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H 380

An Act establishing the social work licensure compact in Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 27 co-sponsors

Massachusetts joins interstate compact allowing social workers to practice across multiple states under unified licensing standards rather than obtaining separate state licenses.

Accompanied a new draft, see H5272
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Bill Summary · H 380

Legislative bill overview

H 380 establishes a Social Work Licensure Compact in Massachusetts, creating an interstate agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The compact would streamline licensure requirements and create uniform standards for social work practice across member states.

Why is this important

Social workers increasingly work across state lines due to remote practice, telehealth services, and client mobility. Current licensing requirements force practitioners to obtain multiple licenses, increasing costs and administrative burdens while potentially limiting client access to services, particularly in rural or underserved areas. A compact would reduce barriers to interstate practice while maintaining professional standards through unified oversight mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory control and standards variation: Different states have varying educational requirements, continuing education standards, and disciplinary procedures. A compact requires reconciling these differences, potentially raising concerns that some states may adopt lower standards or that local oversight becomes diluted.
  • Consumer protection concerns: Critics may worry that streamlined licensing reduces state-specific consumer protections or makes it harder for individual states to investigate complaints and enforce local regulations against practitioners licensed elsewhere.
  • Implementation costs and bureaucracy: States must establish new administrative infrastructure and agreements to participate, raising questions about whether the operational efficiency gains justify setup and ongoing coordination costs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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