MarylandHB 03452025 Regular SessionHouse

Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

Social worker discipline crosses state lines

Only the home state can discipline the multistate license; other member states can restrict practice within their own borders. A restriction on the multistate license stops authorization in all other member states until that restriction is removed. States can jointly investigate, share findings, issue subpoenas, and impose discipline, including fines, while following applicable state procedures and due-process protections. When state law allows, a state can recover investigation and case-resolution costs after an adverse action. Commission-certified records qualify as authenticated business records and receive the related evidence exception in court and administrative proceedings.

Social workers face multistate license requirements

Bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical multistate licenses are available to workers holding or qualifying for an active, unrestricted home-state license. Applicants need a qualifying social work degree and must meet national-exam or other allowed competency standards. Clinical applicants need at least a qualifying master’s degree, plus 3,000 postgraduate supervised clinical hours or two full-time postgraduate supervised years. A Commission-approved equivalent can satisfy the clinical practice requirement; prior home-state clinical licensure can demonstrate competency. Applicants must provide fingerprints or other biometrics for FBI and state checks and pay applicable fees. Licensees must report adverse license actions or restrictions within 30 days and meet home-state renewal and continuing-competence rules.

Social workers gain interstate practice rights

A home-state multistate license lets social workers serve clients across participating states, including through telehealth. Workers must follow the laws and practice standards where their client is located when services are provided. Workers can hold only one multistate license and must immediately apply for reissuance when moving to another member state. Moving requires fees and criminal-history procedures; workers who do not qualify must obtain a single-state license instead. Active-duty service members and their spouses can designate and keep a home state for licensing during active duty.

State exits limit social workers’ licenses

Maryland’s law sets October 1, 2025, as its effective date, subject to six other states enacting substantially similar laws. States must enforce the Compact and meet licensing, complaint-handling, exam, background-check, data-sharing, and Commission requirements. States can participate in selected license categories and keep single-state licensing. Termination requires an uncured default, exhausted compliance efforts, and a majority vote of member-state delegates. A terminated state must promptly notify licensees and recognize Compact-granted licenses for at least six months after notice. Voluntary withdrawal takes effect 180 days after repeal, with license recognition continuing for 180 days after withdrawal notice. Departing states remain responsible for assessments and obligations incurred through termination.

Social workers face multistate license fees

Home states can charge a fee to grant a multistate social work license. The Compact Commission can also charge multistate license holders and assess member states each year. These charges fund its approved annual budget only to the extent other revenue does not cover it. Commission rules divide the state assessments, and the law sets no fee amounts.

Shared social worker records include privacy safeguards

The Commission must maintain a shared licensing data system and give each multistate applicant a unique identifier. States must submit identity and license information, disciplinary actions, denial reasons, significant investigation information, and nonconfidential alternative-program records. Significant investigation information is available only to member states, and contributing states can block public sharing without express permission. The Commission must remove information later expunged under federal law or the contributing state’s law.

Interstate commission sets social work rules

A joint interstate Commission administers the Compact, sets budgets, hires staff, accepts grants and gifts, and adopts binding rules. Rulemaking includes public notice and comment, with expedited emergency rules for imminent threats or federal deadlines. Courts can find Commission rules unenforceable when they conflict with state social work laws, regulations, or practice standards. A majority of member-state legislatures can reject a rule across all member states within four years after adoption. The Compact itself overrides state requirements only where they conflict with it. Commission personnel receive civil-liability protection, legal defense, and indemnification for covered duties, excluding intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct. The Compact preserves licensees’ malpractice liability and states’ sovereign immunity; specified federal courts can hear Compact enforcement disputes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kenneth Kerr
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Tiffany T. Alston
Democratic • House
Heather Bagnall
Democratic • House
Harry Bhandari
Democratic • House
Bonnie Cullison
Democratic • House
Pam Lanman Guzzone
Democratic • House
Terri L. Hill
Democratic • House
Thomas S. Hutchinson
Republican • House
Anne R. Kaiser
Democratic • House
Lesley J. Lopez
Democratic • House
Ashanti Martinez
Democratic • House
Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk
Democratic • House
Steve Johnson
Democratic • House
Jennifer White Holland
Democratic • House
Jamila J. Woods
Democratic • House
Teresa Woorman
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 165 • No: 19

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2025