Ohio Becomes the 3rd State to Grant Counseling Compact Privileges

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.