The Counseling Compact is live for licensees in Arizona and Minnesota, marking a major milestone in improving access to licensed professional counseling services across state lines.
Arizona and Minnesota are the first two 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.
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) licensed by Minnesota and who live in Minnesota can apply for the privilege to practice in Arizona.
Across the country, 37 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 and Minnesota can use the link below to register and apply.
APPLY HERE
Verification of Privileges
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