Military Member + Spouse Info / State of Minnesota Board of Social Work

Military Servicemember + Spouse Information

These pages give an overview of the options available for military servicemembers and their spouses regarding their social work license. This includes license portability, renewal application, and fees exemption. If you have questions or would like more information about these topics, please contact the Board of Social work at social.work@state.mn.us

License Portability
License Renewal App. + Fee Exemption

Federal Law for Active Service Personnel + Spouse

License Portability for Military Servicemembers and their Spouses
On January 5, 2023, a New Federal Law was signed allowing professional license portability for servicemembers and their spouses who relocate because of military orders. The Department of Defense is expected to issue guidance to professional licensing authorities regarding implementation of this law. The Board of Social Work has created an interim procedure to support the portability of social work licenses held by servicemembers and their spouses who are relocated to Minnesota.

If you are a servicemember or the spouse of a servicemember who is licensed to practice social work in another state and you are relocated to Minnesota, the Board will consider your out-of-state license valid in Minnesota once you have submitted the following to the Board:
- A copy of military order relocating you to Minnesota
- A copy of photo identification
- Documentation from the state that issued your license to practice social work that your out-of-state license is in good standing
- A public address
- Military Servicemember/Spouse Portability Registration Form
When the Board receives this information, your name will be added to a registry of servicemembers and spouses whose out-of-state licenses are valid for the practice of social work in Minnesota.

By providing this information to the Board, you agree to the following:
- Your name, the state in which you are licensed and your license number, and the equivalent license level in Minnesota will be published on the Board’s website.
- You submit to the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Board of Social Work for the purposes of standards of practice and discipline.
- You will be required to meet continuing education requirements found in Minnesota Statutes 148E.130.
Tennessen Warning

The Board is seeking data from you which may be considered private or confidential under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Minn. Stat. sec. 13.04, subd. 2 requires the Board to notify you of the following four matters before you are asked to supply such information:
1. This data is being collected to determine whether you meet the requirements for your license to be considered valid to practice social work in Minnesota;
2. You are not legally required to provide the information requested, but failure to do so may result in the denial of validation;
3. If you supply the data requested and it shows a violation of any of the statutes or rules enforced by the Board, you may be subject to disciplinary or other action by the Board. In addition, falsification or omission of information may be used by the Board as a basis for disciplinary action.
4. The data which you supply will be accessible to Board staff and may also be released to other persons or governmental entities that have statutory authority to review the data, investigate specific conduct, or take appropriate legal action, such as Board members and the Attorney General. If the Board institutes a formal disciplinary action against you, the information you supply could become public.
State Law for Military Personnel

License Renewal Application and Fee Exemption for Active Military Service

Under Minnesota Statutes Section 326.56, a Minnesota licensee who is ordered into active military service or engaged in employment outside of the United States that is essential to prosecution of a war or to national defense is exempt from filing any renewal applications or paying any license renewal fees for the duration of that service or employment, and for six months following that service or employment.

If you are eligible for this exemption, please notify the Board by providing evidence of eligibility, such as a copy of your duty orders. You may still receive renewal notifications while you are exempt from renewal requirements. If you receive a renewal notification while you are exempt due to service or employment, please confirm to the Board that you are still in exempt status.

Within 6 months of the end of your exemption eligibility, you will need to submit an Application for Licensure Renewal and the appropriate renewal fee to the Board. This renewal must include certification of completion of CE hours since the end of your exemption.

Licensee/Applicants

Online Services Login

Public License Lookup

Forms

CE Provider list

Public

Public License Lookup

File a Complaint

Military Servicemember + Spouse Information

Federal Law for Active Service Personnel + Spouse

License Portability for Military Servicemembers and their Spouses

Tennessen Warning

State Law for Military Personnel

License Renewal Application and Fee Exemption for Active Military Service