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LicenseReciprocity

Social Work License from South Dakota to Vermont: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers ↗

Both South Dakota and Vermont 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.

South Dakota and Vermont 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 Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers through its standard out-of-state process below, and your ASWB score is transferred, not retaken.

What changes, South Dakota → Vermont

Side-by-side: South Dakota vs Vermont (Social Work (LCSW / LICSW)), verified 2026-09-27
South Dakota (current)Vermont (destination)
SW Compact statusSW Compact enacted — not yet issuingSW Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Application fee$210 (Application fee for Certified Social Worker-Private Independent Practice per the Board's fee schedule (non-refundable). Biennial renewal is $105.)$180 (Initial fee for the Clinical Social Worker license (OPR code 089) on OPR's fee chart (Internet Archive copy of 2026-04-14; outside.vermont.gov returned 403 to automated fetches). Biennial renewal is $120, due January 31 of even years.)
Processing timeNo processing time is published. A Board review officer approves applications.OPR publishes no processing time for social work applications. Under its 90-day policy, a license issued within 90 days of the renewal date runs through the next full two-year cycle.
Licensing authoritySouth Dakota Board of Social Work ExaminersVermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm Vermont's current requirements on the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Hold an active independent clinical social work license (or equivalent) in a U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially equivalent to Vermont's.
  5. Pass the Vermont jurisprudence examination.
  6. Have your other licensing jurisdiction(s) complete OPR's Verification of Licensure form.
  7. Apply through OPR's online licensing system.
  8. Pay the fees ($180 (Initial fee for the Clinical Social Worker license (OPR code 089) on OPR's fee chart (Internet Archive copy of 2026-04-14; outside.vermont.gov returned 403 to automated fetches). Biennial renewal is $120, due January 31 of even years.)) and allow OPR publishes no processing time for social work applications. Under its 90-day policy, a license issued within 90 days of the renewal date runs through the next full two-year cycle..

Official links

Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers ↗Vermont application ↗License verification ↗Social Work Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Vermont → South DakotaSocial Work in South DakotaSocial Work in VermontAll social work statesThe SW Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Vermont accept a South Dakota social work license?

Both South Dakota and Vermont 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 South Dakota to Vermont?

The ASWB exam is not retaken: an out-of-state LICSW from a substantially equivalent jurisdiction is licensed by endorsement without re-examination (CVR Social Work Rule 3.3). By-exam applicants need the ASWB clinical exam. Every route ALSO requires the Vermont jurisprudence examination. ASWB sends the score for $40 per transfer, requested in ASWBCentral, and delivery takes 7-10 business days.

What does the South Dakota-to-Vermont move cost and how long does it take?

$180 (Initial fee for the Clinical Social Worker license (OPR code 089) on OPR's fee chart (Internet Archive copy of 2026-04-14; outside.vermont.gov returned 403 to automated fetches). Biennial renewal is $120, due January 31 of even years.) Processing: OPR publishes no processing time for social work applications. Under its 90-day policy, a license issued within 90 days of the renewal date runs through the next full two-year cycle.

South Dakota and Vermont are both compact states. Can I practice in Vermont on my South Dakota license?

No. The Social Work Licensure Compact was not issuing multistate licenses as of 2026-09-27, so it authorizes no practice in Vermont. You need a Vermont license from the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers.

Will Vermont accept the supervised hours I completed in South Dakota?

Most boards credit supervised experience completed under another state's rules, but some compare it with their own requirement. Vermont's rule, where the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) — Social Workers 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]