Why is mobility important to social workers who practice electronically? If practice crosses jurisdictions, then the social worker must follow the laws in both places. That typically includes holding licenses in more than one jurisdiction.

All social workers who practice electronically should be familiar with the NASW, ASWB, CSWE & CSWA Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice.

And they should ask some important questions as they do their research:

• How is electronic practice defined?
• Who is governed by the provisions? Social workers with out-of-state clients? Out-of-state social workers with in-state clients? In-state social workers only with clients in-state?
• Do special legal provisions for electronic practice exist?
• What requirements are specific to electronic practice?
• Where can I find the rules?

ASWB has compiled a review of state and provincial provisions for the electronic practice of social work  to help social workers find answers to these questions so they can practice legally and safely. The review is a starting point where social workers can find information about their own jurisdiction and the jurisdiction where the client is located.

New in 2021: The listings for states and provinces that have enacted emergency provisions for electronic practice related to the COVID-19 pandemic point social workers to information compiled on the ASWB website’s COVID-19 page.