What is a Counseling Compact?
The Counseling Compact is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the mobility of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) across state lines, facilitating telehealth services, and improving access to mental health care. This article delves into the details of the Counseling Compact, including its operational aspects, benefits, potential drawbacks, and a step-by-step guide on how LPCs can participate.
What Is the Counseling Compact?
The Counseling Compact is an interstate agreement that allows LPCs licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without needing to obtain multiple state licenses. This compact is designed to streamline the licensure process, reduce barriers to interstate practice, and improve access to mental health services, especially in underserved areas.
Which States Are Participating?
As of June 2025, the following states have enacted legislation to join the Counseling Compact:
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Alabama
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Arizona
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Arkansas
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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District of Columbia
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Florida
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Georgia
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Indiana
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Iowa
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Kansas
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Kentucky
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Louisiana
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Maine
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Minnesota
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Maryland
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Mississippi
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Missouri
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Montana
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Nebraska
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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North Carolina
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North Dakota
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Ohio
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Oklahoma
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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South Dakota
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Tennessee
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Utah
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Vermont
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Virginia
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Washington
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West Virginia
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Wisconsin
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Wyoming
For a visual representation and the most up-to-date information, visit the Counseling Compact Map.
When Does the Compact Go into Effect?
The Counseling Compact is expected to begin granting privileges to practice in other compact states some time in 2025, with some estimates suggesting as early as late summer or early fall 2025. However, the exact timeline may vary, and counselors are encouraged to monitor official updates from the Counseling Compact Commission and the American Counseling Association (ACA) for the latest information. According to the ACA, “The Counseling Compact is not yet issuing compact privileges to practice…The Counseling Compact is enacted in some states, meaning those states have passed legislation to be part of the compact. However, the Counseling Compact is not yet operationalized, meaning the process to apply for and receive compact privileges is in the works and will be available in 2025.”
Eligibility Requirements for LPCs
To participate in the Counseling Compact, LPCs must meet the following criteria:
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Home State License: Hold an unencumbered license to practice independently in their primary state of residence.
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Independence: Be authorized to independently assess, diagnose, and treat behavioral health conditions.
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Background Check: Successfully pass an FBI background check.
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Education and Experience: Possess a master's or doctoral degree in counseling and have completed supervised post-graduate experience.
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Examination: Have passed a nationally recognized examination in counseling.
It's important to note that LPCs must apply for a privilege to practice in each compact state where they intend to offer services. This privilege is not automatic upon joining the compact.
How to Participate in the Compact
While applications for compact privileges are expected to open in late summer or early fall 2025, LPCs can take the following preparatory steps:
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Ensure License Status: Verify that your home state license is unencumbered and in good standing.
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Stay Informed: Regularly check the Counseling Compact website and the ACA's Counseling Compact page for updates on the application process.
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Prepare Documentation: Gather necessary documents, including proof of education, supervised experience, and examination results.
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Complete Required Exams: Be prepared to take any state-specific jurisprudence exams that may be required by the compact states where you wish to practice.
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Submit Application: Once applications are open, submit your application through the official compact portal.
Benefits of the Counseling Compact for LPCs
The compact allows LPCs to practice in multiple states without obtaining separate licenses, making it easier to relocate (e.g., for family, military, or career reasons) or expand practice areas. LPCs can offer both virtual and in-state services allowing therapists to provide services without obtaining a new, and separate license—streamlining access to clients in multiple jurisdictions.
LPCs can legally offer telehealth services to clients in compact states, helping meet growing demand for remote mental health care and increasing access to care for clients in remote or underserved areas.
Military spouses who are LPCs can designate their home state and practice in any compact state for the duration of active or reserve service, facilitating career continuity. By retaining practice privileges across compact states, LPCs reduce disruptions caused by relocations due to military assignments.
The compact provides an expedited pathway to licensure when moving to another compact state, reducing the time and cost associated with obtaining a new license. The compact offers a faster, more efficient process to gain privileges to practice in other states, eliminating repetitive applications and reducing administrative barriers.
Being part of the compact can open doors to new professional opportunities, including collaborations and employment in different states. With fewer geographic limitations, LPCs can access broader employment options, pursue consulting or teaching roles in other states, or expand private practices.
The compact requires consistent minimum standards—such as graduate education, national exam passage, and clean background checks—enhancing trust in credentialing across states.
Counselors can continue treating clients who relocate to other compact states or who travel regularly, promoting therapeutic consistency and reducing disruptions in mental health support.
The compact includes mechanisms for disciplinary coordination and accountability among member states, which can enhance public trust and professional reputation.
Although state-specific requirements may still apply, counselors often avoid duplicative CEUs or re-examinations that are typically required when applying for multiple state licenses individually.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
Practicing in multiple states may expose LPCs to varying legal standards and regulations, potentially increasing liability risks. It's crucial to understand and comply with each state's laws and ethical guidelines.
While the compact aims to reduce licensing costs, counselors may still incur fees for applications, exams, and other requirements in each compact state.
Managing multiple privileges to practice and staying updated on each state's regulations can be administratively challenging. Even though the compact simplifies licensure, counselors must still stay informed and comply with the professional regulations of each compact state they practice in. This can create a complex legal and ethical landscape to navigate, especially when state laws conflict.
Differences in scope of practice across states may require LPCs to adjust their services to comply with local laws, impacting service delivery. Each state defines counseling practices slightly differently. A service or intervention permitted in a counselor’s home state may not be allowed in another compact state. This variation can limit the types of services a counselor is authorized to provide across state lines.
The Bottom Line
The Counseling Compact represents a significant advancement in the field of professional counseling, offering LPCs greater flexibility, expanded reach, and enhanced opportunities for practice across state lines. The Counseling Compact provides a modern solution for today’s increasingly mobile and telehealth-driven counseling profession, aiming to reduce regulatory friction while maintaining high standards of care and accountability. By understanding the compact's requirements, benefits, and potential challenges, LPCs can make informed decisions about participation and prepare for a more mobile and interconnected professional future.
For more information and updates, visit the Counseling Compact website and the ACA's Counseling Compact page.