South Carolina § 40-63-550 - Multistate authorization to practice.

§ 40-63-550. Multistate authorization to practice.

(A) If qualified, a regulated social worker may hold an interstate compact license issued by a home state licensing authority, which authorizes the regulated social worker to practice in all member states under a multistate authorization to practice.

(B) If an interstate compact license holder with multistate authorization to practice changes primary state of domicile by moving between two member states:

(1) the interstate compact license holder shall file an application for obtaining a new home state license based on their interstate compact license which grants a multistate authorization to practice, pay all applicable fees, and notify the current and new home member state in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the commission; and

(2) upon receipt of an application for obtaining a new home state license based on the interstate compact license which grants a multistate authorization to practice, the new home member state may verify that the regulated social worker meets the pertinent criteria outlined in Section 40-63-540 via the data system, without need for primary source verification except for:

(i) a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint-based criminal background check if not previously performed or updated pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission in accordance with Public Law 92-544;

(ii) other criminal background check as required by the new home state; and

(iii) completion of any requisite jurisprudence requirements of the new home state.

(3) The former home state may convert the former home state license into a multistate authorization to practice once the new home state has activated the new home state license in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the commission.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this compact, if the regulated social worker cannot meet the criteria in Section 40-63-540, the new home state may apply its requirements for issuing a new single state license.

(5) The regulated social worker shall pay all applicable fees to the new home state in order to be issued a new home state license.

(C) If a regulated social worker changes primary state of domicile by moving from a member state to a nonmember state, the nonmember state criteria shall apply for issuance of a single state license in the new nonmember state.

(D) Nothing in this compact shall interfere with a regulated social worker's ability to hold a single state license in multiple states, however for the purposes of this compact, a regulated social worker shall have only one home state license.

(E) Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a member state for the issuance of a single state license.

HISTORY: 2025 Act No. 66 (H.3752), SECTION 2, eff May 22, 2025.

Editor's Note

2025 Act No. 66, SECTION 1, provides as follows:

"SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'Social Work Interstate Compact Act.'"