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LicenseReciprocity

Social Work License from Alabama to West Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: West Virginia Board of Social Work ↗

Both Alabama and West Virginia have enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but multistate licenses are not yet being issued (as of 2026-09-27). Until the compact activates, transfer your social work license the standard way: apply for licensure by endorsement.

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Verdict

Compact enacted — endorsement for now

Interim path until the compact activates: licensure by endorsement.

Alabama and West Virginia have both enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but it was not issuing multistate licenses as of 2026-09-27. Shared enactment changes nothing about this move today: you apply to the West Virginia Board of Social Work through its standard out-of-state process below, and your ASWB score is transferred, not retaken.

What changes, Alabama → West Virginia

Side-by-side: Alabama vs West Virginia (Social Work (LCSW / LICSW)), verified 2026-09-27
Alabama (current)West Virginia (destination)
SW Compact statusSW Compact enacted — not yet issuingSW Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Application fee$75 (Reciprocity application fee under Ala. Admin. Code 850-X-5-.02 (amended effective 2024-01-14); + $3.50 Alabama Interactive convenience fee when applying online. Fees are non-refundable. Private independent practice certification is a separate $75 application.)$90 (The Board's active fee rule (25CSR3, eff. 2022-07-01) sets $90 to issue a regular LICSW biennial license and lists no separate application fee; the LICSW application form states no fee. Renewal is $76 biennially. An amended fee rule is marked 'In Progress' at the Secretary of State.)
Processing timeThe Board publishes no processing time for reciprocity applications. Its FAQ says a license and letter are typically mailed 10-14 days after a passing exam grade is received, but that describes exam candidates, not reciprocity files.The Board publishes no processing time.
Licensing authorityAlabama State Board of Social Work ExaminersWest Virginia Board of Social Work

The destination column is what you must satisfy — West Virginia sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm West Virginia's current requirements on the West Virginia Board of Social Work website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the West Virginia Board of Social Work (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Mail the paper LICSW application to the Board (applications may not be faxed or emailed).
  5. Have ASWB send your passing Clinical exam score report directly.
  6. Submit a copy of each other-state license with verification of standing (web verification accepted).
  7. Unless you have been licensed at the clinical level for 10 or more years, document 2 years and 3,000 hours of practice with 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (your prior board's supervision paperwork or a board letter is accepted).
  8. Send an official MSW transcript (CSWE-accredited) and a copy of your driver's license or photo ID.
  9. Pay the fees ($90 (The Board's active fee rule (25CSR3, eff. 2022-07-01) sets $90 to issue a regular LICSW biennial license and lists no separate application fee; the LICSW application form states no fee. Renewal is $76 biennially. An amended fee rule is marked 'In Progress' at the Secretary of State.)) and allow The Board publishes no processing time..

Official links

West Virginia Board of Social Work ↗West Virginia application ↗License verification ↗Social Work Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: West Virginia → AlabamaSocial Work in AlabamaSocial Work in West VirginiaAll social work statesThe SW Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does West Virginia accept an Alabama social work license?

Both Alabama and West Virginia have enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, but multistate licenses are not yet being issued (as of 2026-09-27). Until the compact activates, transfer your social work license the standard way: apply for licensure by endorsement.

Do I retake the ASWB exam moving from Alabama to West Virginia?

The ASWB exam is not retaken: an out-of-state applicant must have passed the ASWB Clinical exam and have ASWB send the official score report. West Virginia's LICSW application requires no state jurisprudence exam. ASWB sends the score for $40 per transfer, requested in ASWBCentral, and delivery takes 7-10 business days.

What does the Alabama-to-West Virginia move cost and how long does it take?

$90 (The Board's active fee rule (25CSR3, eff. 2022-07-01) sets $90 to issue a regular LICSW biennial license and lists no separate application fee; the LICSW application form states no fee. Renewal is $76 biennially. An amended fee rule is marked 'In Progress' at the Secretary of State.) Processing: The Board publishes no processing time.

Alabama and West Virginia are both compact states. Can I practice in West Virginia on my Alabama license?

No. The Social Work Licensure Compact was not issuing multistate licenses as of 2026-09-27, so it authorizes no practice in West Virginia. You need a West Virginia license from the West Virginia Board of Social Work.

Will West Virginia accept the supervised hours I completed in Alabama?

Most boards credit supervised experience completed under another state's rules, but some compare it with their own requirement. West Virginia's rule, where the West Virginia Board of Social Work publishes one, is in the requirements on this page; confirm with the board if your hours were logged under a different structure.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-09-27

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]