Transfer Your Social Work License to District of Columbia: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: DC Board of Social Work (DC Health) ↗
A clinical social work license moves to District of Columbia through licensure by endorsement with the DC Board of Social Work (DC Health): license verification, your ASWB score sent by score transfer, and District of Columbia's own checks. Expect $230 ($230 combined application and license fee per the Board's endorsement checklist; + $50 criminal background check paid online. Social work licenses expire July 31 of odd years.); processing DC Health publishes no processing time for social work endorsement applications.. District of Columbia has not enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact.
Moving to District of Columbia from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
District of Columbia has not enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, which matters less than it sounds: the compact is not issuing licenses anywhere yet, so every social worker moving to any state follows that state's own licensing process, here the one below.
Watch the license name. The District's clinical license is the LICSW. DC also issues an LISW, but that license is independent and non-clinical, so a social worker who diagnoses and treats should apply for the LICSW.
DC's clinical-level license is the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker). DC also issues an LISW, but that is a NON-clinical independent license and is not this row's credential. The other tiers are the LGSW and the LSWA. The endorsement checklist and fees apply to all tiers; LICSW applicants must have been initially licensed by the clinical-level exam. 17 DCMR 7007 (License by Endorsement) and 7014 (Licensure without Examination) were amended effective 2026-03-06. The full amended text could not be retrieved, so confirm current terms with the Board. DC has NOT enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact; bill B26-0442 is pending, so endorsement is the only route in.
District of Columbia requirements at a glance
| Exam | The ASWB exam is not retaken; have ASWB transfer your score electronically to the Board. Under 17 DCMR 7007 your initial US licence must have been obtained by an exam equivalent to the level you apply for, which is the Clinical exam for the LICSW. No DC jurisprudence exam is listed on the endorsement checklist. |
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| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | $230 ($230 combined application and license fee per the Board's endorsement checklist; + $50 criminal background check paid online. Social work licenses expire July 31 of odd years.) |
| Processing time | DC Health publishes no processing time for social work endorsement applications. |
Step by step
- Confirm District of Columbia's current requirements on the DC Board of Social Work (DC Health) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the DC Board of Social Work (DC Health) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a current, good-standing social work license obtained by an exam equivalent to the LICSW level under requirements the Board finds substantially equivalent (17 DCMR 7007).
- Have every jurisdiction where you have ever held a professional license send official verification (primary-source website verification may be accepted).
- Have your school send an official MSW transcript directly to the Board.
- Complete a DC criminal background check with the online application ($50).
- Submit three character references (two from professional social workers) and a work experience form.
- Pay the fees ($230 ($230 combined application and license fee per the Board's endorsement checklist; + $50 criminal background check paid online. Social work licenses expire July 31 of odd years.)) and allow DC Health publishes no processing time for social work endorsement applications..
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into District of Columbia:
Nearby states
Social Work license transfer into the states bordering District of Columbia:
District of Columbia for other professions
- Nursing in District of Columbia
- Cosmetology / Barber in District of Columbia
- Real Estate in District of Columbia
- Contractor in District of Columbia
- Teaching in District of Columbia
- CPA / Accounting in District of Columbia
- Electrician in District of Columbia
- Plumber in District of Columbia
- Engineering in District of Columbia
- Pharmacy in District of Columbia
- Physical Therapy in District of Columbia
- Psychology in District of Columbia
- Counseling in District of Columbia
- Occupational Therapy in District of Columbia
Frequently asked questions
Does my social work license transfer to District of Columbia?
A clinical social work license moves to District of Columbia through licensure by endorsement with the DC Board of Social Work (DC Health): license verification, your ASWB score sent by score transfer, and District of Columbia's own checks. Expect $230 ($230 combined application and license fee per the Board's endorsement checklist; + $50 criminal background check paid online. Social work licenses expire July 31 of odd years.); processing DC Health publishes no processing time for social work endorsement applications.. District of Columbia has not enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact.
Do I have to retake the ASWB exam to get licensed in District of Columbia?
The ASWB exam is not retaken; have ASWB transfer your score electronically to the Board. Under 17 DCMR 7007 your initial US licence must have been obtained by an exam equivalent to the level you apply for, which is the Clinical exam for the LICSW. No DC jurisprudence exam is listed on the endorsement checklist. ASWB sends the score for $40 per transfer, requested in ASWBCentral, and delivery takes 7-10 business days.
How much does a District of Columbia clinical social work license cost for an out-of-state applicant?
$230 ($230 combined application and license fee per the Board's endorsement checklist; + $50 criminal background check paid online. Social work licenses expire July 31 of odd years.)
How long does the DC Board of Social Work (DC Health) take?
DC Health publishes no processing time for social work endorsement applications.
Is District of Columbia in the Social Work Licensure Compact?
No. District of Columbia had not enacted it as of 2026-09-27. Endorsement through the DC Board of Social Work (DC Health) is the route in.
What is the clinical social work license called in District of Columbia?
The LICSW. DC's separate LISW is a non-clinical independent license, so it is not the one to apply for if you practice clinically.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.
- DC Health — Social Work Licensing ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- DC Board of Social Work — LGSW, LISW and LICSW New License Application Endorsement Checklist ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- DC Municipal Regulations Chapter 17-70 (Social Work) — section list incl. 7007 License by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-09-27)
- Social Work Licensure Compact — compact jurisdictions ↗ (accessed 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]