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.
Why do we need a Lobbyist?
Social workers are essential advocates for vulnerable populations and are particularly attuned to addressing systemic inequalities. However, to make lasting, large-scale change, they must influence policy at local, state, and national levels. This is where having a lobbyist becomes crucial in pushing forward legislative reforms that align with social work’s mission of social justice, equity, and service.
PSCW’s lobbyist serves as a professional advocate who understands the legislative process, builds relationships with policymakers, and effectively communicates our goals and concerns to those in power. One key role of our lobbyist is ensuring that the interests of our organization and the communities it serves are represented when policy and budgetary decisions are being made. Social workers often see firsthand how policies impact individuals and families, but without access to legislators or knowledge of how to navigate political systems, their experiences may go unheard. Our lobbyist makes sure that policies are informed by those impacted.
Additionally, laws and budgets change constantly, and a lobbyist helps our social work organization stay ahead of new developments that could impact funding, regulations, or service delivery. Whether it's securing funding for mental health programs, fighting harmful welfare reform proposals, or advocating for better child protection laws, our lobbyist keeps PSCSW in the loop and gives us a presence in Harrisburg.
In a landscape where many interest groups are vying for attention, a lobbyist ensures that the values and needs of social workers and their clients are not overlooked. Ultimately, having a lobbyist is about effectively and strategically advocating for the people who need it most.
We invite all social workers and social work students in Pennsylvania to contribute to our lobbying fund and join us for periodic updates on current policies in Pennsylvania.
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE PSCSW LOBBYING FUND