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Bill Summary · SB 155

SB 155 — Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact (Summary)

Status: Reported Favorably, Committee Substitute (Reptd Fav Com Substitute)
Introduced: January 23, 2025 (filed in Senate Feb 25/26, 2025 in bill text)
Primary subject areas: compacts, licensing & certification, occupations, interstate cooperation, social services, social workers

Main purpose

SB 155 would add a new Social Worker Certification and Licensure Act (Chapter 90B, Article 1 and a new Article 2) and authorize the State to join an interstate Social Work Licensure Compact. The Compact is intended to facilitate interstate practice by creating a multistate licensing framework for social workers, improving access to services (including by telehealth), reducing duplicative licensing, and enhancing cooperation among state licensing authorities to protect public health and safety.

Key provisions (as drafted)

  • Creates the Social Worker Certification and Licensure Act and adds a new Article establishing the Social Work Licensure Compact (G.S. 90B‑20 et seq.).
  • Sets out Compact objectives: increase access to social work services, reduce multi‑license burdens, support workforce mobility (including military families), promote telehealth, and enable exchange of licensure/disciplinary information among member states.
  • Defines core terms used in the Compact, including: multistate license, multistate authorization to practice, home state, remote state, licensee, adverse action, current significant investigative information, data system, disqualifying event, and others (G.S. 90B‑21).
  • Authorizes a regulated social worker who holds a qualifying home‑state license to receive a multistate license/authorization that permits practice in other member states without separately obtaining individual state licenses (subject to Compact eligibility/requirements).
  • Establishes an interstate Compact Commission (the “Social Work Licensure Compact Commission”) as the membership body of participating states and empowers it to adopt rules, maintain a data system/repository (for licensure, investigative and disciplinary records), and promulgate standards.
  • Preserves state authority to regulate and discipline practitioners; allows remote states to take disciplinary action within their jurisdiction and requires information sharing among states and the Commission.
  • Includes provisions addressing eligibility criteria, adverse action reporting, and other enforcement/administrative mechanisms (detailed rules to be developed by the Commission).

Who would be affected

  • Licensed social workers (bachelor’s, master’s, clinical) who seek to practice across member states or provide telehealth across state lines.
  • State social work licensing boards (licensing authorities) responsible for implementing Compact provisions and reporting data.
  • Employers, health systems, and consumers who gain expanded access to cross‑state social work services.

Procedural / implementation notes

  • The bill adds state statutory authority to enter the Compact and to implement Compact obligations (creation of multistate licensing, participation in the Commission and its data systems).
  • The Compact’s detailed operational rules (eligibility thresholds, fees, Commission governance, and data standards) are typically developed by the interstate Commission after multiple states enact enabling legislation; those rules are not fully set out in the bill text.
  • Implementation will require the State licensing board to update processes (background checks, record reporting, fee structures) and to coordinate with the Compact Commission once formed.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Benefits: greater workforce mobility, simplified licensing for multistate practice, expanded telehealth access, and faster information exchange about discipline and investigations.
  • Costs/administration: one‑time and ongoing administrative costs for the State licensing board to participate in the Commission, maintain reporting to the Compact data system, and adjust licensing workflows; possible Commission membership dues or assessments.
  • Regulatory balance: the Compact preserves state regulatory authority while creating shared standards and interstate enforcement mechanisms; details and fiscal effects depend on Commission rules and the number of member states.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced/reported (Chapter 90B additions and Compact definitions). Many operational details (rules, fees, effective date triggers tied to Commission membership) are typically addressed later by the Compact Commission and implementing rules.

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

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