September 25, 2026

By Laura Groshong, LICSW, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice

Here is your new copy of The Aware Advocate, which is my occasional summary of issues that affect clinical social workers. This issue includes information on the 2026 Number of LCSWs in the country; current status of the Compact; current status of the LCSW reimbursement bill; and lobbying for the revision of MSWs to be returned to the professional degree category in order to allow the ability of MSW students to have the previous level of federal student loan amounts.

Current Number of LCSWs

Many thanks to our new MSW intern, Rachel Diderickson, who has gathered all the current number of LCSWs in the states and jurisdictions. LCSW numbers continue to climb, as they have since CSWA started doing our yearly summary of LCSWs in 2022. The current total is 449,544, an increase of over 45,000 from the 2025 number of LCSWs. To see the breakdown by state, please view or download this pdf or visit the CSWA website.

Current Status of the Compact

The current status of the Compact is that it is moving along more quickly than before. There will be an annual meeting of all 35 delegates and ex officio members (including me) the first weekend of November in Salt Lake City, which will be funded by ASWB. There are now six committees that have been created to run the Compact and I am honored to have been named the Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, as well as being appointed to the By-Laws and Communications Committees. We are still on track to have the Compact running early in 2027; the next step is receiving confirmation from all social work boards that they have created a system for processing the applications and funds for individuals who wish to join the Compact. A template was created by the Council of State Governments for boards to use.

Current Status of the Reimbursement Bill

While these bills (S.4202 / H.R.8081) will allow LCSWs (and counselors and MFTs) to work independently in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and have an increase of 10% in Medicare reimbursement to 85% of what psychologists get paid for psychotherapy services; it is unlikely there will be any action on them until after the elections in November. CSWA and other master’s-level associations are still lobbying Congressional staff members to be ready to move this legislation, especially if the House and/or Senate flip to Democratic control in the elections.

Current Status of the RISE Bill Changes

The move to return LCSWs to the “professional degree” category, which will reinstate increased federal funding for MSW students, is still ongoing. The goal at this time is to have some Republican senators support this effort with a Manager’s Amendment sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray. CSWA and other master’s-level associations are also still lobbying Congressional staff members to be ready to move this legislation, especially if the Senate flips in the elections. Stay tuned for more information in November.

Please let me know if you have any questions on these issues by emailing me at lwgroshong@clinicalsocialworkassociation.org.