⚠️ Important: This comparison is based on published state licensing requirements and may not reflect recent changes. Reciprocity and transfer rules change frequently and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by state licensing boards. This tool is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always contact Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) directly to confirm current transfer requirements before submitting any applications or fees.

Transfer Your Social Worker License: Pennsylvania → Ohio

Everything you need to know about transferring your social worker license from Pennsylvania to Ohio

Reciprocity Available

Ohio has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. License by endorsement is also available for practitioners from non-compact states.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Pennsylvania (PA)	Ohio (OH)
Education Requirements	Not available	Not available
Exam Requirements	Not available	Not available
Experience Requirements	Not available	Not available
Fees	application fee: $90; aswb exam fee: $260 (Clinical level); license fee: Included in application fee; supervision registration fee: $0; renewal fee: $95 biennial renewal; total initial fees: $305 (LCSW application $45 + ASWB exam $260); confidence: high; sources: https://therapistdevelopmentcenter.com/social-work-licensure/pennsylvania-social-work-license	application fee: $103.50 ($100 + $3.50 processing); aswb exam fee: $230-$260; license fee: Included in application fee; supervision registration fee: Not separately specified; renewal fee: $103.50 (biennial); total initial fees: Approximately $363.50 (LISW application + Clinical exam); confidence: high; sources: https://cswmft.ohio.gov/
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: Current cycle: March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2027; next cycle: March 1, 2027 – February 28, 2029; CE hours: 30; Fee: $95	Period: 2 years (on license issuance date); CE hours: 30; Fee: Biennial (paid through Ohio eLicense system)

Data verified as of 2026-03-24. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Ohio accepts out-of-state social worker licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.
Renewal differs: Pennsylvania — Period: Current cycle: March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2027; next cycle: March 1, 2027 – February 28, 2029; CE hours: 30; Fee: $95; Ohio — Period: 2 years (on license issuance date); CE hours: 30; Fee: Biennial (paid through Ohio eLicense system).

Next Steps

1
Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) →
2
Request credential verification from State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors (under Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, PA Department of State) — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Pennsylvania board →
3
Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).
4
Submit your application to Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Ohio Licensing Board

Board: Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT)
Website: https://cswmft.ohio.gov/
Phone: (614) 466-0912

Contact Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) to confirm current transfer requirements →

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

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GetLicenseMap is a research tool and does not provide legal, financial, or professional licensing advice. Licensing requirements vary by state and change frequently. Verify all information directly with your state licensing board before making licensing decisions.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Pennsylvania (PA)	Ohio (OH)
Education Requirements	Not available	Not available
Exam Requirements	Not available	Not available
Experience Requirements	Not available	Not available
Fees	application fee: $90; aswb exam fee: $260 (Clinical level); license fee: Included in application fee; supervision registration fee: $0; renewal fee: $95 biennial renewal; total initial fees: $305 (LCSW application $45 + ASWB exam $260); confidence: high; sources: https://therapistdevelopmentcenter.com/social-work-licensure/pennsylvania-social-work-license	application fee: $103.50 ($100 + $3.50 processing); aswb exam fee: $230-$260; license fee: Included in application fee; supervision registration fee: Not separately specified; renewal fee: $103.50 (biennial); total initial fees: Approximately $363.50 (LISW application + Clinical exam); confidence: high; sources: https://cswmft.ohio.gov/
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: Current cycle: March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2027; next cycle: March 1, 2027 – February 28, 2029; CE hours: 30; Fee: $95	Period: 2 years (on license issuance date); CE hours: 30; Fee: Biennial (paid through Ohio eLicense system)

Data verified as of 2026-03-24. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Ohio accepts out-of-state social worker licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.

Renewal differs: Pennsylvania — Period: Current cycle: March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2027; next cycle: March 1, 2027 – February 28, 2029; CE hours: 30; Fee: $95; Ohio — Period: 2 years (on license issuance date); CE hours: 30; Fee: Biennial (paid through Ohio eLicense system).

Next Steps

Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) →

Request credential verification from State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors (under Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, PA Department of State) — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Pennsylvania board →

Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).

Submit your application to Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Transfer Your Social Worker License: Pennsylvania → Ohio

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Ohio Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages

Transfer Your Social Worker License: Pennsylvania → Ohio

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Ohio Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages