TX HB3503

Texas would join the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers to practice across all member states through a single multistate license rather than obtaining separate licenses in each state

The compact covers three categories of social work licensure: clinical (requiring master's degree plus 3,000 hours supervised practice), master's level, and bachelor's level, with applicants required to pass qualifying national exams and submit fingerprints for background checks

A Social Work Licensure Compact Commission would be established as a joint government agency to administer the compact, with each member state having one delegate and authority to adopt rules, assess fees, and maintain a data system tracking licensees and disciplinary actions

Member states retain authority to take adverse action against licensees practicing within their borders, and practitioners must follow the laws and standards of the state where the client is located at the time of service

The compact takes effect when seven states enact it, and the Texas Health Professions Council would serve as the state's compact administrator with authority to adopt implementing rules