The Counseling Compact is live for licensees in Arizona, Minnesota, and Ohio.
Arizona, Minnesota, and Ohio are the first three states to complete the technical and regulatory steps necessary for implementation, including secure data sharing and system testing.
Currently, only:
-
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) licensed by Arizona and who live in Arizona can apply for the privilege to practice in Minnesota and Ohio.
-
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) licensed by Minnesota and who live in Minnesota can apply for the privilege to practice in Arizona and Ohio.
-
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) licensed by Ohio and who live in Ohio can apply for the privilege to practice in Arizona and Minnesota.
Across the country, 36 additional states and the District of Columbia are actively completing the steps needed to begin issuing and receiving privileges under the Counseling Compact. Readiness efforts may include:
-
- Adopting rules and establishing fees
-
- Implementing federal criminal background checks with FBI authorization
-
- Preparing IT systems to provide data in the required format
-
- Assigning and training staff for system use and customer support
-
- Conducting full testing of data upload and validation processes
-
- Creating an application process to convert a privilege to a home state license
The Counseling Compact Commission will add states and the District of Columbia to the Compact as they meet all requirements. Licensees with questions about participation are encouraged to contact their jurisdictional licensing board directly.
The Counseling Compact recognizes that the timeline for compliance may vary, and some states may require additional time to complete all steps. Throughout the process, the Compact remains committed to providing guidance, resources, and support to help states successfully prepare for participation.
Licensees in Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio can use the link below to register and apply.
Your privilege to practice expires on the same date as your home state license at the time the privilege is issued. The expiration date of the privilege is displayed during the application process in CompactConnect.
Importantly, the privilege expiration date does not automatically update when you renew your home state license. To extend your privilege, you must renew it in CompactConnect after your home state renews your license and reports the new expiration date to the system.
The timing of your application can affect both the duration of your privilege and the total fees you pay. The examples below illustrate common scenarios.
Note: Current Ohio privilege fees are used in the examples.
Example 1: Applying Before Renewing Your Home State License
Your home state license expires in 30 days, and you need to see a client immediately in another compact state. You apply for the privilege and are granted one that expires on the same date as your current license. Two weeks later, you renew your home state license, and the updated expiration date appears in CompactConnect. To continue practicing, you must renew your privilege and pay the applicable fees again.
Fees paid to the Compact:
- Initial privilege fee: $55
- Privilege renewal fee (shortly thereafter): $55
- Total: $110
Example 2: Renewing Your License Before Applying for the Privilege
Your home state license expires in 30 days, but you do not have an immediate need to see clients in other compact states. You first renew your home state license, and your state updates your information in CompactConnect. The new license expiration date—typically one to two years out—now appears in the system. You then apply for the privilege and are granted one that is valid through the full license term.
Fees paid to the Compact:
- Initial privilege fee: $55
- Total: $55
FAQ
When can I start using the privilege to practice? As soon as your privilege number appears on your dashboard, you can start practicing in the remote state. Your privilege number should appear almost instantaneously. If your transaction is completed successfully and you do not see the information on your personal dashboard, contact the compact info@counselingcompact.gov.
Will I be sent a wall certificate for each privilege to practice? No. The Commission is not issuing hard copies of documents. You can print a verification document from the link at the top of your dashboard. Entities can also verify your privilege by visiting https://app.compactconnect.org/Search.
Can I start advertising that I can see clients in the states where I have the privilege to practice? The Counseling Compact does not regulate advertising in the member states. Privilege holders should review the applicable law in each state to ensure their compliance with state law and regulation