate, monitoring compact updates, understanding where your clients are located, and building visibility in the states where you are already authorized to practice.

What Clients Should Know

Clients may hear about the Social Work Compact and wonder whether it means any social worker can now provide online therapy across state lines. For now, the answer is no. Because multistate licenses are not yet being issued, clients should still ask whether the provider is currently licensed or otherwise authorized in the state where the client will be located during the session.

If you are moving out of state

Ask your provider whether they can continue care after your location changes.

If you travel or split time between states

Confirm whether your provider can see you in each state where you may attend sessions.

If you are searching for a new therapist

Look for providers who clearly list the states where they are currently licensed.

Basic Eligibility Requirements for Social Workers

Final application details may continue to develop as implementation proceeds, but official compact materials identify several core eligibility concepts social workers should understand.

General requirements

Hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered home-state license, meet applicable education and exam requirements, pay required fees, complete required background check steps, and comply with continuing competence requirements.

Category-specific requirements

The compact distinguishes among bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical social work categories. Clinical social workers should expect additional attention to graduate education, qualifying examination requirements, and supervised clinical practice history.

Home state matters

The compact is built around a home-state license. A provider’s home state must be a compact member state for that provider to use the compact pathway through that state.

License status matters

Social workers should pay close attention to whether their license is active, unencumbered, and eligible for compact purposes. A restricted, provisional, temporary, limited, or disciplined license may create eligibility issues.

Exam history matters

The compact includes qualifying national exam requirements. Some experienced social workers may need to review official guidance carefully, especially if they were licensed before certain exam requirements existed in their state.

Verify eligibility

Because eligibility questions can be specific, social workers should verify directly with their licensing board and official compact resources before assuming they will qualify.

What Social Workers Can Do Now

Even though Social Work Compact multistate licenses are not yet being issued, social workers can still take practical steps now.

Keep your current licenses accurate and visible. If you are already licensed in more than one state, make sure your website, directory profiles, provider bio, and referral materials clearly list the states where you are currently licensed. Do not wait for compact implementation to make your existing multi-state authorization findable.
Avoid claiming compact authority before it exists. It is reasonable to say you are monitoring the Social Work Compact or preparing for compact-era practice. It is not appropriate to imply that you are already practicing under a Social Work Compact multistate license if that license has not been issued.
Review your home-state status. Because the compact is expected to depend on a home-state license, social workers should confirm whether their home state has joined the compact and whether their current license is active, unencumbered, and aligned with the category of practice they hope to use.
Think about your future compact-state strategy. Not every compact state will be equally relevant to your practice. Consider where you already receive inquiries, where referral partners are located, where your niche is underserved, and where your clinical specialty may be especially valuable.
Build referral relationships across states. Multi-state practice is not only a licensing issue. Providers also need referral relationships, professional trust, and visibility in the states where they hope to serve clients. A compact can create a pathway to practice, but it does not automatically create clients or referral partners.

Already licensed in more than one state?

Make your licensed states easier to find on Therapy Expanded. Connect with clients and referral partners who need providers available for cross-state care.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Social Work Compact

Is the Social Work Licensure Compact live yet?

The compact has reached activation status, but it is not yet operational for licensees. Multistate licenses are not yet being issued, and social workers should continue to rely on their existing state licenses or other lawful authorization pathways until the compact application process is officially available.

Can LCSWs use the Social Work Compact?

Clinical social workers are one of the compact categories, so LCSWs and equivalent independently licensed clinical social workers may be among the providers most interested in the compact. However, eligibility will depend on the provider’s home-state license, exam history, education, supervision, license status, background check, and final compact rules.

Does the Social Work Compact let social workers practice in every state?

No. The compact is designed to apply among compact member states. It does not create a national license, and it does not authorize practice in states that are not part of the compact. Even in compact states, social workers will need to meet eligibility requirements and receive the proper multistate license once applications become available.

What states are in the Social Work Compact?

As of this page’s last update, the official compact jurisdictions page lists 30 jurisdictions that have passed compact language, while the Council of State Governments compact database lists additional joined states. Because state rosters may update on different timelines, verify the current state list through official compact resources before relying on it for practice decisions.

Will the Social Work Compact help with online therapy across state lines?

Yes, once operational, the compact may make it easier for eligible social workers to provide telehealth services to clients located in other compact member states. However, online therapy is still governed by the rules of the state where the client is located, and the compact is not currently issuing multistate licenses.

Do social workers still need separate state licenses?

For now, yes. Until the compact is operational, social workers still need to rely on individual state licenses or other lawful authorization pathways. Even after the compact becomes available, separate state licensure may still matter for nonmember states or for providers who choose to maintain individual licenses in certain jurisdictions.

How should social workers prepare for the compact?

Social workers can prepare by monitoring official compact updates, keeping their home-state license in good standing, reviewing eligibility requirements, maintaining accurate license information on their public profiles, and building visibility in the states where they are already licensed or plan to practice.

Can I say I am a Social Work Compact provider on my profile?

Not unless you have actually received the relevant compact authorization once applications are available. Until then, safer language would be that you are monitoring the Social Work Compact or preparing for compact-era practice, while clearly listing only the states where you are currently licensed or authorized to practice.

What should clients ask before seeing a social worker online from another state?

Clients should ask whether the social worker is licensed or otherwise authorized in the state where the client will be located during the session. Clients who move, travel, attend college out of state, or split time between states should ask this before booking or continuing care.

Official Social Work Compact Resources

Because compact rules and implementation details can change, providers should verify current information through official sources:

Official Social Work Compact

Main homepage and compact information

Compact State Map

Interactive map of active compact legislation and state status

National Center for Interstate Compacts

Commission updates and rulemaking

Compact Commission

Commission updates and rulemaking

Educational Resources

Model legislation, FAQ, and guidance

ASWB Licensing Guidance

Getting licensed in another state

HHS Telehealth Licensure

Federal guidance on cross-state practice

NASW Telemental Health

Federal guidance on cross-state practice

Plan for Multi-State Practice With Therapy Expanded

The Social Work Compact may eventually make interstate practice easier for eligible social workers, but licensure is only one part of building a sustainable online practice. Providers also need visibility, referral relationships, and clear communication about where they can serve clients.

If you are already licensed in more than one state, preparing for compact implementation, or planning to grow an online practice across state lines, Therapy Expanded can help you get found and build connections with other providers navigating the same landscape.