TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - Florida lawmakers are working to address the state’s critical shortage of social workers by making it easier for out-of-state professionals to practice here without navigating complex licensing requirements.

A bipartisan bill would allow Florida to join a social worker licensure compact that 31 other states have already adopted, including all of Florida’s neighboring states. The legislation aims to tackle Florida’s ranking of 43rd in the nation for social worker availability, with approximately one social worker for every 2,000 residents.

“We just want to be here to help. And this compact will allow us to do that,” said Christina Cazanave-McCarthy, Florida Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers Executive Director.

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