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Update on the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact
The Social Work Licensure Compact was signed into law by Governor Josh Stein on June 13, 2025.
While 29 states have passed the Social Work Licensure Compact, the compact will not officially start for another 1-2 years.
NASW-NC's top priority for the 2025 North Carolina Legislative Session is to pass the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact. NASW-NC has been advocating to make North Carolina a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact since the legislation was released by the Council of State Governments in 2023. NASW-NC is the only organization in North Carolina lobbying to secure bill sponsors to introduce and pass the Social Work Licensure Compact into law in North Carolina.
In February 2025, members of the North Carolina Senate and House of Representative introduced legislation to add North Carolina to the list of states that are members of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
The North Carolina legislation (SB155 and HB231) would allow licensed social workers to apply to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created so the public could be kept safe and informed regarding social worker license status and any adverse actions associated with a licensed social worker.
The legislation, sponsored by Senators Corbin, Hise and Burgin in the Senate and Representatives Dr. Reeder, Dr. Campbell, Potts and Blackwell in the House, is a game-changer for our profession and the communities that rely on us.
NASW-NC has worked tirelessly for the last two years to secure the 40 primary and co-sponsors in both the Senate and House of Representatives. NASW-NC is the only organization with registered lobbyists working to advance and promote the social work profession at the North Carolina General Assembly. This work would not be possible without the support of the members of NASW-NC. If you are a social worker and not a member of NASW, we ask that you please join us in this important advocacy work.
How the Compact became law in North Carolina The Social Work Licensure Compact legislation has been introduced in both the North Carolina House of Representatives and Senate. NASW-NC has worked hard to ensure strong support in both chambers. Each bill must pass three committees before it receives a floor vote in both chambers. Once passed by both the House and Senate, the bills will go to Governor Stein for a signature. As the legislation passed each committee, the NASW-NC lobbying team worked to ensure the bill was calendared in the referred committee. This was done by being present at the legislative buildings and meeting with legislative committee chairs and staff members. The members of NASW-NC ensure we are here to make this happen! Thank you!
How the Social Work Licensure Compact became law:
HB231: Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact – Introduced 2/26/2025
North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina Senate
Upon passage by both the House and the Senate, the bill was sent by special messenger to Governor Stein to sign into law.
Follow along with us by signing up for NASW-NC Advocacy Alerts here. Watch the bills pass the legislative committees here.
What happens next? How do social workers participate in the Social Work Licensure Compact?
The Social Work Licensure Compact has been enacted in at seven states and has reached activation status, meaning a Social Work Compact Commission has been formed and the logistics of starting the Compact are being formed. Multistate social work licenses are NOT yet being issued at this time. The implementation process for the compact will take 12 to 24 months before multistate licenses are to be issued. You can learn more details about the Social Work Licensure Compact and the Compact Commission by going to its website here.
Compact History The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), as part of an initiative to promote licensure portability for military spouses, in 2021 funded the development of an interstate licensure compact for social workers. The Council of State Governments (CSG) has partnered with the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to support the mobility of licensed social workers through the development of a new interstate compact. This additional licensing pathway will facilitate multistate practice among member states and reduce the barriers to license portability.
What is the Social Work Licensure Compact?
What are the advantages of the Social Work Licensure Compact? The Social Work Licensure Compact allows eligible social workers to practice in all states that join the compact. The goal is to eliminate barriers to practice and to client care along with ensuring public protection.
Other benefits include:
While 29 states have passed the Social Work Licensure Compact, the compact will not officially start for another 1-2 years.
NASW-NC worked tirelessly to secure bill sponsors to introduce and pass this critical legislation in 2025. We cannot do this without a robust NASW membership. If you are reading this and not a member of NASW, please join NASW today.
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11/17/2025 » 11/18/2025
2025 NASW-NC Virtual Fall Conference
