Counseling Compact States: A Complete Guide For Mental Health Professionals

The Counseling Compact is an interstate agreement that may allow licensed professional counselors to practice across state lines in participating states without applying for a separate license in each one. As of 2026, 40 states and jurisdictions have enacted the compact, and many are already issuing privileges to practice. If you're a counselor exploring your options for multi-state practice, or a client wondering how licensure affects your access to care, understanding which states participate can be a helpful starting point.

Below, explore what the Counseling Compact is, a full list of member states organized by status, eligibility requirements, how to apply for a compact privilege, and how this compact differs from PSYPACT. You'll also find information about alternative paths for practicing across state lines and how online therapy can connect clients with qualified providers.

What is the Counseling Compact?

The Counseling Compact is an interstate agreement among participating states that can allow eligible counselors to practice in other member states based on their existing home state license. Rather than applying for a brand-new license in each state, a qualifying counselor may obtain a privilege to practice, which authorizes them to offer services in another member state. This arrangement was created to expand access to mental health care and to make it easier for counselors to serve clients across state lines.

The compact was organized by the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the National Center for Interstate Compacts and applies specifically to licensed professional counselors. It's worth noting that it's separate from PSYPACT, which serves psychologists with doctoral degrees.

Counselors interested in the compact can learn more through the Counseling Compact resources available online.

Who qualifies for the Counseling Compact?

Eligibility for the compact tends to depend on your credentials and where you currently hold your license. In most cases, a counselor may qualify if they meet certain baseline conditions. Here are some of the common eligibility requirements:

• Holding an active, unencumbered license as a professional counselor in a home state that has enacted the compact
• Meeting the education and examination standards recognized by the compact
• Having no disqualifying disciplinary history against your license
• Completing any required background check
• Paying any applicable fees associated with obtaining a privilege to practice

Because requirements can vary and continue to evolve, it can be helpful to review the official compact resources before applying. Once you understand eligibility, the next step is knowing which states currently participate.

Full list of counseling compact member states

One of the most common questions counselors have is which specific states have joined the compact. As of 2026, 40 states and jurisdictions have enacted the Counseling Compact, though that number continues to grow as more legislatures pass the necessary laws. States generally fall into two categories: those actively issuing privileges and those that have enacted the compact but are still implementing it.

Because state participation and status can change frequently, it can be helpful to verify the most current information directly through the official Counseling Compact website.

States that have enacted the Counseling Compact

The following states and jurisdictions have enacted the Counseling Compact. Because the list is regularly updated, counselors are encouraged to confirm current status:

• Georgia
• Maryland
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• West Virginia
• Utah
• Maine
• Florida
• Kentucky
• Nebraska
• Tennessee
• Colorado
• Louisiana
• Ohio
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Delaware
• Wyoming
• Arkansas
• Virginia
• Kansas
• Washington
• Montana
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Indiana
• Vermont
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Connecticut
• Wisconsin
• New Jersey
• South Dakota
• Arizona
• South Carolina
• Minnesota
• Rhode Island
• Washington, D.C.
• Nevada
• Pennsylvania

Some states have moved beyond enacting legislation and have gone live, meaning they are currently issuing privileges to practice. As of September 2026, these states include:

• Arizona
• Wyoming
• Minnesota
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Tennessee
• Georgia

Others have passed the legislation to join the compact but have not yet begun issuing privileges. "Implementing" generally means the state is working through administrative steps, such as establishing rules or joining the shared data system, before counselors can apply for a privilege there.

If your state is still implementing, you may need to wait until it goes live before applying. In the meantime, understanding the application process can help you prepare.

How to apply for a counseling compact privilege

Applying for a compact privilege can be a relatively straightforward process once your home state is issuing privileges and you meet the eligibility requirements. Applications are handled through the official Counseling Compact portal where you can also confirm your eligibility and review current fees.

Application requirements and process

While specifics can vary, the general steps involved in applying for a privilege to practice often look like this:

1. Confirm that your home state has enacted the compact and is actively issuing privileges.
2. Verify that you hold an active, unencumbered license in that home state.
3. Gather any required documentation, such as license details and identification.
4. Complete any necessary background check as directed.
5. Submit your application through the official Counseling Compact portal and pay any applicable fees.

Consulting the official portal directly can provide the most accurate, up-to-date guidance for your situation. It may also help to understand how the Counseling Compact compares to the compact designed for psychologists.

Counseling Compact vs. PSYPACT: Understanding the difference

One area that can cause confusion is the distinction between the Counseling Compact and PSYPACT. Both are interstate agreements designed to expand cross-state practice, but they serve different credentials. The Counseling Compact serves licensed professional counselors, who typically hold master's degrees, while PSYPACT applies to psychologists with doctoral degrees such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D.

The following table offers a side-by-side comparison to help you identify which compact may apply to your credential:

For counselors and clients who fall outside either compact, or whose state hasn't joined, there are still other paths to consider, including temporary practice laws.

Practicing therapy across state lines without the compact

Not every state has joined the Counseling Compact, and some counselors may not yet qualify for a privilege. In those cases, alternative options may be available. Whether a therapist can practice across state lines can depend on their license, the laws of the state they are licensed within, and the laws of any states they also want to practice in. Telehealth laws also vary depending on the state and country a therapist is located in, as well as the client's location.

Many states may only allow therapists to practice with clients who also live in the state where the therapist holds a license. Some states, however, allow clinicians licensed elsewhere to offer telehealth to their residents or to register as providers rather than obtaining a new license.

Temporary practice laws

Short-term travel situations can sometimes be addressed through temporary practice provisions. For example, in some cases, a therapist could provide telehealth to an established client while either the therapist or the client was temporarily traveling out of state. The ability to provide services across state lines for a limited time due to temporary travel is usually allowed through temporary practice laws.

When to consult a licensing attorney

Because telehealth and licensing laws can be complex and change quickly, consulting a lawyer who specializes in this type of licensing may help. An attorney can offer the most up-to-date information and advise you on where and how you can lawfully practice teletherapy. This kind of guidance can be especially useful for counselors weighing multiple state requirements at once.

Benefits of online therapy for clients

For clients, the expansion of cross-state practice through the compact can mean broader access to counselors who are able to practice in your state—an important consideration given the average 13-week wait for an in-person therapy appointment in the United States. Attending sessions from home may also be a convenient option, potentially saving time and money since it may not require travel, and online platforms can simplify the search for qualified care. If you'd like to explore your options, online therapy can be a helpful first step.

*Based on finalized paid psychiatry visits with a copay. Insurance availability, coverage, and costs vary by state, plan, provider network, and provider availability.

BetterHelp also now offers psychiatry services through UpLift as an additional care option available alongside therapy, which may be part of a holistic mental health care experience. Psychiatry services may include medication management when clinically appropriate, with all treatment decisions made by a licensed psychiatric provider. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan.

How effective is online therapy?

Therapy delivered remotely may be a meaningful option for many people, and research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for a range of mental health concerns.

Platforms like BetterHelp can connect clients with therapists licensed to practice in their area from a network of more than 30,000 qualified providers, which can remove the burden of verifying licensure and help you get started with care that fits your life.