What is the Counseling Compact?

Since 2019, ACA has been working with the National Center for Interstate Compacts to create and operationalize a compact for counselors — and now the Counseling Compact is operational. The Compact will change the way counselors practice by reducing barriers to interstate care, hopefully,

Improving continuity of care
Increasing accessibility for underserved communities
Providing military families with more flexibility

ACA is proud to be a major contributor to the establishment and development of the Counseling Compact, designating $1.8 million to these efforts so far. The compact has now been passed by the legislatures 39 states and jurisdictions, including 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. and Nevada.

Latest State Map Updates

Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia have now passed the Compact legislation! The Counseling Compact Commission hopes to start granting privileges to practice in other Compact states by the fall 2025. Click on the states below to see pending or passed legislation.

Things to Know

What is the Compact and who is it for?

The Counseling Compact is a legislative agreement among participating states which allows counselors to practice across state lines either in person or via telehealth. It is a mutual recognition model, which means that every participating state agrees to recognize the license of all eligible counselors from every other member state and allow them a privilege to practice in that state. Everything is tied to the counselor’s home state and they must have a valid, unencumbered license from the state where they legally reside.

Who is eligible?

The Compact allows counselors licensed to practice independently to be granted a privilege, comparable to a license, to practice in another Compact state, to use telehealth in their practice, to practice on a home state license in any Compact state if a military spouse, and to utilize an expedited process to obtain a new home license when they move to another state. To be eligible, counselors must hold an unencumbered license from their home state; be able to practice independently and to assess, diagnose and treat behavioral health conditions; and pass an FBI background check. The Compact applies only to counselors licensed as LPCs, or whatever designation the state uses. MFTs, Art/Music/Dance therapists and other mental health professionals with other licenses are not eligible to participate. Psychologists and Social workers have their own compacts

State eligibility requirements

States are eligible to join the Compact if their requirements for licensure include requiring a 60-hour degree in counseling or 60 hours in designated graduate coursework, requiring post-degree supervised experience, and passing a nationally recognized examination. Further, the state’s regulation must include diagnostic authority. The Compact does not change initial licensure requirements for states; states continue to set the standards for licensing in their state. However, only states that meet the criteria can participate in the Compact. LPCs or the equivalent licensed in those states that enact the Compact can access a privilege to practice.

The Commission's next steps

The Commission consists of a representatives from each of the Compact member states. Each licensing board appoints one current member of their board to serve as a commissioner. The full Commissioner meets at least twice a year to address the business of the Compact. There are currently four subcommittees: the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, the Rules Committee and the Compliance Committee. A Nominations and Elections subcommittee will be empaneled soon. A representative from ACA, AASCB, NBCC and AMHCA serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.

The Commissioners have promulgated rules to operationalize the Compact, developed the budget, hired a vendor to develop the database, and other actions such as designating the required national counseling exam. The Commission cannot go beyond the requirements of the Compact legislation but can provide details and clarity about the regulations. Counselors are welcome to attend Commission meetings or review past meeting minutes at CounselingCompact.Gov.

Counseling Compact FAQs: Listen Now

Counseling Compact News

Ohio Becomes the 3rd State to Grant Counseling Compact Privileges

Jan 5, 2026

Alexandria, Va. (January 5, 2026) — The American Counseling Association (ACA) is thrilled to announce that Ohio is the latest state to begin granting privileges under the Counseling Compact, marking another significant milestone in expanding access to mental health care. This exciting development means licensed professional counselors in Ohio can now practice across state lines, helping to bridge gaps in care and bring vital services to communities in need. ACA celebrates this progress as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting counselors and improving access for millions of Americans. Ohio is the third state to grant privileges under the Compact, joining Arizona and Minnesota.

Working with the National Center for Interstate Compacts and other partners, ACA played a lead role in the creation of the Compact, investing close to $2 million in the initiative. In addition, thousands of individual counselors dedicated energy, passion and countless hours to get compact legislation passed in their local communities. To date, 38 states and the District of Columbia have ratified the interstate agreement.

The compact is a legislative agreement among participating states that allows professional counselors to practice across state lines either in person or via telehealth. It is a mutual recognition model that functions much like a driver’s license — participating states agree to recognize the license of all eligible counselors from other compact states, allowing them a privilege to practice. Previously, counselors have had difficulty transferring their licenses from one state or jurisdiction to another because of the independent nature of jurisdictional licensing rules and regulations. There was little consistency regarding the requirements for licensure, and these varying requirements make it difficult to transfer one’s license.

"The ability to practice across state lines is essential in meeting the mental health needs of so many Americans, especially those who are located in remote and rural areas where we often see a dearth of professional counselors," said ACA President Elsa Soto Leggett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, CSC. "This compact helps to close that gap, giving more people access to professional counseling services, including the estimated 122 million people in the U.S. who live in areas with mental health provider shortages."

States and jurisdictions that have passed Counseling Compact legislation include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.

To learn more, visit the ACA website and watch this video interview with ACA's Lynn Linde on what counselors can expect going forward.

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About the American Counseling Association

Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 60,000 members and is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Driven by the belief that all people can benefit from the power of counseling, ACA’s mission is to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for counselors, and ensure that ethical, culturally inclusive practices protect our members’ clients and all people who seek counseling services. For more information, visit the ACA website and follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky and YouTube.

Contact Our Advocacy Team

advocacy@counseling.org