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LicenseReciprocity

Social Work License from North Dakota to Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) ↗

Both North Dakota and 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.

North Dakota and 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 Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) through its standard out-of-state process below, and your ASWB score is transferred, not retaken.

What changes, North Dakota → Virginia

Side-by-side: North Dakota vs Virginia (Social Work (LCSW / LICSW)), verified 2026-09-27
North Dakota (current)Virginia (destination)
SW Compact statusSW Compact enacted — not yet issuingSW Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Application fee$150 (LCSW reciprocity application fee per the Board's reciprocity page (archived 2026-05-16 copy; live site refused connections on 2026-09-27). Criminal history and child-abuse check costs are paid by the applicant (N.D.C.C. 43-41-04.2); the amount is not published on the page. NDAC 75.5-02-03-03 lists a $75 biennial renewal fee.)$165 (LCSW by Endorsement application fee per the Board's application instructions (rev. 09/2024), non-refundable and paid in the online portal. NPDB self-query costs are extra.)
Processing timeThe Board publishes no processing time. A Board member reviews each file once all items are received, and the nationwide fingerprint check adds time.The Board says complete, fully documented applications are reviewed within 30 days of receipt (about 4 weeks to first review). Incomplete applications stay open for one year.
Licensing authorityNorth Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (NDBSWE)Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions)

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm Virginia's current requirements on the Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Hold an active, unrestricted social work license comparable to Virginia's LCSW (18VAC140-20-45).
  5. Upload verification of every health or mental health license you hold or have held (online verification printouts accepted).
  6. Upload a National Practitioner Data Bank self-query report generated within 30 days of applying.
  7. Have ASWB transfer your Clinical exam score to Virginia.
  8. Explain any criminal conviction, past action or possible impairment with supporting documents (Guidance Document 140-2).
  9. Pay the fees ($165 (LCSW by Endorsement application fee per the Board's application instructions (rev. 09/2024), non-refundable and paid in the online portal. NPDB self-query costs are extra.)) and allow The Board says complete, fully documented applications are reviewed within 30 days of receipt (about 4 weeks to first review). Incomplete applications stay open for one year..

Official links

Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) ↗Virginia application ↗License verification ↗Social Work Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Virginia → North DakotaSocial Work in North DakotaSocial Work in VirginiaAll social work statesThe SW Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Virginia accept a North Dakota social work license?

Both North Dakota and 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 North Dakota to Virginia?

The ASWB exam is not retaken: ask ASWB to transfer your passing ASWB Clinical exam score to Virginia before applying. If you were licensed at the clinical level without taking the ASWB exam, the Board may accept evidence that the other jurisdiction required no national exam at the time. No Virginia jurisprudence exam is listed. ASWB sends the score for $40 per transfer, requested in ASWBCentral, and delivery takes 7-10 business days.

What does the North Dakota-to-Virginia move cost and how long does it take?

$165 (LCSW by Endorsement application fee per the Board's application instructions (rev. 09/2024), non-refundable and paid in the online portal. NPDB self-query costs are extra.) Processing: The Board says complete, fully documented applications are reviewed within 30 days of receipt (about 4 weeks to first review). Incomplete applications stay open for one year.

North Dakota and Virginia are both compact states. Can I practice in Virginia on my North Dakota license?

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

Will Virginia accept the supervised hours I completed in North Dakota?

Most boards credit supervised experience completed under another state's rules, but some compare it with their own requirement. Virginia's rule, where the Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions) 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]