PSYPACT and the Counseling Compact: Can Your Therapist See You from Another State?
An overview of PSYPACT, the Counseling Compact, and the Social Work Compact — the interstate agreements that allow therapists to practice across state lines via telehealth.
The Problem: Therapy Stops at State Lines
If you have ever moved to a new state, traveled for work, or gone to college out of state, you may have run into a frustrating reality: your therapist cannot legally see you once you cross a state border. Mental health professionals are licensed by individual states, which means a therapist licensed in Maryland cannot treat a client sitting in Virginia — even if that client has been seeing them for years and is just visiting family for a week.
This was a manageable inconvenience before telehealth became widespread. Now that millions of people receive therapy online, it has become a significant barrier to care. Three interstate agreements are working to solve this problem.
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What Is PSYPACT?
PSYPACT — the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact — is an agreement between participating states that allows licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology across state lines without obtaining a separate license in each state. It went into effect in 2020, and as of 2026, 43 states and territories have enacted it.
Here is how it works in practice. A psychologist licensed in a PSYPACT state can apply for an E.Passport (for telepsychology) or an Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (for temporary in-person practice). Once approved, they can provide services to clients in any other PSYPACT state without additional licensing.
What PSYPACT covers: Licensed psychologists providing telepsychology services. This includes clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, and school psychologists in most participating states.
What PSYPACT does not cover: It does not apply to licensed professional counselors, social workers, or marriage and family therapists. Those professions have their own compacts. For more on cross-state telepsychology standards, see the APA telepsychology guidelines.
What Is the Counseling Compact?
The Counseling Compact is a similar interstate agreement, but for licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and licensed professional clinical counselors. It was finalized in 2023, and states began implementing it in 2024 and 2025. As of early 2026, 37 states have enacted the compact, with more considering legislation.
Under the Counseling Compact, a licensed counselor in a member state can obtain a "privilege to practice" in other member states. This allows them to provide both telehealth and in-person services across state lines.
The Counseling Compact requires counselors to meet certain baseline qualifications, including a master's degree in counseling, a passing score on a national exam, and no disciplinary actions on their license.
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What About Social Workers?
The Social Work Licensure Compact follows the same model. It allows licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and other licensed social workers to practice across state lines in member states. As of 2026, 22 states have enacted the compact, though implementation timelines vary.
The social work compact has been slower to grow than PSYPACT and the Counseling Compact, partly because social work licensing categories vary more widely between states.
How the Three Compacts Compare
Interstate Therapy Compacts (2026)
| Feature | PSYPACT | Counseling Compact | Social Work Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profession | Psychologists | Licensed Professional Counselors | Social Workers (LCSW and others) |
| States Participating | 43 | 37+ | 22 |
| Year Enacted | 2020 | 2024–2025 | 2024–2025 |
| Covers Telehealth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Covers In-Person | Yes (with IPC) | Yes | Yes |
| National Exam Required | EPPP | NCE or NCMHCE | ASWB exams |
| Application Process | E.Passport via PSYPACT | Privilege to practice via Compact Commission | Privilege to practice via Compact Commission |
| Cost to Clinician | ~$100–$200 annually | Varies by state | Varies by state |
What This Means for You as a Client
The practical impact depends on what type of therapist you see and what states are involved.
If you see a psychologist and both your state and your therapist's state are in PSYPACT, your therapist can continue seeing you via telehealth if you travel or relocate to another PSYPACT state. Ask your therapist if they hold a PSYPACT E.Passport.
If you see a licensed counselor and both states participate in the Counseling Compact, the same applies. Your counselor can obtain a privilege to practice in your new state. Implementation is still rolling out, so some counselors may not yet have set this up.
If you see a social worker, coverage is more limited since fewer states have joined the Social Work Compact. You may need to ask about your specific states.
If your states are not in the same compact, your therapist still cannot legally treat you across state lines. The options in this case are to find a therapist licensed in your new state, or to wait until the relevant compact expands.
How to Check If Your Therapist Participates
- Ask your therapist directly. They should know whether they hold a compact credential and which states they can practice in.
- Check the PSYPACT map for psychologists.
- Check the Counseling Compact Commission website for licensed counselors.
- Verify your state's participation. Even if a compact exists, your specific state may not have enacted it yet.
Common Situations Where Compacts Help
- College students who want to keep seeing their home-state therapist while at school
- Remote workers who travel frequently or split time between states
- Military families who relocate often
- Snowbirds who spend part of the year in another state
- Anyone in the middle of treatment who moves and does not want to start over with a new therapist
What the Compacts Do Not Solve
Interstate compacts are a significant improvement, but they do not address every barrier.
Insurance complications. As noted above, being legally able to practice in a state does not mean insurers in that state will credential or reimburse the therapist.
Prescribing. These compacts cover therapy, not medication management. Psychiatrists and prescribers are governed by different rules.
States not participating. Some large states have been slow to join certain compacts. If you are in a non-participating state, the compact does not help you.
Emergency situations. Compacts cover ongoing treatment, but crisis services and involuntary holds are still governed by local state law.
If both your home state and the vacation state participate in the relevant compact, and your therapist holds the compact credential, yes. If not, technically your therapist is not supposed to provide services while you are physically in a non-compact state. Some therapists handle this by rescheduling sessions, but the legal answer depends on the specific states involved.
No. The compact credential is something your therapist applies for and maintains. Your only responsibility is to let your therapist know where you are physically located at the time of your session, since they need to confirm they are authorized to practice in that state.
That is the goal, but it is not guaranteed. Some states have regulatory or political barriers that have slowed adoption. PSYPACT has the broadest participation currently at 43 states, and the other compacts are steadily growing.
PSYPACT primarily facilitates telepsychology through the E.Passport. For temporary in-person practice, psychologists can apply for an Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC), which allows up to 30 days of in-person practice per year in another PSYPACT state.
The Bottom Line
Interstate therapy compacts are making it easier to maintain your therapeutic relationship across state lines, but the landscape is still evolving. PSYPACT is the most established, with 43 states participating. The Counseling Compact and Social Work Compact are growing but have not yet reached the same level of adoption. Before assuming your therapist can see you from another state, ask them directly about their compact credentials and check with your insurance about coverage.
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