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.
A social worker who wishes to use the compact to practice in other states will apply for a multistate license. To be eligible, a social worker must be eligible for or hold an active, unencumbered license in their primary state of residence (which must be a member of the compact) and meet other eligibility criteria. When eligibility is verified and all fees are paid, the social worker receives the multistate license and may begin legally working in any compact member state.
Please see the Social Work Compact map https://swcompact.org/compact-map/ to stay updated on which states have joined the compact or have legislation in progress.
Pennsylvania still must enact legislation to join the compact! Once Pennsylvania does so and the implementation process for the compact is complete, Pennsylvania social workers will be able to apply for multistate licenses.
In the meantime, what can you do?
- Donate to the PSCSW Lobbying fund, CLICK HERE!
- Volunteer for the PSCSW Legislative Committee to help PSCSW keep on top of legislative activity, share that with the membership, organize events, fundraise, make sure legislative issues you care about are being addressed by our lobbyists.
- Come to PSCSW Board Meetings to share the importance of this legislation to you and your clients.
- Share the link to the PSCSW Compact Lobbying webpage with fellow PA Social Workers.
- Share information about the compact with your social networks and other LCSWs and LSWs in PA.
- Share why this legislation matters to you on the PSCSW listserv and other social media portals.
- Thank the State Reps who introduced the bill.
- Contact your state reps to urge them to support the bill (info in presentation slides).