AR HB1712

Arkansas joins the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers holding a multistate license to practice across all member states without obtaining separate licenses in each state

Three categories of multistate licenses are available: clinical (requiring master's degree plus 3,000 hours supervised practice), master's level, and bachelor's level, each requiring passage of a qualifying national exam

The compact creates the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, a joint government agency of member states responsible for administration, rulemaking, maintaining a shared data system, and enforcing compliance

The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board serves as the compact administrator for the state, with authority to adopt consistent rules; the General Assembly or Legislative Council retains authority to reject Commission rules

The compact becomes effective when enacted by seven states and includes provisions for military family support, adverse action reporting across states, and member state withdrawal with 180 days notice