On April 10th, 2019, House Bill 2569 (Occupational Licensing; Reciprocity) was signed into law. This legislation requires a “regulating entity to issue an occupational license to a person who establishes residence in Arizona if the person is currently licensed or certified in good standing in at least one other state in the discipline applied for and at the same practice level as determined by the regulating entity and if the person meets a list of other specified requirements”.

This legislation does not change the statutory requirements for social workers in Arizona enforced by the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. All professional social workers holding a degree in the field must still meet all of the state’s legal and ethical requirements. This law does provide for an opportunity for qualified, licensed social worker professionals from other states to relocate to Arizona to help address the vast, unmet needs of Arizona individuals, families and communities.