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Your Professional Home

When you join the American Counseling Association, you become part of an organization dedicated to advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research. We provide resources; professional development, service and advocacy opportunities; events and educational experiences and other great perks geared toward supporting you at all stages of your career in counseling.

The Value of Membership

CredibilityBuild and sharpen your skills through leadership development programs.

  • Advance your knowledge and earn CEs at the Conference & Expo (spring) and Professional Practice Summit (fall).
  • Enjoy in-depth news and features about professional counseling through the award-winning Counseling Today magazine and read the latest research online in the Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD).
  • Earn continuing education (CE) credits online at your convenience, including 12 free online CE courses each year (a $299 value).
  • Find digital and print resources at member prices through the bookstore. Plus, listen to podcasts, webinars and blogs for engaging conversations on hot topics.
  • Receive discounts on malpractice  liability insurance to protect your assets and cover your expenses in the event of a claim. (Free to master’s degree students. Professionals receive a 10% discount each year – some exclusions apply.)

Practice SupportDiscover and navigate the steps to build and sustain a successful career.

  • State licensure requirements and education prerequisites, including private consultations scheduled exclusively with members.
  • Career Services Programs enable members to search job boards, post resumes, receive custom job alerts, schedule career consultations and/or resume, CV and cover letter reviews and more.
  • Ethics consultations with a staff expert are available if a challenging ethical dilemma arises — an exclusive member benefit. Guidance on setting up a private practice is available with experienced professionals.
  • Members-only savings discounts on professional malpractice liability, auto, home and personal insurance products, as well as discounts on car rentals and hotels.

Advocacy in ActionAmplify your voice on legislation and other issues impacting the profession.

  • Medicare reimbursement is now law. This law will allow over 200,000 mental health professionals to enroll as Medicare providers. Review the fact sheet on how to prepare to accept Medicare in starting in January 2024.
  • The  Counseling Compact is a contract among states allowing professional counselors licensed and residing in a Compact member state to practice in other Compact member states without the need for multiple licenses.
  • ACA’s annual Hill Day (held virtually 2020-2023) is a chance to learn how to speak with legislators and understand the ins and outs of the Washington political field. Members listen to and learn from government affairs experts on a variety of topics affecting their careers and the counseling profession.

Community ConnectionsShare your knowledge, showcase your expertise and expand your network.

  • Access ACA Connect, a private, secure space where members ask for advice, gather input on counseling-related topics, join discussions about trends or challenges and more.
  • Submit a proposal to present at a professional development event.
  • Celebrate your peers! Since 1956, our National Awards have shone a spotlight on those who go above and beyond in their commitment to the counseling profession.
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  • It was around 1979 that I became an ACA member and since that time I have attended every ACA counseling conference up to the upcoming 2024 conference in New Orleans. This had not been a duty, but a connection that I value. In my 60-year professional career, one of the most enjoyable and beneficial aspects are the relationships that I have cultivated with my many colleagues.

    Gerald Corey, EdD, ABPP

Membership Tiers*

    • Student Membership Tier
      Student
      $105
    • New Membership Tier
      New Professional
      $105
    • Professional Member
      Professional
      $189
    • Regular Membership Level
      Regular
      $189
    • Retired Membership Tier
      Retired
      $105
More About Membership Tiers

* All members must abide by the ACA Code of Ethics.

Become an ACA Member

We are the only organization committed to advancing the profession and career path of counselors through advocacy efforts, learning and continuing education, member savings programs, networking opportunities, and more. You deserve to be connected to this unique community throughout your education experience, practice setting and overall professional journey. We are here for you!

Want to print our application? Download the General or Student membership application. Read Membership FAQs.

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