An Act to Enact the Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2140
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: CRAFTS, DHALAC, DOUDERA, KUHN, MURPHY, TALBOT ROSS

Legislative Document
No. 2140
H.P. 1364
House of Representatives, January 3, 2024
An Act to Enact the Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CRAFTS of Newcastle.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DHALAC of South Portland, DOUDERA of Camden, 
KUHN of Falmouth, MURPHY of Scarborough, Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
CONCEPT DRAFT
SUMMARY
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.  
This bill proposes to enact the Social Work Licensure Compact to facilitate the 
interstate practice of regulated social workers by improving public access to competent 
social work services. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of a state to protect 
public health and safety through that state's current system of state licensure and promote 
mobility and address workforce shortages by eliminating the necessity for licenses in 
multiple states by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses.  
The verbatim text of the Social Work Licensure Compact, which has not been edited 
to make necessary, nonsubstantive changes to conform to Maine legislative drafting 
standards, reads as follows.  
SECTION 1: PURPOSE 
The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of Regulated Social 
Workers by improving public access to competent Social Work Services. The Compact 
preserves the regulatory authority of States to protect public health and safety through the 
current system of State licensure. 
This Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: 
A. Increase public access to Social Work Services; 
B. Reduce overly burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with holding 
multiple licenses; 
C. Enhance the Member States’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety; 
D. Encourage the cooperation of Member States in regulating multistate practice; 
E. Promote mobility and address workforce shortages by eliminating the necessity for 
licenses in multiple States by providing for the mutual recognition of other Member 
State licenses; 
F. Support military families; 
G. Facilitate the exchange of licensure and disciplinary information among Member 
States; 
H. Authorize all Member States to hold a Regulated Social Worker accountable for 
abiding by a Member State’s laws, regulations, and applicable professional standards 
in the Member State in which the client is located at the time care is rendered; and 
I. Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate increased access to regulated Social Work 
Services. 
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS 
As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions 
shall apply: 
A. “Active Military Member” means any individual with full-time duty status in the 
active armed forces of the United States including members of the National Guard and 
Reserve. 
B. “Adverse Action” means any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action 
permitted by a State’s laws which is imposed by a Licensing Authority or other 
authority against a Regulated Social Worker, including actions against an individual’s 
license or Multistate Authorization to Practice such as revocation, suspension, 
probation, monitoring of the Licensee, limitation on the Licensee’s practice, or any 
other Encumbrance on licensure affecting a Regulated Social Worker’s authorization 
to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist action. 
C. “Alternative Program” means a non-disciplinary monitoring or practice remediation 
process approved by a Licensing Authority to address practitioners with an 
Impairment. 
D. “Charter Member States” - Member States who have enacted legislation to adopt 
this Compact where such legislation predates the effective date of this Compact as 
described in Section 14. 
E. “Compact Commission” or “Commission” means the government agency whose 
membership consists of all States that have enacted this Compact, which is known as 
the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, as described in Section 10, and 
which shall operate as an instrumentality of the Member States. 
F. “Current Significant Investigative Information” means: 
1. Investigative information that a Licensing Authority, after a preliminary inquiry 
that includes notification and an opportunity for the Regulated Social Worker to 
respond has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate 
more than a minor infraction as may be defined by the Commission; or 
2. Investigative information that indicates that the Regulated Social Worker 
represents an immediate threat to public health and safety, as may be defined by 
the Commission, regardless of whether the Regulated Social Worker has been 
notified and has had an opportunity to respond. 
G. “Data System” means a repository of information about Licensees, including, 
continuing education, examination, licensure, Current Significant Investigative 
Information, Disqualifying Event, Multistate License(s) and Adverse Action 
information or other information as required by the Commission. 
H. “Domicile” means the jurisdiction in which the Licensee resides and intends to 
remain indefinitely. 
I. “Disqualifying Event” means any Adverse Action or incident which results in an 
Encumbrance that disqualifies or makes the Licensee ineligible to either obtain, retain 
or renew a Multistate License. 
J. “Encumbrance” means a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full 
and unrestricted practice of Social Work licensed and regulated by a Licensing 
Authority. 
K. “Executive Committee” means a group of delegates elected or appointed to act on 
behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the compact and Commission. 
L. “Home State” means the Member State that is the Licensee’s primary Domicile. 
M. “Impairment” means a condition(s) that may impair a practitioner’s ability to 
engage in full and unrestricted practice as a Regulated Social Worker without some 
type of intervention and may include alcohol and drug dependence, mental health 
impairment, and neurological or physical impairments. 
N. “Licensee(s)” means an individual who currently holds a license from a State to 
practice as a Regulated Social Worker. 
O. “Licensing Authority” means the board or agency of a Member State, or equivalent, 
that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of Regulated Social Workers. 
P. “Member State” means a state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United 
States of America that has enacted this Compact. 
Q. “Multistate Authorization to Practice” means a legally authorized privilege to 
practice, which is equivalent to a license, associated with a Multistate License 
permitting the practice of Social Work in a Remote State. 
R. “Multistate License” means a license to practice as a Regulated Social Worker 
issued by a Home State Licensing Authority that authorizes the Regulated Social 
Worker to practice in all Member States under Multistate Authorization to Practice. 
S. “Qualifying National Exam” means a national licensing examination approved by 
the Commission. 
T. “Regulated Social Worker” means any clinical, master’s or bachelor’s Social 
Worker licensed by a Member State regardless of the title used by that Member State. 
U. “Remote State” means a Member State other than the Licensee’s Home State. 
V. “Rule(s)” or “Rule(s) of the Commission” means a regulation or regulations duly 
promulgated by the Commission, as authorized by the Compact, that has the force of 
law. 
W. “Single State License” means a Social Work license issued by any State that 
authorizes practice only within the issuing State and does not include Multistate 
Authorization to Practice in any Member State. 
X. “Social Work” or “Social Work Services” means the application of social work 
theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or 
enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, 
families, groups, organizations, and communities through the care and services 
provided by a Regulated Social Worker as set forth in the Member State’s statutes and 
regulations in the State where the services are being provided. 
Y. “State” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of 
America that regulates the practice of Social Work. 
Z. “Unencumbered License” means a license that authorizes a Regulated Social 
Worker to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of Social Work. 
SECTION 3. STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT 
A. To be eligible to participate in the compact, a potential Member State must currently 
meet all of the following criteria: 
1. License and regulate the practice of Social Work at either the clinical, master’s, 
or bachelor’s category. 
2. Require applicants for licensure to graduate from a program that is: 
a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority; 
b. Accredited, or in candidacy by an institution that subsequently becomes 
accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized by either: 
i. the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor; or 
ii. the United States Department of Education; and 
c. Corresponds to the licensure sought as outlined in Section 4. 
3. Require applicants for clinical licensure to complete a period of supervised 
practice. 
4. Have a mechanism in place for receiving, investigating, and adjudicating 
complaints about Licensees. 
B. To maintain membership in the Compact a Member State shall: 
1. Require that applicants for a Multistate License pass a Qualifying National Exam 
for the corresponding category of Multistate License sought as outlined in Section 
4. 
2. Participate fully in the Commission’s Data System, including using the 
Commission’s unique identifier as defined in Rules; 
3. Notify the Commission, in compliance with the terms of the Compact and Rules, 
of any Adverse Action or the availability of Current Significant Investigative 
Information regarding a Licensee; 
4. Implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants 
for a Multistate License. Such procedures shall include the submission of 
fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of 
obtaining an applicant’s criminal history record information from the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that State’s 
criminal records. 
5. Comply with the Rules of the Commission; 
6. Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in the Home State and meet the 
Home State’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as all 
other applicable Home State laws; 
7. Authorize a Licensee holding a Multistate License in any Member State to 
practice in accordance with the terms of the Compact and Rules of the 
Commission; and 
8. Designate a delegate to participate in the Commission meetings. 
C. A Member State meeting the requirements of Section 3.A and 3.B of this Compact 
shall designate the categories of Social Work licensure that are eligible for issuance of 
a Multistate License for applicants in such Member State. To the extent that any 
Member State does not meet the requirements for participation in the Compact at any 
particular category of Social Work licensure, such Member State may choose, but is 
not obligated to, issue a Multistate License to applicants that otherwise meet the 
requirements of Section 4 for issuance of a Multistate License in such category or 
categories of licensure.
D. The Home State may charge a fee for granting the Multistate License. 
SECTION 4. SOCIAL WORKER PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT 
A. To be eligible for a Multistate License under the terms and provisions of the 
Compact, an applicant, regardless of category must: 
1. Hold or be eligible for an active, Unencumbered License in the Home State; 
2. Pay any applicable fees, including any State fee, for the Multistate License; 
3. Submit, in connection with an application for a Multistate License, fingerprints 
or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record 
information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible 
for retaining that State’s criminal records. 
4. Notify the Home State of any Adverse Action, Encumbrance, or restriction on 
any professional license taken by any Member State or non-Member State within 
days from the date the action is taken. 
5. Meet any continuing competence requirements established by the Home State; 
6. Abide by the laws, regulations, and applicable standards in the Member State 
where the client is located at the time care is rendered. 
B. An applicant for a clinical-category Multistate License must meet all of the 
following requirements: 
1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either: 
a. Passage of a clinical-category Qualifying National Exam; or 
b. Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at the clinical category, 
beginning prior to such time as a Qualifying National Exam was required by 
the Home State and accompanied by a period of continuous Social Work 
licensure thereafter, all of which may be further governed by the Rules of the 
Commission; or 
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements 
which the Commission may determine by Rule. 
2. Attain at least a master’s degree in Social Work from a program that is: 
a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority; 
and 
b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by an 
accrediting agency recognized by either: 
i. the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor; or 
ii. the United States Department of Education. 
3. Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be satisfied by demonstrating 
completion of either: 
a. A period of postgraduate supervised clinical practice equal to a minimum of 
three thousand hours; or 
b. A minimum of two years of full-time postgraduate supervised clinical 
practice; or 
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing practice requirements which 
the Commission may determine by Rule. 
C. An applicant for a master’s-category Multistate License must meet all of the 
following requirements: 
1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either: 
a. Passage of a masters-category Qualifying National Exam; 
b. Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at the master’s category, 
beginning prior to such time as a Qualifying National Exam was required by 
the Home State at the master’s category and accompanied by a continuous 
period of Social Work licensure thereafter, all of which may be further 
governed by the Rules of the Commission; or 
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements 
which the Commission may determine by Rule. 
2. Attain at least a master’s degree in Social Work from a program that is: 
a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority; 
and 
b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by an 
accrediting agency recognized by either: 
i. the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor; or 
ii. the United States Department of Education. 
D. An applicant for a bachelor’s-category Multistate License must meet all of the 
following requirements: 
1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either: 
a. Passage of a bachelor’s-category Qualifying National Exam; 
b. Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at the bachelor’s category, 
beginning prior to such time as a Qualifying National Exam was required by 
the Home State and accompanied by a period of continuous Social Work 
licensure thereafter, all of which may be further governed by the Rules of the 
Commission; or 
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements 
which the Commission may determine by Rule. 
2. Attain at least a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a program that is: 
a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority; 
and 
b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by an 
accrediting agency recognized by either: 
i. the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor; or 
ii. the United States Department of Education. 
E. The Multistate License for a Regulated Social Worker is subject to the renewal 
requirements of the Home State. The Regulated Social Worker must maintain 
compliance with the requirements of Section 4(A) to be eligible to renew a Multistate 
License. 
F. The Regulated Social Worker’s services in a Remote State are subject to that 
Member State’s regulatory authority. A Remote State may, in accordance with due 
process and that Member State’s laws, remove a Regulated Social Worker’s Multistate 
Authorization to Practice in the Remote State for a specific period of time, impose 
fines, and take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its 
citizens.
G. If a Multistate License is encumbered, the Regulated Social Worker’s Multistate 
Authorization to Practice shall be deactivated in all Remote States until the Multistate 
License is no longer encumbered. 
H. If a Multistate Authorization to Practice is encumbered in a Remote State, the 
regulated Social Worker’s Multistate Authorization to Practice may be deactivated in 
that State until the Multistate Authorization to Practice is no longer encumbered. 
SECTION 5: ISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE LICENSE 
A. Upon receipt of an application for Multistate License, the Home State Licensing 
Authority shall determine the applicant’s eligibility for a Multistate License in 
accordance with Section 4 of this Compact. 
B. If such applicant is eligible pursuant to Section 4 of this Compact, the Home State 
Licensing Authority shall issue a Multistate License that authorizes the applicant or 
Regulated Social Worker to practice in all Member States under a Multistate 
Authorization to Practice. 
C. Upon issuance of a Multistate License, the Home State Licensing Authority shall 
designate whether the Regulated Social Worker holds a Multistate License in the 
Bachelors, Masters, or Clinical category of Social Work. 
D. A Multistate License issued by a Home State to a resident in that State shall be 
recognized by all Compact Member States as authorizing Social Work Practice under 
a Multistate Authorization to Practice corresponding to each category of licensure 
regulated in each Member State. 
SECTION 6: AUTHORITY OF INTERSTATE COMPACT COMMISSION AND 
MEMBER STATE LICENSING AUTHORITIES 
A. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed to 
limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Member State to enact and enforce 
laws, regulations, or other rules related to the practice of Social Work in that State, 
where those laws, regulations, or other rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Compact. 
B. Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements established by a Member State 
for the issuance of a Single State License. 
C. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed to 
limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Member State to take Adverse 
Action against a Licensee’s Single State License to practice Social Work in that State. 
D. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed to 
limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Remote State to take Adverse Action 
against a Licensee’s Multistate Authorization to Practice in that State. 
E. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed to 
limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Licensee’s Home State to take 
Adverse Action against a Licensee’s Multistate License based upon information 
provided by a Remote State. 
SECTION 7: REISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE LICENSE BY A NEW HOME 
STATE 
A. A Licensee can hold a Multistate License, issued by their Home State, in only one 
Member State at any given time. 
B. If a Licensee changes their Home State by moving between two Member States: 
1. The Licensee shall immediately apply for the reissuance of their Multistate 
License in their new Home State. The Licensee shall pay all applicable fees and 
notify the prior Home State in accordance with the Rules of the Commission. 
2. Upon receipt of an application to reissue a Multistate License, the new Home 
State shall verify that the Multistate License is active, unencumbered and eligible 
for reissuance under the terms of the Compact and the Rules of the Commission. 
The Multistate License issued by the prior Home State will be deactivated and all 
Member States notified in accordance with the applicable Rules adopted by the 
Commission. 
3. Prior to the reissuance of the Multistate License, the new Home State shall 
conduct procedures for considering the criminal history records of the Licensee. 
Such procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-
based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant’s 
criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 
the agency responsible for retaining that State’s criminal records. 
4. If required for initial licensure, the new Home State may require completion of 
jurisprudence requirements in the new Home State. 
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Compact, if a Licensee does not 
meet the requirements set forth in this Compact for the reissuance of a Multistate 
License by the new Home State, then the Licensee shall be subject to the new Home 
State requirements for the issuance of a Single State License in that State. 
C. If a Licensee changes their primary State of residence by moving from a Member 
State to a non-Member State, or from a non-Member State to a Member State, then the 
Licensee shall be subject to the State requirements for the issuance of a Single State 
License in the new Home State. 
D. Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with a Licensee’s ability to hold a Single 
State License in multiple States; however, for the purposes of this Compact, a Licensee 
shall have only one Home State, and only one Multistate License. 
E. Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with the requirements established by a 
Member State for the issuance of a Single State License. 
SECTION 8. MILITARY FAMILIES 
An Active Military Member or their spouse shall designate a Home State where the 
individual has a Multistate License. The individual may retain their Home State designation 
during the period the service member is on active duty. 
SECTION 9. ADVERSE ACTIONS 
A. In addition to the other powers conferred by State law, a Remote State shall have 
the authority, in accordance with existing State due process law, to: 
1. Take Adverse Action against a Regulated Social Worker’s Multistate 
Authorization to Practice only within that Member State, and issue subpoenas for 
both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of 
witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a Licensing 
Authority in a Member State for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the 
production of evidence from another Member State shall be enforced in the latter 
State by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and 
procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending 
before it. The issuing Licensing Authority shall pay any witness fees, travel 
expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the State in 
which the witnesses or evidence are located. 
2. Only the Home State shall have the power to take Adverse Action against a 
Regulated Social Worker’s Multistate License. 
B. For purposes of taking Adverse Action, the Home State shall give the same priority 
and effect to reported conduct received from a Member State as it would if the conduct 
had occurred within the Home State. In so doing, the Home State shall apply its own 
State laws to determine appropriate action. 
C. The Home State shall complete any pending investigations of a Regulated Social 
Worker who changes their Home State during the course of the investigations. The 
Home State shall also have the authority to take appropriate action(s) and shall 
promptly report the conclusions of the investigations to the administrator of the Data 
System. The administrator of the Data System shall promptly notify the new Home 
State of any Adverse Actions. 
D. A Member State, if otherwise permitted by State law, may recover from the affected 
Regulated Social Worker the costs of investigations and dispositions of cases resulting 
from any Adverse Action taken against that Regulated Social Worker. 
E. A Member State may take Adverse Action based on the factual findings of another 
Member State, provided that the Member State follows its own procedures for taking 
the Adverse Action. 
F. Joint Investigations: 
1. In addition to the authority granted to a Member State by its respective Social 
Work practice act or other applicable State law, any Member State may participate 
with other Member States in joint investigations of Licensees. 
2. Member States shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials 
in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the Compact. 
G. If Adverse Action is taken by the Home State against the Multistate License of a 
Regulated Social Worker, the Regulated Social Worker’s Multistate Authorization to 
Practice in all other Member States shall be deactivated until all Encumbrances have 
been removed from the Multistate License. All Home State disciplinary orders that 
impose Adverse Action against the license of a Regulated Social Worker shall include 
a statement that the Regulated Social Worker’s Multistate Authorization to Practice is 
deactivated in all Member States until all conditions of the decision, order or agreement 
are satisfied. 
H. If a Member State takes Adverse Action, it shall promptly notify the administrator 
of the Data System. The administrator of the Data System shall promptly notify the 
Home State and all other Member State’s of any Adverse Actions by Remote States. 
I. Nothing in this Compact shall override a Member State’s decision that participation 
in an Alternative Program may be used in lieu of Adverse Action. 
J. Nothing in this Compact shall authorize a Member State to demand the issuance of 
subpoenas for attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence 
from another Member State for lawful actions within that Member State. 
K. Nothing in this Compact shall authorize a Member State to impose discipline against 
a Regulated Social Worker who holds a Multistate Authorization to Practice for lawful 
actions within another Member State. 
SECTION 10. ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT 
COMMISSION 
A. The Compact Member States hereby create and establish a joint government agency 
whose membership consists of all Member States that have enacted the compact known 
as the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission. The Commission is an 
instrumentality of the Compact States acting jointly and not an instrumentality of any 
one State. The Commission shall come into existence on or after the effective date of 
the Compact as set forth in Section 14. 
B. Membership, Voting, and Meetings 
1. Each Member State shall have and be limited to one (1) delegate selected by that 
Member State’s Licensing Authority. 
2. The delegate shall be either: 
a. A current member of the Licensing Authority at the time of appointment, 
who is a Regulated Social Worker or public member of the State Licensing 
Authority; or 
b. An administrator of the Licensing Authority or their designee. 
3. The Commission shall by Rule or bylaw establish a term of office for delegates 
and may by Rule or bylaw establish term limits. 
4. The Commission may recommend removal or suspension of any delegate from 
office. 
5. A Member State’s Licensing Authority shall fill any vacancy of its delegate 
occurring on the Commission within 60 days of the vacancy. 
6. Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote on all matters before the Commission 
requiring a vote by Commission delegates. 
7. A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. 
The bylaws may provide for delegates to meet by telecommunication, 
videoconference, or other means of communication. 
8. The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional 
meetings may be held as set forth in the bylaws. The Commission may meet by 
telecommunication, video conference or other similar electronic means. 
C. The Commission shall have the following powers: 
1. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission; 
2. Establish code of conduct and conflict of interest policies; 
3. Establish and amend Rules and bylaws; 
4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws; 
5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Compact, 
the Commission’s Rules, and the bylaws; 
6. Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions in the name of the 
Commission, provided that the standing of any Licensing Authority to sue or be 
sued under applicable law shall not be affected; 
7. Maintain and certify records and information provided to a Member State as the 
authenticated business records of the Commission, and designate an agent to do so 
on the Commission's behalf; 
8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds; 
9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited 
to, employees of a Member State; 
10. Conduct an annual financial review 
11. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant 
such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact, 
and establish the Commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to 
conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel 
matters; 
12. Assess and collect fees; 
13. Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations, grants of money, other sources 
of revenue, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and 
dispose of the same; provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any 
appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest; 
14. Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, 
or mixed, or any undivided interest therein; 
15. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose 
of any property real, personal, or mixed; 
16. Establish a budget and make expenditures; 
17. Borrow money; 
18. Appoint committees, including standing committees, composed of members, 
State regulators, State legislators or their representatives, and consumer 
representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in this 
Compact and the bylaws; 
19. Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement 
agencies; 
20. Establish and elect an Executive Committee, including a chair and a vice chair; 
21. Determine whether a State’s adopted language is materially different from the 
model compact language such that the State would not qualify for participation in 
the Compact; and 
22. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the 
purposes of this Compact. 
D. The Executive Committee 
1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the 
Commission according to the terms of this Compact. The powers, duties, and 
responsibilities of the Executive Committee shall include: 
a. Oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact 
including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its 
Rules and bylaws, and other such duties as deemed necessary; 
b. Recommend to the Commission changes to the Rules or bylaws, changes to 
this Compact legislation, fees charged to Compact Member States, fees 
charged to Licensees, and other fees; 
c. Ensure Compact administration services are appropriately provided, 
including by contract; 
d. Prepare and recommend the budget; 
e. Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission; 
f. Monitor Compact compliance of Member States and provide compliance 
reports to the Commission; 
g. Establish additional committees as necessary; 
h. Exercise the powers and duties of the Commission during the interim 
between Commission meetings, except for adopting or amending Rules, 
adopting or amending bylaws, and exercising any other powers and duties 
expressly reserved to the Commission by Rule or bylaw; and 
i. Other duties as provided in the Rules or bylaws of the Commission. 
2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of up to eleven (11) members: 
a. The chair and vice chair of the Commission shall be voting members of the 
Executive Committee; and 
b. The Commission shall elect five voting members from the current 
membership of the Commission. 
c. Up to four (4) ex-officio, nonvoting members from four (4) recognized 
national Social Work organizations. 
d. The ex-officio members will be selected by their respective organizations. 
3. The Commission may remove any member of the Executive Committee as 
provided in the Commission’s bylaws. 
4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually. 
a. Executive Committee meetings shall be open to the public, except that the 
Executive Committee may meet in a closed, non-public meeting as provided 
in subsection F.2 below. 
b. The Executive Committee shall give seven (7) days’ notice of its meetings, 
posted on its website and as determined to provide notice to persons with an 
interest in the business of the Commission. 
c. The Executive Committee may hold a special meeting in accordance with 
subsection F.1.b. below. 
E. The Commission shall adopt and provide to the Member States an annual report. 
F. Meetings of the Commission 
1. All meetings shall be open to the public, except that the Commission may meet 
in a closed, non-public meeting as provided in subsection F.2 below. 
a. Public notice for all meetings of the full Commission of meetings shall be 
given in the same manner as required under the Rulemaking provisions in 
Section 12, except that the Commission may hold a special meeting as 
provided in subsection F.1.b. below. 
b. The Commission may hold a special meeting when it must meet to conduct 
emergency business by giving 48 hours’ notice to all commissioners, on the 
Commission’s website, and other means as provided in the Commission’s 
Rules. The Commission’s legal counsel shall certify that the Commission’s 
need to meet qualifies as an emergency. 
2. The Commission or the Executive Committee or other committees of the 
Commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting for the Commission or 
Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission to receive legal 
advice or to discuss: 
a. Non-compliance of a Member State with its obligations under the Compact; 
b. The employment, compensation, discipline or other matters, practices or 
procedures related to specific employees; 
c. Current or threatened discipline of a Licensee by the Commission or by a 
Member State’s Licensing Authority; 
d. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation; 
e. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, 
or real estate; 
f. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person; 
g. Trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or 
confidential; 
h. Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly 
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; 
i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; 
j. Information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of 
or for use of the Commission or other committee charged with responsibility 
of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the 
Compact; 
k. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or Member State 
law; or 
l. Other matters as promulgated by the Commission by Rule. 
3. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the presiding officer shall state that the 
meeting will be closed and reference each relevant exempting provision, and such reference 
shall be recorded in the minutes. 
4. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed 
in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons 
therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in 
connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of 
a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release only by a majority vote of the 
Commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction. 
G. Financing of the Commission 
1. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable 
expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities. 
2. The Commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources as 
provided in subsection C (13). 
3. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each 
Member State and impose fees on Licensees of Member States to whom it grants 
a Multistate License to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the 
Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its 
annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other 
sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount for Member States shall be 
allocated based upon a formula that the Commission shall promulgate by Rule. 
4. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the 
funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of 
any of the Member States, except by and with the authority of the Member State. 
5. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. 
The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to the financial 
review and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all 
receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be subject 
to an annual financial review by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the 
report of the financial review shall be included in and become part of the annual 
report of the Commission. 
H. Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification 
1. The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the 
Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and in their 
official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury 
or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or 
omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a 
reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission 
employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph 
shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, 
loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct 
of that person. The procurement of insurance of any type by the Commission shall 
not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder. 
2. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, 
employee, and representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to 
impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that 
occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, 
or as determined by the Commission that the person against whom the claim is 
made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of 
Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein 
shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining their own counsel at their 
own expense; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission 
did not result from that person’s intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. 
3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, 
executive director, employee, and representative of the Commission for the amount 
of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual 
or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission 
employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis 
for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or 
responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not 
result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. 
4. Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the liability of any Licensee 
for professional malpractice or misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any 
other applicable State laws. 
5. Nothing in this Compact shall be interpreted to waive or otherwise abrogate a 
Member State’s state action immunity or state action affirmative defense with 
respect to antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any other State 
or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation. 
6. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity 
by the Member States or by the Commission. 
SECTION 11. DATA SYSTEM 
A. The Commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation, and 
utilization of a coordinated Data System. 
B. The Commission shall assign each applicant for a Multistate License a unique 
identifier, as determined by the Rules of the Commission. 
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, a Member State 
shall submit a uniform data set to the Data System on all individuals to whom this 
Compact is applicable as required by the Rules of the Commission, including: 
1. Identifying information; 
2. Licensure data; 
3. Adverse Actions against a license and information related thereto; 
4. Non-confidential information related to Alternative Program participation, the 
beginning and ending dates of such participation, and other information related to 
such participation not made confidential under Member State law; 
5. Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) for such denial; 
6. The presence of Current Significant Investigative Information; and 
7. Other information that may facilitate the administration of this Compact or the 
protection of the public, as determined by the Rules of the Commission. 
D. The records and information provided to a Member State pursuant to this Compact 
or through the Data System, when certified by the Commission or an agent thereof, 
shall constitute the authenticated business records of the Commission, and shall be 
entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any relevant judicial, quasi-judicial or 
administrative proceedings in a Member State. 
E. Current Significant Investigative Information pertaining to a Licensee in any 
Member State will only be available to other Member States. 
1. It is the responsibility of the Member States to report any Adverse Action against 
a Licensee and to monitor the database to determine whether Adverse Action has 
been taken against a Licensee. Adverse Action information pertaining to a 
Licensee in any Member State will be available to any other Member State. 
F. Member States contributing information to the Data System may designate 
information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of 
the contributing State. 
G. Any information submitted to the Data System that is subsequently expunged 
pursuant to federal law or the laws of the Member State contributing the information 
shall be removed from the Data System. 
SECTION 12. RULEMAKING 
A. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable Rules in order to effectively and 
efficiently implement and administer the purposes and provisions of the Compact. A 
Rule shall be invalid and have no force or effect only if a court of competent 
jurisdiction holds that the Rule is invalid because the Commission exercised its 
rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope and purposes of the 
Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable standard 
of review. 
B. The Rules of the Commission shall have the force of law in each Member State, 
provided however that where the Rules of the Commission conflict with the laws of 
the Member State that establish the Member State’s laws, regulations, and applicable 
standards that govern the practice of Social Work as held by a court of competent 
jurisdiction, the Rules of the Commission shall be ineffective in that State to the extent 
of the conflict. 
C. The Commission shall exercise its Rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set 
forth in this Section and the Rules adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding on 
the day following adoption or the date specified in the rule or amendment, whichever 
is later. 
D. If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States rejects a Rule or portion of a 
Rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the 
Compact within four (4) years of the date of adoption of the Rule, then such Rule shall 
have no further force and effect in any Member State. 
E. Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the Commission. 
F. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission shall hold a public hearing 
and allow persons to provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and 
arguments. 
G. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule by the Commission, and at least thirty (30) 
days in advance of the meeting at which the Commission will hold a public hearing on 
the proposed Rule, the Commission shall provide a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: 
1. On the website of the Commission or other publicly accessible platform; 
2. To persons who have requested notice of the Commission’s notices of proposed 
rulemaking, and 
3. In such other way(s) as the Commission may by Rule specify. 
H. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include: 
1. The time, date, and location of the public hearing at which the Commission will 
hear public comments on the proposed Rule and, if different, the time, date, and 
location of the meeting where the Commission will consider and vote on the 
proposed Rule; 
2. If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video conference, or other 
electronic means, the Commission shall include the mechanism for access to the 
hearing in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; 
3. The text of the proposed Rule and the reason therefor; 
4. A request for comments on the proposed Rule from any interested person; and 
5. The manner in which interested persons may submit written comments. 
I. All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording and all written comments and 
documents received by the Commission in response to the proposed Rule shall be 
available to the public. 
J. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each 
Rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at hearings 
required by this section. 
K. The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the 
proposed Rule based on the Rulemaking record and the full text of the Rule. 
1. The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed Rule provided the changes 
do not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed Rule. 
2. The Commission shall provide an explanation of the reasons for substantive 
changes made to the proposed Rule as well as reasons for substantive changes not 
made that were recommended by commenters. 
3. The Commission shall determine a reasonable effective date for the Rule. Except 
for an emergency as provided in Section 12.L, the effective date of the rule shall 
be no sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that it adopted or amended the 
Rule. 
L. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and 
adopt an emergency Rule with 48 hours’ notice, with opportunity to comment, 
provided that the usual Rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this 
section shall be retroactively applied to the Rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no 
event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the Rule. For the purposes 
of this provision, an emergency Rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order 
to: 
1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare; 
2. Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds; 
3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a Rule that is established by federal law 
or rule; or 
4. Protect public health and safety. 
M. The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may direct 
revisions to a previously adopted Rule for purposes of correcting typographical errors, 
errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any 
revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission. The revision shall be 
subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) days after posting. The 
revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material 
change to a Rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the 
Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision 
will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may 
not take effect without the approval of the Commission. 
N. No Member State’s rulemaking requirements shall apply under this compact. 
SECTION 13. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT 
A. Oversight 
1. The executive and judicial branches of State government in each Member State 
shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to 
implement the Compact. 
2. Except as otherwise provided in this Compact, venue is proper and judicial 
proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively 
in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission 
is located. The Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the 
extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution 
proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue 
in any action against a Licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct or any 
such similar matter. 
3. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding 
regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the Compact and shall have standing 
to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the 
Commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the 
Commission, this Compact, or promulgated Rules. 
B. Default, Technical Assistance, and Termination 
1. If the Commission determines that a Member State has defaulted in the 
performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the 
promulgated Rules, the Commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting 
State. The notice of default shall describe the default, the proposed means of curing 
the default, and any other action that the Commission may take, and shall offer 
training and specific technical assistance regarding the default. 
2. The Commission shall provide a copy of the notice of default to the other 
Member States. 
C. If a State in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting State may be terminated 
from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates of the 
Member States, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred on that State by this 
Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default 
does not relieve the offending State of obligations or liabilities incurred during the 
period of default. 
D. Termination of membership in the Compact shall be imposed only after all other 
means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or 
terminate shall be given by the Commission to the governor, the majority and minority 
leaders of the defaulting State’s legislature, the defaulting State’s State Licensing 
Authority and each of the Member States’ Licensing Authority. 
E. A State that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and 
liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that 
extend beyond the effective date of termination. 
F. Upon the termination of a State’s membership from this Compact, that State shall 
immediately provide notice to all Licensees within that State of such termination. The 
terminated State shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to this 
Compact for a minimum of six (6) months after the date of said notice of termination. 
G. The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a State that is found to be in 
default or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing 
between the Commission and the defaulting State. 
H. The defaulting State may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the 
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the 
Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs 
of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. 
I. Dispute Resolution 
1. Upon request by a Member State, the Commission shall attempt to resolve 
disputes related to the Compact that arise among Member States and between 
Member and non-Member States. 
2. The Commission shall promulgate a Rule providing for both mediation and 
binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate. 
J. Enforcement 
1. By majority vote as provided by Rule, the Commission may initiate legal action 
against a Member State in default in the United States District Court for the District 
of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices 
to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated 
Rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the 
event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all 
costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. The remedies herein 
shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission. The Commission may 
pursue any other remedies available under federal or the defaulting Member State’s 
law. 
2. A Member State may initiate legal action against the Commission in the U.S. 
District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the 
Commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of 
the Compact and its promulgated Rules. The relief sought may include both 
injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the 
prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable 
attorney’s fees. 
3. No person other than a Member State shall enforce this compact against the 
Commission. 
SECTION 14. EFFECTIVE DATE, WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT 
A. The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact statute is 
enacted into law in the seventh Member State. 
1. On or after the effective date of the Compact, the Commission shall convene and 
review the enactment of each of the first seven Member States (“Charter Member 
States”) to determine if the statute enacted by each such Charter Member State is 
materially different than the model Compact statute. 
a. A Charter Member State whose enactment is found to be materially different 
from the model Compact statute shall be entitled to the default process set forth 
in Section 13. 
b. If any Member State is later found to be in default, or is terminated or 
withdraws from the Compact, the Commission shall remain in existence and 
the Compact shall remain in effect even if the number of Member States should 
be less than seven. 
2. Member States enacting the Compact subsequent to the seven initial Charter 
Member States shall be subject to the process set forth in Section 10(C)(21) to 
determine if their enactments are materially different from the model Compact 
statute and whether they qualify for participation in the Compact. 
3. All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the 
purposes of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of the 
Compact or the Commission coming into existence shall be considered to be 
actions of the Commission unless specifically repudiated by the Commission. 
4. Any State that joins the Compact subsequent to the Commission’s initial 
adoption of the Rules and bylaws shall be subject to the Rules and bylaws as they 
exist on the date on which the Compact becomes law in that State. Any Rule that 
has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full force and effect 
of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that State. 
B. Any Member State may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing 
the same. 
1. A Member State’s withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after enactment 
of the repealing statute. 
2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing 
State’s Licensing Authority to comply with the investigative and Adverse Action 
reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal. 
3. Upon the enactment of a statute withdrawing from this compact, a State shall 
immediately provide notice of such withdrawal to all Licensees within that State. 
Notwithstanding any subsequent statutory enactment to the contrary, such 
withdrawing State shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to this 
compact for a minimum of 180 days after the date of such notice of withdrawal. 
C. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any 
licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a Member State and a 
non-Member State that does not conflict with the provisions of this Compact. 
D. This Compact may be amended by the Member States. No amendment to this 
Compact shall become effective and binding upon any Member State until it is enacted 
into the laws of all Member States. 
SECTION 15. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY 
A. This Compact and the Commission’s rulemaking authority shall be liberally 
construed so as to effectuate the purposes, and the implementation and administration 
of the Compact. Provisions of the Compact expressly authorizing or requiring the 
promulgation of Rules shall not be construed to limit the Commission’s rulemaking 
authority solely for those purposes. 
B. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence 
or provision of this Compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary 
to the constitution of any Member State, a State seeking participation in the Compact, 
or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person 
or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the 
validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any other 
government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. 
C. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, the Commission may deny a State’s 
participation in the Compact or, in accordance with the requirements of Section 13.B, 
terminate a Member State’s participation in the Compact, if it determines that a 
constitutional requirement of a Member State is a material departure from the Compact. 
Otherwise, if this Compact shall be held to be contrary to the constitution of any 
Member State, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining 
Member States and in full force and effect as to the Member State affected as to all 
severable matters. 
SECTION 16. CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE 
LAWS 
A. A Licensee providing services in a Remote State under a Multistate Authorization 
to Practice shall adhere to the laws and regulations, including laws, regulations, and 
applicable standards, of the Remote State where the client is located at the time care is 
rendered. 
B. Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of a 
Member State that is not inconsistent with the Compact. 
C. Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a Member State in 
conflict with the Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. 
D. All permissible agreements between the Commission and the Member States are 
binding in accordance with their terms.