Verified: August 2026
Many state licensure boards require a certified verification of licensure when you're applying for a professional license in another state.
A certified verification is sent by the board that issued your existing license directly to the board or organization reviewing your new application. Each state handles this a little differently. Process and direct links for every U.S. jurisdiction are included below.
1. Find the state that issued your license
2. Either:
Confirm that primary source lookup is available and sufficient
Follow the instructions for a request to be sent
3. Track your request
Processing times vary significantly between states. Some electronic verifications are sent within a few days, while manual requests can take several weeks. If you're requesting verifications from multiple states, it can help to keep a simple record.
Note that some states provide a primary-source license lookup that ASWB can use directly. For these states, you do not need to request or send a certified license verification. ASWB will verify the license itself. See below for the exact states where this applies.
💡 For any verification requests that need to be mailed by you, send via certified mail so you can track easily/get proof of delivery!
Find Your State's License Verification Process
Alabama — AL State Board of Social Work Examiners
Free primary-source verification.
https://al.accessgov.com/alsocwmain/Forms/Page/alsocwmain/verification
Online form. When prompted to “Upload Verification Form,” upload the license verification form provided by the state where you’re applying — i.e. the state you want your verification sent to.
Alaska — AK Board of Social Work Examiners
https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/LicenseVerification
Free primary-source verification.
Arizona — AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
https://bbhe.az.gov/directory-and-verifications-search
Free primary-source verification. Request through the online license portal and it will be sent electronically directly to ASWB.
Arkansas — AR Social Work Licensing Board
https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/social-work-licensing-board/social-work-licensing-board-roster-search/
Online lookup, contact directly for written verification at:
Arkansas Department of Health
4815 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR
72205-3867
1-800-462-0599
California — Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
https://search.dca.ca.gov/
Online lookup
Request through the portal and it will be sent electronically. Each request requires a $25 fee payable by check, money order, or credit card
Colorado — DORA Division of Professions
https://apps2.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx
Free primary-source verification.
Connecticut — CT Department of Public Health
https://www.elicense.ct.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx
Free primary-source verification.
Delaware — DE Board of Social Work Examiners
https://delpros.delaware.gov/OH_VerifyLicense
Online look up
Email written verification
Florida — Board of Clinical Social Work, MFT & Mental Health Counseling
https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/HealthCareProviders
Online lookup
Mail written verification
Georgia — Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers & Marriage and Family Therapists
https://goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/licensee-search
Free primary-source verification, contact directly for written verifications at: https://sos.ga.gov/form/contact-georgia-board-professional-counselors-social-workers-and-marriage-family-therapists
Hawaii — DCCA Professional & Vocational Licensing
https://mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/public-license-search/
Online lookup
Mail written verification
Idaho — DOPL Board of Social Work Examiners
https://edopl.idaho.gov/OnlineServices/_/
Online look up
Mail written verification
You are requested to include any License Request Verification Forms which you obtain from the state where you want your verification sent to.
Illinois — IDFPR
https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/lookup/licenselookup.aspx
Online lookup
Email or mail written verification
Indiana — PLA Behavioral Health & Human Services Board
Indiana does not send verification requests, instead you should follow the instruction to obtain a certificate which can be sent to the board.
Iowa — DIAL Board of Social Work
Online lookup
https://www.iowa.gov/online-services
Request a License Verification (License and/or Exam History) through your Iowa Online Services account.
Kansas — Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board
https://licensing.ks.gov/Verification_BSRB/Search.aspx
Free primary-source verification.
Kentucky — Kentucky Board of Social Work
https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/BSW/LicenseVerification/search
Online lookup. If certificate is required you can send an email to [email protected].
Louisiana — LA State Board of Social Work Examiners
https://www.labswe.org/index.cfm/licensee-search
Online lookup. To have the board send a verification to another board you should contact [email protected] or 225-756-3470.
Maine — State Board of Social Worker Licensure
Free primary source verification. If the receiving board requires verification to be sent directly by Maine, contact the Social Worker Licensure Board at [email protected] for assistance.
Maryland — MD Board of Social Work Examiners
https://mdbnc.health.maryland.gov/bsweVerification/supervisionZip.aspx
Free primary-source verification. If the receiving board requires verification to be sent directly by Maine, contact the Board at [email protected] or 410-764-4788.
Massachusetts — Board of Registration of Social Workers
Free primary-source verification.
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/request-a-verification-of-your-license-certificate-or-exam
Online request tool if receiving board requires verification to be sent directly.
Michigan — LARA Board of Social Work
Online lookup
Email or mail written verification
Minnesota — MN Board of Social Work
Mail written verification
Online lookup
Mississippi — Board of Examiners for Social Workers & Marriage and Family Therapists
Online lookup
Mail written verification
You are requested to upload a License Request Verification Form which you obtain from the state where you want your verification sent to.
Missouri — Committee for Social Workers
Online lookup
Email or mail written verification
Montana — Board of Social Work Examiners
Mail written verification
Online lookup
Nebraska — DHHS Licensure Unit
Mail written verification
Primary source online lookup
Nevada — Board of Examiners for Social Workers
Primary source online lookup
New Hampshire — Office of Professional Licensure & Certification
Mail written verification
Online lookup
New Jersey — NJ State Board of Social Work Examiners
Online lookup, contact directly for written verification at:
[email protected]
Phone: (973) 504-6495
Fax: (973) 792-4267
New Mexico — RLD Board of Social Work Examiners
Email or mail written verification
Primary source online lookup
New York — NYS Education Department, Office of the Professions
Email written verification
Online lookup
North Carolina — NC Social Work Certification & Licensure Board
Primary source online lookup
North Dakota — ND Board of Social Work Examiners
Email written verification
Primary source online lookup
Ohio — Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Primary source online lookup
Oklahoma — State Board of Licensed Social Workers
Online lookup
Email written verification
You are requested to upload a License Request Verification Form which you obtain from the state where you want your verification sent to.
Oregon — Board of Licensed Social Workers
Primary source online lookup, contact directly for written verification at:
Board of Licensed Social Workers
3218 Pringle Rd SE, Suite 240
Salem, OR 97302-6310
Telephone: 503-378-5735
E-mail: [email protected]
Pennsylvania — Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists & Professional Counselors
Online lookup
Email written verification
Rhode Island — RI Department of Health
Online lookup
Mail written verification
South Carolina — LLR Board of Social Work Examiners
Online lookup
Further written verification through portal
South Dakota — Board of Social Work Examiners
Primary source online lookup, contact directly for written verification at:
810 N. Main St. Suite 298
Spearfish, SD 57783
Phone: 605.642.1600
Fax: 605.722.1006
Email: [email protected]
Tennessee — Board of Social Worker Licensure
Primary source online lookup, contact directly for written verification at:
615-741-5735 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide
[email protected]
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Texas — Behavioral Health Executive Council
Online lookup
Email or mail written verification
Utah — DOPL Social Work
Online look up
Email or mail written verification
Vermont — Office of Professional Regulation
Link to portal where you can request written verification and digital lookup
Mail in form for written verification
Virginia — VA Board of Social Work
Online lookup
Email written verification
Washington — WA Department of Health
Online lookup
Email or mail
West Virginia — WV Board of Social Work
Online lookup, email or mail
You are requested to upload a License Request Verification Form which you obtain from the state where you want your verification sent to.
Wisconsin — DSPS Social Worker Section
Online lookup
Email or mail
Wyoming — Mental Health Professions Licensing Board
Online lookup, email or mail
Washington, D.C. — DC Health, Board of Social Work
Online lookup or mail