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LicenseReciprocity

Social Work License from New Jersey to Alabama: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners ↗

Both New Jersey and Alabama 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.

New Jersey and Alabama 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 Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners through its standard out-of-state process below, and your ASWB score is transferred, not retaken.

What changes, New Jersey → Alabama

Side-by-side: New Jersey vs Alabama (Social Work (LCSW / LICSW)), verified 2026-09-27
New Jersey (current)Alabama (destination)
SW Compact statusSW Compact enacted — not yet issuingSW Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Application fee$75–$150 (N.J.A.C. 13:44G-14.1 (revision date 4/15/2024) lists a $75 application fee and a separate $75 endorsement fee. The endorsement rule (13:44G-4.5(b)(2)) names only the application fee, and whether the $75 endorsement fee is also charged could not be confirmed, hence the $75-$150 range. Initial clinical license fee is $160 (first year of the biennial cycle) or $80 (second year). Criminal history background check $18.75.)$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.)
Processing timeNo processing time was found in the materials that could be retrieved.The 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.
Licensing authorityNew Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs)Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm Alabama's current requirements on the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Hold an active, good-standing clinical-level license in a state whose licensure standards the Board finds equivalent to Alabama's (Ala. Admin. Code 850-X-4-.02).
  5. Have each licensing board send the Verification of Licensure form, including exam proof, supervision verification and any disciplinary record.
  6. Have your CSWE-accredited school send an official transcript directly to the Board.
  7. Submit proof of your clinical supervision on your supervisor's forms (LICSW applicants only).
  8. Request an ASWB score transfer to the Board.
  9. Pay the fees ($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.)) and allow The 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..

Official links

Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners ↗Alabama application ↗License verification ↗Social Work Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Alabama → New JerseySocial Work in New JerseySocial Work in AlabamaAll social work statesThe SW Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Alabama accept a New Jersey social work license?

Both New Jersey and Alabama 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 New Jersey to Alabama?

The ASWB exam is not retaken; order your score from ASWB (ASWB Score Transfer) and have it sent directly to the Board. Alabama's reciprocity instructions require that you passed the ASWB exam for the level requested (the Clinical exam for the LICSW); an applicant who never passed an ASWB exam cannot qualify by reciprocity. No Alabama jurisprudence exam is named in the reciprocity rule or instructions. ASWB sends the score for $40 per transfer, requested in ASWBCentral, and delivery takes 7-10 business days.

What does the New Jersey-to-Alabama move cost and how long does it take?

$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.) Processing: The 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.

New Jersey and Alabama are both compact states. Can I practice in Alabama on my New Jersey license?

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

Will Alabama accept the supervised hours I completed in New Jersey?

Most boards credit supervised experience completed under another state's rules, but some compare it with their own requirement. Alabama's rule, where the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners 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]