GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 2
HOUSE BILL 231
Committee Substitute Favorable 3/11/25
Short Title: Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact. (Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:
February 27, 2025
*H231 -v-2*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AND ENTER INTO AN INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR THE 2
PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1.(a) Chapter 90B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 5
Article 1 to be titled the "Social Worker Certification and Licensure Act." The following statutes 6
constitute the new Article 1: G.S. 90B-1, 90B-2, 90B-3, 90B-4, 90B-5, 90B-6, 90B-6.1, 90B-6.2, 7
90B-7, 90B-8, 90B-9, 90B-9.1, 90B-10, 90B-11, 90B-12, 90B-13, 90B-14, 90B-15, and 90B-16. 8
SECTION 1.(b) Chapter 90B of the General Statutes is retitled as "Social Worker 9
Certification and Licensure." 10
SECTION 1.(c) G.S. 90B-1 reads as rewritten: 11
"§ 90B-1. Short title. 12
This Chapter Article shall be known as the "Social Worker Certification and Licensure Act."" 13
SECTION 2. Chapter 90B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 14
Article to read: 15
"Article 2. 16
"Social Work Licensure Compact. 17
"§ 90B-20. Purpose. 18
The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of regulated social workers by 19
improving public access to social work services. The Compact preserves the regulatory authority 20
of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. This 21
Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: 22
(1) Increase public access to social work services. 23
(2) Reduce overly burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with 24
holding multiple licenses. 25
(3) Enhance the member states' ability to protect the public's health and safety. 26
(4) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate practice. 27
(5) Promote mobility and address workforce shortages by eliminating the 28
necessity for licenses in multiple states by providing for the mutual 29
recognition of other member state licenses. 30
(6) Support military families. 31
(7) Facilitate the exchange of licensure and disciplinary information among 32
member states. 33
(8) Authorize all member states to hold a regulated social worker accountable for 34
abiding by the member state's laws, regulations, and applicable professional 35 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 231-Second Edition
standards in the member state in which the client is located at the time care is 1
rendered. 2
(9) Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate increased access to social work 3
services. 4
"§ 90B-21. Definitions. 5
As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall 6
apply: 7
(1) Active military member. – Any individual in full-time duty status in the active 8
Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the National Guard 9
and Reserve. 10
(2) Adverse action. – Any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action 11
permitted by a state's laws which is imposed by a licensing authority or other 12
authority against a regulated social worker, including actions against an 13
individual's license or multistate authorization to practice such as revocation, 14
suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee's 15
practice, or any other encumbrance on licensure affecting a regulated social 16
worker's authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist 17
action. 18
(3) Alternative program. – A nondisciplinary monitoring process or practice 19
remediation process approved by a licensing authority to address practitioners 20
with an impairment. 21
(4) Charter member states. – Member states who have enacted legislation to adopt 22
this Compact where such legislation predates the effective date of this 23
Compact, as defined in this Article. 24
(5) Compact Commission or Commission. – The government agency whose 25
membership consists of all states that have enacted this Compact which is 26
known as the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, as defined in this 27
Article, and which shall operate as an instrumentality of the member states. 28
(6) Current significant investigative information. – Investigative information that 29
(i) a licensing authority, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification 30
and an opportunity for the regulated social worker to respond has reason to 31
believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor 32
infraction, as may be defined by the Commission, or (ii) indicates that the 33
regulated social worker represents an immediate threat to public health and 34
safety, as may be defined by the Commission, regardless of whether the 35
regulated social worker has been notified and has had an opportunity to 36
respond. 37
(7) Data system. – A repository of information about licensees, including, but not 38
limited to, continuing education, examination, licensure, current significant 39
investigative information, disqualifying events, multistate license or licenses, 40
and adverse action information or other information as required by the 41
Commission. 42
(8) Domicile. – The jurisdiction in which the licensee resides and intends to 43
remain indefinitely. 44
(9) Disqualifying event. – Any adverse action or incident which results in an 45
encumbrance that disqualifies or makes the licensee ineligible to either obtain, 46
retain, or renew a multistate license. 47
(10) Encumbrance. – A revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full 48
and unrestricted practice of social work licensed and regulated by a licensing 49
authority. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 3
(11) Executive Committee. – A group of delegates elected or appointed to act on 1
behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the Compact and 2
Commission. 3
(12) Home state. – The member state that is the licensee's primary state of domicile. 4
(13) Impairment. – A condition that may impair a practitioner's ability to engage 5
in full and unrestricted practice as a regulated social worker without some type 6
of intervention and may include, but is not limited to, alcohol and drug 7
dependence, mental health impairment, and neurological or physical 8
impairments. 9
(14) Licensee. – An individual who currently holds a license from the state to 10
practice as a regulated social worker. 11
(15) Licensing authority. – The board or agency of a member state, or equivalent, 12
that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of regulated social workers. 13
(16) Member state. – A state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United 14
States of America that has enacted this Compact. 15
(17) Multistate authorization to practice. – A legally authorized privilege to 16
practice, which is equivalent to a license, associated with a multistate license 17
permitting the practice of social work in a remote state. 18
(18) Multistate license. – A license to practice as a regulated social worker issued 19
by a home state licensing authority that authorizes the regulated social worker 20
to practice in all member states under multistate authorization to practice. 21
(19) Qualifying national exam. – A national licensing examination approved by the 22
Commission. 23
(20) Regulated social worker. – Any clinical, master's, or bachelor's social worker 24
licensed by a member state regardless of the title used by that member state. 25
(21) Remote state. – A member state other than the licensee's home state. 26
(22) Rule(s) or rule(s) of the Commission. – A regulation or regulations 27
promulgated by the Commission, as authorized by the Compact, that has the 28
force of law. 29
(23) Single-state license. – A social work license issued by any state that authorizes 30
practice only within the issuing state and does not include multistate 31
authorization to practice in any member state. 32
(24) Social work or social work services. – The application of social work theory, 33
knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or 34
enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, 35
couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities through the care 36
and services provided by a regulated social worker as set forth in the member 37
state's statutes and regulations in the state where the services are being 38
provided. 39
(25) State. – Any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of 40
America that regulates the practice of social work. 41
(26) Unencumbered license. – A license that authorizes a regulated social worker 42
to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of social work. 43
"§ 90B-22. State participation in Compact. 44
(a) To be eligible to participate in the Compact, a potential member state must currently 45
meet all of the following criteria: 46
(1) License and regulate the practice of social work at either the clinical, master's, 47
or bachelor's category. 48
(2) Require applicants for licensure to graduate from a program that (i) 49
corresponds to the licensure sought as outlined in G.S. 90B-23, (ii) is operated 50
by a college or university recognized by the licensing authority, and (iii) is 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 4 House Bill 231-Second Edition
accredited, or in candidacy by an institution that subsequently becomes 1
accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized by either of the following: 2
a. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor. 3
b. The United States Department of Education. 4
(3) Require applicants for clinical licensure to complete a period of supervised 5
practice. 6
(4) Have a mechanism in place for receiving, investigating, and adjudicating 7
complaints about licensees. 8
(b) To maintain membership in the Compact, a member state shall meet all of the 9
following: 10
(1) Require applicants for a multistate license pass a qualifying national exam for 11
the corresponding category of multistate license sought as outlined in 12
G.S. 90B-23. 13
(2) Participate fully in the Commission's data system, including using the 14
Commission's unique identifier as defined in rules. 15
(3) Notify the Commission, in compliance with the terms of the Compact and 16
rules, of any adverse action or the availability of current significant 17
investigative information regarding a licensee. 18
(4) Implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of 19
applicants for a multistate license. Such procedures shall include the 20
submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants 21
for the purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record information 22
from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for 23
retaining that state's criminal records. 24
(5) Comply with the Rules of the Commission. 25
(6) Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in the home state and meet 26
the home state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as 27
all other applicable home state laws. 28
(7) Authorize a licensee holding a multistate license in any member state to 29
practice in accordance with the terms of the Compact and Rules of the 30
Commission. 31
(8) Designate a delegate to participate in the Commission meetings. 32
(c) A member state meeting the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section of 33
this Compact shall designate the categories of social work licensure that are eligible for issuance 34
of a multistate license for applicants in such member state. To the extent that any member state 35
does not meet the requirements for participation in the Compact at any particular category of 36
social work licensure, such member state may choose, but is not obligated, to issue a multistate 37
license to applicants that otherwise meet the requirements of G.S. 90B-23 for issuance of a 38
multistate license in such category or categories of licensure. 39
(d) The home state may charge a fee for granting the multistate license. 40
"§ 90B-23. Social worker participation in the Compact. 41
(a) To be eligible for a multistate license under the terms and provisions of the Compact, 42
an applicant, regardless of category, must do all of the following: 43
(1) Hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered license in the home state. 44
(2) Pay any applicable fees, including any state fee, for the multistate license. 45
(3) Submit, in connection with an application for a multistate license, fingerprints 46
or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record 47
information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency 48
responsible for retaining that state's criminal records. 49 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 5
(4) Notify the home state of any adverse action, encumbrance, or restriction on 1
any professional license taken by any member state or non-member state 2
within 30 days from the date the action is taken. 3
(5) Meet any continuing competence requirements established by the home state. 4
(6) Abide by the laws, regulations, and applicable standards in the member state 5
where the client is located at the time care is rendered. 6
(b) An applicant for a clinical-category multistate license must meet all of the following 7
requirements: 8
(1) Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either of the 9
following: 10
a. Passage of a clinical category qualifying national exam. 11
b. Licensure of the applicant in their home state at the clinical category, 12
beginning prior to such time as a qualifying national exam was 13
required by the home state and accompanied by a period of continuous 14
social work licensure thereafter, all of which may be further governed 15
by the rules of the Commission. 16
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency 17
requirements which the Commission may determine by rule. 18
(2) Attain at least a master's degree in social work from a program that is both of 19
the following: 20
a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing 21
authority. 22
b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by 23
an accrediting agency recognized by either of the following: 24
1. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its 25
successor. 26
2. The United States Department of Education. 27
(3) Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be satisfied by demonstrating 28
completion of either of the following: 29
a. A period of postgraduate supervised clinical practice equal to a 30
minimum of 3,000 hours. 31
b. A minimum of two years of full-time postgraduate supervised clinical 32
practice. 33
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing practice requirements 34
which the Commission may determine by rule. 35
(c) An applicant for a master's category multistate license must meet all of the following 36
requirements: 37
(1) Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by any of the 38
following: 39
a. Passage of a master's category qualifying national exam. 40
b. Licensure of the applicant in their home state at the master's category, 41
beginning prior to such time as a qualifying national exam was 42
required by the home state at the master's category and accompanied 43
by a period of continuous social work licensure thereafter, all of which 44
may be further governed by the rules of the Commission. 45
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency 46
requirements which the Commission may determine by rule. 47
(2) Attain at least a master's degree in social work from a program that is both of 48
the following: 49
a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing 50
authority. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 6 House Bill 231-Second Edition
b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by 1
an accrediting agency recognized by either of the following: 2
1. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its 3
successor. 4
2. The United States Department of Education. 5
(d) An applicant for a bachelor's category multistate license must meet all of the 6
following requirements: 7
(1) Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by any of the 8
following: 9
a. Passage of a bachelor's category qualifying national exam. 10
b. Licensure of the applicant in their home state at the bachelor's 11
category, beginning prior to such time as a qualifying national exam 12
was required by the home state and accompanied by a period of 13
continuous social work licensure thereafter, all of which may be 14
further governed by the rules of the Commission. 15
c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency 16
requirements which the Commission may determine by rule. 17
(2) Attain at least a bachelor's degree in social work from a program that is both 18
of the following: 19
a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing 20
authority. 21
b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by 22
an accrediting agency recognized by either of the following: 23
1. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its 24
successor. 25
2. The United States Department of Education. 26
(e) The multistate license for a regulated social worker is subject to the renewal 27
requirements of the home state. The regulated social worker must maintain compliance with the 28
requirements of subsection (a) of this section to be eligible to renew a multistate license. 29
(f) The regulated social worker's services in a remote state are subject to that member 30
state's regulatory authority. A remote state may, in accordance with due process and that member 31
state's laws, remove a regulated social worker's multistate authorization to practice in the remote 32
state for a specific period of time, impose fines, and take any other necessary actions to protect 33
the health and safety of its citizens. 34
(g) If a multistate license is encumbered, the regulated social worker's multistate 35
authorization to practice shall be deactivated in all remote states until the multistate license is no 36
longer encumbered. 37
(h) If a multistate authorization to practice is encumbered in a remote state, the regulated 38
social worker's multistate authorization to practice may be deactivated in that state until the 39
multistate authorization to practice is no longer encumbered. 40
"§ 90B-24. Issuance of a multistate license. 41
(a) Upon receipt of an application for multistate license, the home state licensing 42
authority shall determine the applicant's eligibility for a multistate license in accordance with this 43
Compact. 44
(b) If such applicant is eligible pursuant to G.S. 90B-23 of this Compact, the home state 45
licensing authority shall issue a multistate license that authorizes the applicant or regulated social 46
worker to practice in all member states under a multistate authorization to practice. 47
(c) Upon issuance of a multistate license, the home state licensing authority shall 48
designate whether the regulated social worker holds a multistate license in the bachelor's, 49
master's, or clinical category of social work. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 7
(d) A multistate license issued by a home state to a resident in that state shall be 1
recognized by all Compact member states as authorizing social work practice under a multistate 2
authorization to practice corresponding to each category of licensure regulated in each member 3
state. 4
"§ 90B-25. Authority of Interstate Compact Commission and member state licensing 5
authorities. 6
(a) Nothing in this Compact, nor any rule of the Commission, shall be construed to limit, 7
restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a member state to enact and enforce laws, regulations, 8
or other rules related to the practice of social work in that state, where those laws, regulations, or 9
other rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Compact. 10
(b) Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements established by a member state 11
for the issuance of a single state license. 12
(c) Nothing in this Compact, nor any rule of the Commission, shall be construed to limit, 13
restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a member state to take adverse action against a 14
licensee's single state license to practice social work in that state. 15
(d) Nothing in this Compact, nor any rule of the Commission, shall be construed to limit, 16
restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a remote state to take adverse action against a 17
licensee's multistate authorization to practice in that state. 18
(e) Nothing in this Compact, nor any rule of the Commission, shall be construed to limit, 19
restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a licensee's home state to take adverse action against 20
a licensee's multistate license based upon information provided by a remote state. 21
"§ 90B-26. Reissuance of a multistate license by a new home state. 22
(a) A licensee may hold a multistate license, issued by their home state, in only one 23
member state at any given time. 24
(b) If a licensee changes their home state by moving between two member states: 25
(1) The licensee shall immediately apply for the reissuance of their multistate 26
license in their new home state. The licensee shall pay all applicable fees and 27
notify the prior home state in accordance with the rules of the Commission. 28
(2) Upon receipt of an application to reissue a multistate license, the new home 29
state shall verify that the multistate license is active, unencumbered, and 30
eligible for reissuance under the terms of the Compact and the rules of the 31
Commission. The multistate license issued by the prior home state will be 32
deactivated and all member states notified in accordance with the applicable 33
rules adopted by the Commission. 34
(3) Prior to the reissuance of the multistate license, the new home state shall 35
conduct procedures for considering the criminal history records of the 36
licensee. Such procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or other 37
biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an 38
applicant's criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of 39
Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal 40
records. 41
(4) If required for initial licensure, the new home state may require completion of 42
jurisprudence requirements in the new home state. 43
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Compact, if a licensee does not 44
meet the requirements set forth in this Compact for the reissuance of a 45
multistate license by the new home state, then the licensee shall be subject to 46
the new home state requirements for the issuance of a single state license in 47
that state. 48
(c) If a licensee changes their primary state of residence by moving from a member state 49
to a non-member state, or from a non-member state to a member state, then the licensee shall be 50
subject to the state requirements for the issuance of a single state license in the new home state. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 8 House Bill 231-Second Edition
(d) Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with a licensee's ability to hold a single state 1
license in multiple states; however, for the purposes of this Compact, a licensee shall have only 2
one home state, and only one multistate license. 3
(e) Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with the requirements established by a 4
member state for the issuance of a single state license. 5
"§ 90B-27. Military families. 6
An active military member or their spouses shall designate a home state where the individual 7
has a multistate license. The individual may retain their home state designation during the period 8
the service member is on active duty. 9
"§ 90B-28. Adverse action. 10
(a) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a remote state shall have the 11
authority, in accordance with existing state due process law, to do the following: 12
(1) Take adverse action against a regulated social worker's multistate 13
authorization to practice only within that member state, and issue subpoenas 14
for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony 15
of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a 16
licensing authority in a member state for the attendance and testimony of 17
witnesses or the production of evidence from another member state shall be 18
enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according 19
to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in 20
proceedings pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness 21
fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes 22
of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are located. 23
(2) Only the home state shall have the power to take adverse action against a 24
regulated social worker's multistate license. 25
(b) For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state shall give the same priority and 26
effect to reported conduct received from a member state as it would if the conduct had occurred 27
within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine 28
appropriate action. 29
(c) The home state shall complete any pending investigations of a regulated social worker 30
who changes their home state during the course of the investigations. The home state shall also 31
have the authority to take appropriate action and shall promptly report the conclusions of the 32
investigations to the administrator of the data system. The administrator of the data system shall 33
promptly notify the new home state of any adverse actions. 34
(d) A member state, if otherwise permitted by state law, may recover from the affected 35
regulated social worker the costs of investigations and dispositions of cases resulting from any 36
adverse action taken against that regulated social worker. 37
(e) A member state may take adverse action based on the factual findings of another 38
member state, provided that the member state follows its own procedures for taking the adverse 39
action. 40
(f) Joint investigations: 41
(1) In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its respective social 42
work practice act or other applicable state law, any member state may 43
participate with other member states in joint investigations of licensees. 44
(2) Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance 45
materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under 46
the Compact. 47
(g) If adverse action is taken by the home state against the multistate license of a regulated 48
social worker, the regulated social worker's multistate authorization to practice in all other 49
member states shall be deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the multistate 50
license. All home state disciplinary orders that impose adverse action against the license of a 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 9
regulated social worker shall include a statement that the regulated social worker's multistate 1
authorization to practice is deactivated in all member states until all conditions of the decision, 2
order, or agreement are satisfied. 3
(h) If a member state takes adverse action, it shall promptly notify the administrator of 4
the data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the home state and 5
all other member states of any adverse actions by remote states. 6
(i) Nothing in this Compact shall override a member state's decision that participation in 7
an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. Nothing in this Compact shall 8
authorize a member state to demand the issuance of subpoenas for attendance and testimony of 9
witnesses or the production of evidence from another member state for lawful actions within that 10
member state. 11
(j) Nothing in this Compact shall authorize a member state to impose discipline against 12
a regulated social worker who holds a multistate authorization to practice for lawful actions 13
within another member state. 14
"§ 90B-29. Establishment of Social Work Licensure Compact Commission. 15
(a) Establishment. – The Compact member states hereby create and establish a joint 16
government agency whose membership consists of all member states that have enacted the 17
Compact known as the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission. The Commission is an 18
instrumentality of the Compact states acting jointly and not an instrumentality of any one state. 19
The Commission shall come into existence on or after the effective date of the Compact as set 20
forth in this Article. 21
(b) Membership; Voting; Meetings. – Each member state shall have and be limited to one 22
delegate selected by that member state's licensing authority. The delegate shall be either (i) a 23
current member of the state licensing authority, who is a regulated social worker or public 24
member of the state licensing authority, or (ii) an administrator of the state licensing authority or 25
their designee. The Commission shall by rule or bylaw establish a term of office for delegates 26
and may by rule or bylaw establish term limits. The Commission may recommend removal or 27
suspension of any delegate from office. The member state licensing authority shall fill any 28
vacancy occurring in the Commission within 60 days of the vacancy. Each delegate shall be 29
entitled to one vote on all matters before the Commission requiring a vote by Commission 30
delegates. 31
A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws 32
may provide for delegates to meet by telecommunication, video conference, or other means of 33
communication. The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional 34
meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws. The Commission may meet by 35
telecommunication, video conference, or other similar electronic means. 36
(c) Powers; Duties. – The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 37
(1) Establish a code of conduct and conflict of interest policies. 38
(2) Establish the fiscal year of the Commission. 39
(3) Establish and amend rules and bylaws. 40
(4) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws. 41
(5) Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this 42
Compact, the Commission's rules, and the bylaws. 43
(6) Maintain and certify records and information provided to a member state as 44
the authenticated business records of the Commission, and designate an agent 45
to do so on the Commission's behalf. 46
(7) Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions in the name of the 47
Commission, provided that the standing of any state licensing authority to sue 48
or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected. 49
(8) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 10 House Bill 231-Second Edition
(9) Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not 1
limited to, employees of a member state. 2
(10) Conduct an annual financial review. 3
(11) Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, 4
grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the 5
Compact, and establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs 6
relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related 7
personnel matters. 8
(12) Assess and collect fees. 9
(13) Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations, grants of money, other sources 10
of revenue, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and receive, utilize, 11
and dispose of the same, provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid 12
any appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest. 13
(14) Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own, 14
hold, improve, or use, any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided 15
interest therein. 16
(15) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise 17
dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed. 18
(16) Establish a budget and make expenditures. 19
(17) Borrow money. 20
(18) Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members, 21
state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer 22
representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in this 23
Compact and the bylaws. 24
(19) Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement 25
agencies. 26
(20) Establish and elect an Executive Committee, including a chair and vice-chair. 27
(21) Determine whether a state's adopted language is materially different from the 28
model Compact language such that the State would not qualify for 29
participation in the Compact. 30
(22) Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve 31
the purposes of this Compact. 32
(d) Executive Committee. – The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on 33
behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this Compact. 34
(1) The Executive Committee shall be composed of 11 members, as follows: 35
a. The chair and vice-chair of the Commission shall be voting members 36
of the Executive Committee. 37
b. Five voting members who are elected by the Commission from the 38
current membership of the Commission. 39
c. Up to four ex officio, nonvoting members from four recognized 40
national social work organizations, selected by their respective 41
organizations. 42
(3) The Commission may remove any member of the Executive Committee as 43
provided in the bylaws. 44
(4) The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually. 45
(5) Executive Committee meetings shall be open to the public, except that the 46
Executive Committee may meet in a closed, nonpublic meeting as provided 47
by this Article. The Executive Committee shall give seven days' notice of its 48
meetings, posted on its website and as determined to provide notice to persons 49
with an interest in the business of the Commission. The Executive Committee 50
may hold a special meeting in accordance with this Article. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 11
(6) The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the 1
Commission according to the terms of the Compact. The Executive 2
Committee shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities: 3
a. Oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the Compact, 4
including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the 5
Compact, its rules and bylaws, and other such duties as deemed 6
necessary. 7
b. Recommend to the Commission changes to the rules or bylaws, 8
changes to this Compact legislation, fees charged to Compact member 9
states, fees charged to licensees, and other fees. 10
c. Ensure Compact administration services are appropriately provided, 11
including by contract. 12
d. Prepare and recommend the budget. 13
e. Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission. 14
f. Monitor Compact compliance of member states and provide 15
compliance reports to the Commission. 16
g. Establish additional committees as necessary. 17
h. Exercise the powers and duties of the Commission during the interim 18
between Commission meetings, except for adopting or amending 19
rules, adopting or amending bylaws, and exercising any other powers 20
and duties expressly reserved to the Commission by rule or bylaw. 21
i. Perform other duties as provided in rules or bylaws of the 22
Commission. 23
(e) Meetings of the Commission. – All meetings shall be open to the public, and public 24
notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions 25
in G.S. 90B-31. The Commission may hold a special meeting when it must meet to conduct 26
emergency business by giving 48 hours' notice to all commissioners, on the Commission's 27
website, and other means as provided in the Commission's rules. The Commission's legal counsel 28
shall certify that the Commission's need to meet qualifies as an emergency. The Commission or 29
the Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, 30
nonpublic meeting if the Commission or Executive Committee or other committees of the 31
Commission must receive legal advice or discuss any of the following: 32
(1) Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under the Compact. 33
(2) The employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters, practices, or 34
procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the 35
Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures. 36
(3) Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation. 37
(4) Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, or 38
real estate. 39
(5) Accusation of any person of a crime or formally censuring any person. 40
(6) Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is 41
privileged or confidential. 42
(7) Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would 43
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 44
(8) Disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes. 45
(9) Disclosure of information related to any investigative reports prepared by or 46
on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other committee charged with 47
responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant 48
to the Compact. 49
(10) Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state 50
statute. 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 12 House Bill 231-Second Edition
(11) Current or threatened discipline of a licensee by the Commission or by a 1
member state's licensing authority. 2
(12) Other matters as promulgated by the Commission by rule. 3
If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the Commission's 4
presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be closed and shall reference each relevant 5
exempting provision, and such reference shall be recorded in the minutes. The Commission shall 6
keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide 7
a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description 8
of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified 9
in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject 10
to release by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction. 11
(f) Financing of the Commission. – The Commission shall pay, or provide for the 12
payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities. 13
The Commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations, and grants of 14
money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services. 15
The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state and 16
impose fees on other licensees of member states to whom it grants a multistate license to cover 17
the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total 18
amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved by the Commission each year for which 19
revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be 20
allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Commission, which shall be promulgated 21
by rule. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds 22
adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the member 23
states, except by and with the authority of the member state. 24
The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts 25
and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures 26
established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the 27
Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report 28
of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission. 29
(g) Qualified Immunity; Defense; Indemnification. – The members, officers, executive 30
director, employees, and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and 31
liability, both personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of 32
property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged 33
act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a 34
reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or 35
responsibilities, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such 36
person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or 37
willful or wanton misconduct of that person. The procurement of insurance of any type by the 38
Commission shall not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder. 39
The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, or 40
representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of 41
any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission 42
employment, duties, or responsibilities, or as determined by the Commission that the person 43
against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope 44
of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be 45
construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel at their own expense; and 46
provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person's 47
intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. 48
The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, 49
employee, or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment 50
obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 13
occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such 1
person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission 2
employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission 3
did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. 4
Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the liability of any licensee for 5
professional malpractice or misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other applicable 6
state laws. Nothing in this Compact shall be interpreted to waive or otherwise abrogate a member 7
state's state action immunity or state action affirmative defense with respect to antitrust claims 8
under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any other state or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law 9
or regulation. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity 10
by the member states or by the Commission. 11
"§ 90B-30. Data system. 12
(a) The Commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation, and 13
utilization of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, 14
and the presence of current significant investigative information on all licensed individuals in 15
member states. 16
(b) The Commission shall assign each applicant for a multistate license a unique 17
identifier, as determined by the rules of the Commission. 18
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state shall 19
submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom this Compact is 20
applicable, as required by the rules of the Commission, including all of the following: 21
(1) Identifying information. 22
(2) Licensure data. 23
(3) Adverse actions against a license and information related thereto. 24
(4) Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation, the 25
beginning and ending dates of such participation, and other information 26
related to such participation not made confidential under member state law. 27
(5) Any denial of application for licensure and the reasons for such denial. 28
(6) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this Compact, as 29
determined by the rules of the Commission. 30
(7) Current significant investigative information. 31
(d) The records and information provided to a member state pursuant to this Compact or 32
through the data system, when certified by the Commission or an agent thereof, shall constitute 33
the authenticated business records of the Commission and shall be entitled to any associated 34
hearsay exception in any relevant judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative proceedings in a 35
member state. 36
(e) Current significant investigative information pertaining to a licensee in any member 37
state will only be available to other member states. It is the responsibility of the member states 38
to report any adverse action against a licensee and to monitor the database to determine whether 39
adverse action has been taken against a licensee. Adverse action information pertaining to a 40
licensee in any member state will be available to any other member state. 41
(f) Member states contributing information to the data system may designate information 42
that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing state. 43
(g) Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently required to be 44
expunged by federal law or the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be 45
removed from the data system. 46
"§ 90B-31. Rulemaking. 47
(a) The Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to achieve the purposes 48
of the Compact effectively and efficiently. A rule shall be invalid and have no force or effect 49
only if a court of competent jurisdiction holds that the rule is invalid because the Commission 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 14 House Bill 231-Second Edition
exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope and purposes of the 1
Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable standard of review. 2
(b) The rules of the Commission shall have the force of law in each member state, 3
provided, however, that where the rules of the Commission conflict with the laws of the member 4
state that establish the member state's laws, regulations, and applicable standards that govern the 5
practice of social work as held by a court of competent jurisdiction, the rules of the Commission 6
shall be ineffective in that state to the extent of the conflict. 7
(c) The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth 8
in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding on the day following 9
adoption or the date specified in the rule or amendment, whichever is later. 10
(d) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule or a portion of a 11
rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact within 12
four years of the date of adoption of the rule, then such rule shall have no further force and effect 13
in any member state. 14
(e) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of 15
the Commission. 16
(f) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the Commission shall hold a public hearing and 17
allow persons to provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments. 18
(g) Prior to promulgation and adoption of rule by the Commission, and at least 30 days 19
in advance of the meeting at which the Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed 20
rule, the Commission shall provide a notice of proposed rulemaking (i) on the website of the 21
Commission or other publicly accessible platform, (ii) to persons who have requested notice of 22
the Commission's notices of proposed rulemaking, and (iii) in such other ways as the Commission 23
may, by rule, specify. 24
(h) The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include all of the following: 25
(1) The time, date, and location of the public hearing at which the Commission 26
will hear public comments on the proposed rule and, if different, the proposed 27
time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be considered 28
and voted upon. 29
(2) If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video conference, or other 30
electronic means, the Commission shall include the mechanism for access to 31
the hearing in the notice of proposed rulemaking. 32
(3) The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed 33
rule. 34
(4) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person. 35
(5) The manner in which interested persons may submit written comments. 36
(i) All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording and all written comments and 37
documents received by the Commission in response to the proposed rule shall be available to the 38
public. 39
(j) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. 40
Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at hearings required by this 41
section. 42
(k) The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the 43
proposed rule based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule. 44
(1) The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed rule provided the 45
changes do not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed rule. 46
(2) The Commission shall provide an explanation of the reasons for substantive 47
changes made to the proposed rule as well as reasons for substantive changes 48
not made that were recommended by commenters. 49
(3) The Commission shall determine a reasonable effective date for the rule. 50
Except for an emergency as provided in this section, the effective date of the 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 15
rule shall be no sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that it adopted or 1
amended the rule. 2
(l) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and 3
adopt an emergency rule with 48 hours' notice, with opportunity for comment, provided that the 4
usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this section shall be retroactively 5
applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 days after the effective 6
date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted 7
immediately in order to (i) meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare, (ii) 8
prevent a loss of Commission or member state funds, (iii) meet a deadline for the promulgation 9
of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule, or (iv) protect public health 10
and safety. 11
(m) The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may direct revisions 12
to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors 13
in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be 14
posted on the website of the Commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any 15
person for a period of 30 days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds 16
that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and 17
delivered to the Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the 18
revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not 19
take effect without the approval of the Commission. 20
(n) No member state's rulemaking requirements shall apply under this Compact. 21
"§ 90B-32. Oversight; dispute resolution; enforcement. 22
(a) The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall 23
enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to implement the Compact. 24
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Compact, venue is proper and judicial 25
proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of 26
competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission 27
may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in 28
alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or 29
propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, or 30
any such similar matter. 31
(c) The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding 32
regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the Compact and shall have standing to intervene 33
in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the Commission 34
shall render a judgment or order void as to the Commission, this Compact, or promulgated rules. 35
(d) If the Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance 36
of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the 37
Commission shall do all of the following: 38
(1) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the 39
nature of default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any other 40
action to be taken by the Commission. 41
(2) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the 42
default. 43
(e) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated 44
from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of delegates of the member states, and 45
all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this Compact may be terminated on the effective 46
date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or 47
liabilities incurred during the period of default. 48
(f) Termination of membership in the Compact shall be imposed only after all other 49
means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate 50
shall be given by the Commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 16 House Bill 231-Second Edition
defaulting state's legislature, the defaulting state's state licensing authority and each of the 1
member states' state licensing authority. A state that has been terminated is responsible for all 2
assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, 3
including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination. 4
(g) Upon the termination of a state's membership from this Compact, that state shall 5
immediately provide notice to all licensees within that state of such termination. The terminated 6
state shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to this Compact for a minimum of 7
six months after the date of said notice of termination. 8
(h) The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default 9
or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the 10
Commission and the defaulting state. 11
(i) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the U.S. 12
District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its 13
principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including 14
reasonable attorneys' fees. 15
(j) Upon request by a member state, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes 16
related to the Compact that arise among member states and between member and nonmember 17
states. The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute 18
resolution for disputes as appropriate. 19
(k) By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in the U.S. District Court 20
for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices 21
against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and 22
its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and 23
damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all 24
costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees. The remedies herein shall not be the 25
exclusive remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies 26
available under federal or the defaulting member state's law. 27
(l) A member state may initiate legal action in the U.S. District Court for the District of 28
Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices against the 29
Commission to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules 30
and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event 31
judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such 32
litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees. 33
(m) No person other than a member state shall enforce this Compact against the 34
Commission. 35
"§ 90B-33. Effective date; withdrawal; amendment. 36
(a) The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact statute is 37
enacted into law in the seventh member state. On or after the effective date of the Compact, the 38
Commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the first seven member states 39
(charter member states) to determine if the statute enacted by each such charter member state is 40
materially different than the model Compact statute. 41
(b) A charter member state whose enactment is found to be materially different from the 42
model Compact statute shall be entitled to the default process set forth in this Article. If any 43
member state is found to be in default, or is terminated or withdraws from the Compact, the 44
Commission shall remain in existence and the Compact shall remain in effect even if the number 45
of member states should be less than seven. 46
(c) Member states enacting the Compact subsequent to the seven initial charter member 47
states shall be subject to the process set forth in this Article to determine if their enactments are 48
materially different from the model Compact statute and whether they qualify for participation 49
in the Compact. 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 231-Second Edition Page 17
(d) All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the purposes 1
of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of the Compact or the Commission 2
coming into existence shall be considered to be actions of the Commission unless specifically 3
repudiated by the Commission. 4
(e) Any state that joins the Compact subsequent to the Commission's initial adoption of 5
the rules shall be subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the Compact becomes 6
law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the 7
full force and effect of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that state. 8
(f) Any member state may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing 9
the same. A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six months after enactment of 10
the repealing statute. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing 11
state's licensing authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting 12
requirements of this act prior to the effective date of withdrawal. Upon the enactment of a statute 13
withdrawing from this Compact, a state shall immediately provide notice of such withdrawal to 14
all licensees within that state. Notwithstanding any subsequent statutory enactment to the 15
contrary, such withdrawing state shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to this 16
Compact for a minimum of six months after the date of such notice of withdrawal. 17
(g) Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any 18
licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a nonmember 19
state that does not conflict with the provisions of this Compact. 20
(h) This Compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this Compact 21
shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all 22
member states. 23
"§ 90B-34. Construction and severability. 24
This Compact and the Commission's rulemaking authority shall be liberally construed so as 25
to effectuate the purposes, and the implementation and administration of the Compact. Provisions 26
of the Compact expressly authorizing or requiring the promulgation of rules shall not be 27
construed to limit the Commission's rulemaking authority solely for those purposes. The 28
provisions of this Compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision 29
of this Compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to the constitution of 30
any member state, a state seeking participation in the Compact, or the United States, or the 31
applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held to be 32
unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of this 33
Compact and the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person, or circumstance 34
shall not be affected thereby. 35
Notwithstanding this section, the Commission may deny a state's participation in the Compact 36
or, in accordance with the requirements of this Article, terminate a member state's participation 37
in the Compact, if it determines that a constitutional requirement of a member state is a material 38
departure from the Compact. Otherwise, if this Compact shall be held to be contrary to the 39
constitution of any member state, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the 40
remaining member states and in full force and effect as to the member state affected as to all 41
severable matters. 42
"§ 90B-35. Consistent effect and conflict with other state laws. 43
A licensee providing services in a remote state under a multistate authorization to practice 44
shall adhere to the laws and regulations, including laws, regulations, and applicable standards, of 45
the remote state where the client is located at the time care is rendered. Nothing herein prevents 46
the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with the Compact. 47
Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a member state in conflict with the 48
Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. All permissible agreements between the 49
Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms." 50
SECTION 3. This act becomes effective October 1, 2025. 51