Social Work Licensure Compact
Social Work Licensure Compact in West Virginia
SWCompactMap provides informational summaries of Social Work Licensure Compact status by state. Compact participation and eligibility depend on individual licensing history and state-specific rules that are still being finalized. Verify with your state's social work board and the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission before relying on anything here. Not affiliated with the Commission, ASWB, CSWE, NASW, or any state board.
Card A
Is West Virginia in the compact?
This state has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact and is a member jurisdiction. The compact is not operational yet, so multistate licenses are not being issued here.
Listed as a member on the Commission’s jurisdictions page. Enacted into law, but the compact is not yet operational — multistate licenses are not being issued yet anywhere.
Card B
Can you use it yet?
West Virginia is a member, but the Social Work Licensure Compact is not operational anywhere yet — no multistate licenses or practice privileges are being issued. As of October 31, 2026, no multistate licenses or practice privileges are being issued. The Commission's July 2026 update says multistate licenses are not yet available and estimates its data system for completion in Spring 2027; ASWB (May 2026) said implementation was likely within 9–12 months. Verify the current launch status with the Commission before relying on it.
Card C
What the privilege would enable
A multistate license (the compact “privilege”) is intended to let a social worker who holds a license in good standing in their compact home state practice in other member states without obtaining a separate license in each one — similar to how the nursing and physical-therapy compacts work.
Final eligibility rules are still being written by the Commission and are not yet in force. Based on the model legislation and analogous compacts, a social worker will generally need an active, unencumbered license in their home (residence) member state, must meet the education and examination requirements for the relevant practice level (bachelor’s, master’s, or clinical), and is expected to clear a background check. Specifics may change — always confirm with your home-state board and the Commission.
Card D
What to do next
There is nothing to apply for yet. When the compact becomes operational, social workers will apply for a multistate license through their home-state board under Commission rules. Watch the Commission for the operational-launch announcement and confirm requirements with the West Virginia social work licensing board before acting.
Other member states
33 states have enacted the compact. A few others:
Verified against the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission for West Virginia on October 31, 2026
Not yet professionally reviewed
SWCompactMap provides informational summaries of Social Work Licensure Compact status by state. Compact participation and eligibility depend on individual licensing history and state-specific rules that are still being finalized. Verify with your state's social work board and the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission before relying on anything here. Not affiliated with the Commission, ASWB, CSWE, NASW, or any state board.