License Inactive Status

Inactive Status

Licensees who are not practicing social work in the State have two options:

1. Inactive Status:  An Inactive license still must be renewed every two years similar to an active license but may not meet requirements for CPD and Healthcare Professions Profile.

2. Lapsed Status: Allowing a license to expire, or “lapse,” is the other option. In addition to no CPD or HPPP required while lapsed, no application or renewal fee are required. However, new considerations are under Rules review for how to return back to active status from Lapsed Status, and these may differ from returning back from Inactive Status. 

Anyone who is considering going inactive or allowing the license to lapse, should definitely review the DORA Board Rules so they can prepare accordingly - and understand that these Rules are up for reconsideration as stated above. Reactivating/Reinstating a license requires the licensee to demonstrate their Continuing Professional Competence and may additionally require they demonstrate Competency to Practice if they are inactive/lapsed more than two years.

To reactivate an inactive license or reinstate an expired/lapsed license, the following are examples that DORA may require (again, review the DORA Rules) to demonstrate Continuing Professional Competence:

1. Complete the CPD program requirements including demonstration of their completion of 40 Professional Development Hours accrued within the two years preceding the application to reactive/reinstate.

2. Complete a Healthcare Professions Profile

If the licensee has been inactive/lapsed for more than two years DORA may additionally require taking the Jurisprudence Exam and ONE of the following options to demonstrate Competency to Practice:

1. Take the ASWB clinical licensure examination

2. Demonstrate they were practicing in a different jurisdiction

3. Accrue an additional 10 Professional Development Hours for each year they were inactive/lapsed.

4. Other means approved by the Board.