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Social Work License from Ohio to Rhode Island: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (Rhode Island Department of Health) ↗

Both Ohio and Rhode Island 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.

Ohio and Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (Rhode Island Department of Health) through its standard out-of-state process below, and your ASWB score is transferred, not retaken.

Ohio calls its clinical license the LISW. Rhode Island knows the same tier by its own title, so apply for the Rhode Island license that authorizes independent clinical practice rather than one whose initials happen to match.

What changes, Ohio → Rhode Island

Side-by-side: Ohio vs Rhode Island (Social Work (LCSW / LICSW)), verified 2026-09-27
Ohio (current)Rhode Island (destination)
SW Compact statusSW Compact enacted — not yet issuingSW Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Application fee$100 (LISW reciprocal application fee per the Board's Out of State Applicants page; + $3.50 eLicense processing fee; + BCI/FBI fingerprinting fees paid to the vendor (amount not published by the Board). LISW then renews every two years at $103.50 including the eLicense fee.)$70 (Application fee per the Board's LCSW/LICSW application (rev. 12/19/2025). A framed license certificate is an optional $30. The application lists no background-check fee.)
Processing time2–6 weeks (The Board says to allow at least 10 business days for LISW application processing; out-of-state fingerprint checks can take 4-6 weeks, so applicants fingerprinted outside Ohio should expect the longer end. Files with a criminal history may need Board review, and the Board meets every 60 days.)RIDOH states no processing time and says it will not speed up any one applicant at others' expense. Applications stay valid for one year from receipt.
Licensing authorityOhio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT)Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (Rhode Island Department of Health)

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm Rhode Island's current requirements on the Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (Rhode Island Department of Health) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (Rhode Island Department of Health) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Mail the paper application with the $70 non-refundable fee payable to the RI General Treasurer.
  5. Have each state where you hold or held a license send a verification directly (Interstate Verification Form), including your ASWB score.
  6. Have the school of social work send an official MSW or doctoral transcript directly to the Board.
  7. Submit the Supervised Practice Form, unless your endorsing state's verification confirms the supervised-practice prerequisite.
  8. Submit a valid photo ID and a certified birth record or naturalization or immigration papers.
  9. Pay the fees ($70 (Application fee per the Board's LCSW/LICSW application (rev. 12/19/2025). A framed license certificate is an optional $30. The application lists no background-check fee.)) and allow RIDOH states no processing time and says it will not speed up any one applicant at others' expense. Applications stay valid for one year from receipt..

Official links

Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners (Rhode Island Department of Health) ↗Rhode Island application ↗License verification ↗Social Work Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Rhode Island → OhioSocial Work in OhioSocial Work in Rhode IslandAll social work statesThe SW Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Rhode Island accept an Ohio social work license?

Both Ohio and Rhode Island 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 Ohio to Rhode Island?

The ASWB exam is not retaken. For the LICSW, the ASWB score (the application names the Clinical exam) must come directly from ASWB or on the verification from your original licensing state. There is no separate Rhode Island law or ethics exam in the application instructions. ASWB sends the score for $40 per transfer, requested in ASWBCentral, and delivery takes 7-10 business days.

What does the Ohio-to-Rhode Island move cost and how long does it take?

$70 (Application fee per the Board's LCSW/LICSW application (rev. 12/19/2025). A framed license certificate is an optional $30. The application lists no background-check fee.) Processing: RIDOH states no processing time and says it will not speed up any one applicant at others' expense. Applications stay valid for one year from receipt.

Ohio and Rhode Island are both compact states. Can I practice in Rhode Island on my Ohio license?

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

Will Rhode Island accept the supervised hours I completed in Ohio?

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