2026 States Offering Reciprocity For LPC Licensure For Mental Health Counselors

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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What is the difference between LPC reciprocity, licensure portability, and licensure by endorsement?

Moving a counseling practice across state lines involves navigating three primary concepts, all aimed at achieving the same legal authorization to practice. However, their mechanisms differ significantly.

The most common pathways are defined below:

• LPC Reciprocity: Historically, this refers to a formal, bilateral agreement between two specific states where each agrees to grant a license to the other's qualified counselors without a rigorous review, based on the assumption of equivalent standards. True reciprocity is rare for LPCs due to inconsistencies in state licensing laws.
• Licensure by Endorsement: This is an individual application process where a counselor, licensed in one state, applies for a new license in a second state. The second state's board reviews the applicant's credentials to determine "substantial equivalency.” This process requires extensive verification that can make a counselor wonder, just as a prospective student might ask, what can you do with an applied psychology degree.
• Licensure Portability: This is a broad term that describes a counselor's general ability to move their practice across state lines. It is the overall goal achieved through mechanisms like endorsement or, more recently, through the interstate compact.
• Privilege to Practice: This is the legal authorization granted by the Counseling Compact to an independently licensed counselor from a member state, allowing them to practice in another member state. It is equivalent to a license, but it is not a full second license and is tied to the counselor’s primary, unencumbered home state license.

While full bilateral reciprocity remains an ideal, the Counseling Compact's "Privilege to Practice" model is now the most streamlined and standardized way to achieve high licensure portability.

How does the Counseling Compact change the process of moving my LPC license to a new state?

The Counseling Compact fundamentally shifts the licensing process from one of individual review to one of mutual recognition, dramatically simplifying the process of interstate practice. Before the Compact, moving to a new state meant applying for a new single-state license, which required the new board to verify all original credentials (transcripts, exam scores, and supervised hours), a cumbersome process that could take months.  This reliance on formal credentials is key in many healthcare professions, including understanding LPN specialty certifications for licensed practical nurses.

The new model bypasses this redundancy by introducing a "Privilege to Practice". Instead of seeking a new license, a counselor with an unencumbered license in a Compact member state simply applies to the Compact Commission and pays applicable fees to gain a Privilege to Practice in any other member state.

How do I verify if my current LPC license is considered "unencumbered" and eligible for reciprocity?

An unencumbered license is defined as one that authorizes an LPC to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of professional counseling. Verification is critical because any restriction or adverse action against the license, such as suspension or probation, renders it ineligible for portability mechanisms like the Counseling Compact.  This emphasis on license validity is key across all specialized fields, including understanding the sub-disciplines of geoscience and the credentials needed for practice within them.

The steps to confirm your unencumbered status are:

• Check Licensing Board Status: Use the license verification tool on your Home State's licensing board website. This online record is the primary source verification for your license's status and history.
• Review Disciplinary History: The record must show the license is "Active" or "Good Standing" and list no current or past disciplinary actions (revocation, suspension, probation).
• Confirm Timeframe Eligibility: For the Counseling Compact, you must specifically certify that you have not had any encumbrance or restriction against any license or privilege to practice within the previous two years.

Ensuring your license is fully unencumbered is the foundational first step for any counselor seeking to utilize the compact's Privilege to Practice or pursue traditional licensure by endorsement.

What is the current list of Counseling Compact member states for 2026?

The Counseling Compact has received expansive and rapid support across the country, signifying a major shift toward high licensure portability. This broad membership ensures that a substantial number of counselors can plan to utilize the Privilege to Practice for in-person and telehealth services once the required data system is fully operational, which is anticipated to be in the fall of 2025.

Here is the comprehensive list of jurisdictions that have enacted the Counseling Compact:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• 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

Although the list of enacted states is extensive, all counselors must verify their home state is a member and monitor updates from the Compact Commission for the exact date applications begin.

Which states have existing LPC reciprocity agreements outside of the Counseling Compact?

True licensure reciprocity, meaning an automatic and mutual recognition of licenses between two states, is highly unusual outside of the interstate Compact, as it demands that two state legislatures deem their licensing standards exactly equivalent. For counselors moving between states that are not Compact members, the process defaults to the rigorous review of licensure by endorsement.

The following represent examples of dedicated agreements or pathways outside of the Compact:

• Kentucky and Tennessee Reciprocity: These two states maintain a formal, bilateral agreement for reciprocal licensure, but only for the clinical designation: LPCC in Kentucky and LPC/MHSP in Tennessee. This agreement requires the counselor to demonstrate five years of post-licensure clinical experience.
• North Carolina Reciprocity Pathway: North Carolina extends a specific reciprocity application for independently licensed professional counselors from South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. This pathway, while called "reciprocity," is a designated, expedited form of the process that still requires full applications, fees, and state-specific exams.
• Licensure by Endorsement as Default: For all other movements between non-Compact states (such as New York to California), the sole pathway is by endorsement. The need for extensive review often leads counselors to consider further education to meet new state requirements, perhaps by exploring the best online applied psychology degree programs.

The existence of the Counseling Compact has largely superseded the need for new bilateral reciprocity agreements, making endorsement the standard for all non-Compact license transfers.

What are the specific requirements to apply for a privilege to practice through the Counseling Compact?

To apply for a Privilege to Practice through the Counseling Compact, an LPC must meet a set of uniform requirements established by the Compact Commission. The application process is streamlined through a national data system, which eliminates the need to submit redundant documents like transcripts or exam scores for a second review.  This focus on clear credentials and transferable skills is key across many professions, similar to students exploring what can you do with a biomedical engineering degree and the wide range of careers it enables.

The key requirements for an applicant are:

• Home State Licensure: You must hold a valid, unencumbered license to practice independently in your Home State, which is the state where you legally reside. This license is the foundation of your eligibility for the Compact.
• No Disciplinary History: The applicant must certify that they have not had any encumbrance or restriction against their license or privilege to practice within the previous two years.
• Jurisprudence Requirements: The applicant must meet any state-specific jurisprudence requirements in the remote state where they wish to practice. This often involves passing an exam that tests knowledge of local laws and regulations.
• Fees: Applicants must pay a state-specific fee for each Privilege to Practice, as well as a single administrative fee to the Compact Commission.

Once these requirements are met, the Privilege to Practice is granted, allowing for legal and ethical practice in the remote state, with the understanding that the counselor must adhere to that state's practice laws.

The chart below details key statistics for CACREP-accredited programs, showing the enrollment and graduate numbers across counseling specializations.

What are the LPC reciprocity requirements for out-of-state counselors by state?

For counselors moving to a state that has not yet enacted the Counseling Compact, or for those ineligible for the Privilege to Practice, the process demands that applicants meet the specific requirements of the receiving state.

As states do not typically have standardized, mutual reciprocity agreements outside of the Compact, an applicant must understand the unique educational and experiential mandates of the new licensing board. 

Florida

• Education Requirement: Applicants must hold a master's degree of at least 60 semester hours. Beginning July 1, 2025, the program must be institutionally accredited by the CACREP, the MPCAC, or an equivalent body. The distinction between MPCAC vs CACREP is one of the complex accreditation issues boards review when evaluating out-of-state credentials.
• Experience Verification: The state requires verification of 100 hours of supervision in no less than 100 weeks, alongside 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy.
• Mandated Coursework: Applicants must verify coursework of at least 3 semester hours in 12 specific content areas, including Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychopathology and Human Sexuality.

California

• Licensure by Credential: California offers a "Path A" for licensure by credential, available to those who have held a comparable license in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least two years.
• 3,000 Supervised Hours: The applicant's experience must meet California's requirement of 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience.
• State-Specific Exam: Regardless of prior licensure, applicants must pass the California Law and Ethics Exam.
• Education Equivalency: The qualifying master's or doctoral degree must meet the state's requirement of 60 semester units, covering 13 specific core content areas.

Texas

• No Reciprocity: Texas explicitly states that it does not offer reciprocity or temporary licensure, meaning all out-of-state counselors must apply for licensure by endorsement and meet all current Texas requirements.
• Jurisprudence Examination: All applicants for licensure in Texas must pass the Texas LPC jurisprudence exam within six months of submitting the application.
• Experience Requirements: Applicants must meet the state's specific mandate of at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience, including a minimum of 1,500 hours of direct counseling experience.
• Required Documentation: Documentation for both practicum and supervised experience must be sent directly to the board on required forms.

New York

• Five-Year Practice Requirement: To be eligible for licensure by endorsement, counselors must have practiced as a licensed counselor for at least five years out of the ten-year period preceding the application date.
• Endorsement Review: The endorsement candidate must submit their credentials for review through the state's TEACH Online Services system.
• Supervised Experience: Applicants must verify they completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, with at least 1,500 of those hours being direct client contact.
• Mandated Training: Applicants must complete training or coursework in child abuse identification and reporting from a New York State-approved provider.

Virginia

• Graduate Credit Hours: The LPC license requires a master's degree in counseling of 60 graduate credit hours, covering 13 specified core content areas.
• Residency Verification: Applicants must verify completion of 3,400 hours of supervised post-master’s degree residency hours in an applicable work setting.
• Continuing Education: A minimum of 20 contact hours of continuing education is required annually for license renewal, with specific hours dedicated to ethics and training standards for residents' rights.

The wide variation in requirements across these five major states highlights why licensure portability has traditionally been a challenge for counselors. The existence of state-specific exams, differing postgraduate hour totals, and experience minimums for endorsement meant that moving a license was often a costly and time-intensive process that could result in unexpected deficiencies. 

This difficulty in transferring credentials across state lines is a common issue in highly regulated healthcare fields, similar to how advanced practice nurses must navigate specialized career paths like answering the question, what can you do with a DNP in health systems leadership.

The following chart visually compares the fundamental licensure standards across states, detailing the required internship hours and supervised experience hours for LPC applicants.

What are the essential documents and forms needed to apply for an LPC license by endorsement?

Licensure by endorsement requires submitting primary-source verification to the new state board, which reconstructs your path to licensure for compliance review. Since the board typically won't accept documents directly from the counselor, materials must come straight from the original institutions and regulatory bodies to maintain credibility.

The essential documentation falls into three critical categories:

• Official Credential Verification: This includes the Out-of-State License Verification Form, completed by the original licensing board(s) and submitted directly to the new state. Many states also require a form verifying a minimum number of years of active, post-licensure practice.
• Academic and Examination Records: Applicants must arrange for Official Transcripts to be sent directly from the degree-granting institution. Passing scores on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or National Counselor Examination (NCE) must also be submitted.
• Supervised Experience and Background Check: Proof of supervised experience, submitted via a Verification of Supervised Professional Practice Form, must be signed by the original supervisor(s). Most states require a criminal background check, involving a new set of fingerprints and a specific fee paid to a designated state vendor.

Successful endorsement requires meticulous planning and prompt submission of all forms from the official primary sources, as incomplete files are often withdrawn or significantly delayed.

What are the total fees for LPC reciprocity and what do they cover?

The total financial cost of obtaining practice rights in a new state varies significantly based on the pathway used, either the new Counseling Compact Privilege to Practice or the traditional licensure by endorsement process. Fees are almost always non-refundable and cover the administrative expenses associated with verifying primary documents and state compliance.

The fee structures are outlined below:

• Counseling Compact Fees: Obtaining a Privilege to Practice involves paying two separate non-refundable fees for each state where authorization is requested. The first is a fixed Administrative Fee of $30.00 paid to the Compact Commission. The second is a State Fee set by the individual remote member state, which will be remitted to that state's licensing board.
• State Fee Range for Privileges: The State Fee component for the Privilege to Practice can range from $0 to over $264, based on the revenue needs of each board. This pathway significantly reduces the time cost of moving a license, which is a major factor in continuing education decisions, often influencing the choice of programs like online master's in clinical mental health counseling.
• Endorsement Application Fees: The fees for licensure by endorsement are generally higher and typically range from $100 to over $400 per state. For instance, a total endorsement application in Virginia costs $175, while in California the total application fee can reach $400 to obtain the initial application, plus an additional fingerprint fee.
• Ancillary Costs: Both pathways may incur additional costs. States that require a jurisprudence examination, such as Texas or North Carolina, charge a separate examination fee that is not collected by the Compact Commission. Furthermore, states often charge a separate fee (e.g., $50 in Texas) to verify a counselor's license status for submission to another state.

Ultimately, the Counseling Compact significantly reduces the time cost of moving a license, while the financial costs, though standardized, still require budgeting for multiple fees in multiple jurisdictions.

What strategies can optimize the LPC reciprocity application process?

To expedite the LPC reciprocity application process, candidates should ensure that all documentation is verified and organized according to each state’s specific requirements. Maintain prompt communication with state licensing boards to receive timely updates on application status and potential discrepancies. Reviewing state-specific guidelines and leveraging accredited educational credentials, such as pursuing most affordable online counseling degrees, can further establish eligibility and reduce administrative delays. Additionally, aligning your professional records with clearly defined licensure standards promotes a more efficient review process and mitigates the risk of costly reapplications.

What are the estimated costs to transfer an LPC license to another state?

When transferring an LPC license via endorsement, the total cost involves several mandatory fees that significantly exceed the base application charge. Unlike the streamlined Compact process, endorsement requires the counselor to bear the expense of proving their credentials meet compliance standards. These accumulated costs cover document verification and compliance, creating a layered financial outlay.

The total estimated cost for license endorsement includes three main components:

• Application and Initial Licensure Fees: These non-refundable fees range from $100 to $250, covering the primary application review. An additional Initial Licensure Fee, such as the $75 fee in Florida, is required once the application is approved for issuance.
• Document and Verification Fees: Hidden costs arise from mandatory primary-source verification, where boards charge $10 to $25 to send verification forms to the new state. Transcripts and exam scores also require fees to be sent directly from the issuing university or testing agency.
• Compliance and Remediation Costs: Ancillary fees cover background checks or jurisprudence exams, like the $39 fee in Texas. Academic deficiencies often necessitate expensive graduate coursework to close educational gaps, leading to the largest potential expense.

The Counseling Compact largely eliminates document verification fees, but counselors pursuing endorsement should budget for a total cost significantly higher than the base application fee alone.

Are there any tax implications for earning income in a state where I hold a "privilege to practice"?

Holding a Privilege to Practice in a remote state creates tax implications that counselors must address immediately. This legal authorization establishes an income tax nexus, the connection allowing a state to impose an income tax obligation on your revenue. Tax authorities are aggressive, and generating sales/revenue in a remote state is often enough to trigger a tax liability, regardless of a physical office presence.

If a counselor crosses the remote state's income tax threshold (based on sales volume or transactions), they will likely file a non-resident state income tax return. The Privilege to Practice does not grant a tax exemption; it only grants legal authority to render clinical services. Counselors must meticulously track income earned from clients in each state and consult a Certified Public Accountant to ensure compliance with multiple state tax regimes.

The chart below illustrates the growth trend for mental health counseling licensure in New York, detailing the number of new licenses issued annually from 2020 to 2024.

Do you have to complete continuing education (CE) requirements for every state you hold a license?

The need to complete continuing education (CE) depends heavily on the legal authorization used to gain multi-state practice rights. For counselors who hold a single state license in multiple jurisdictions through the traditional endorsement process, CE must generally be fulfilled for every license held.

Each state imposes its own distinct requirements. This includes its own renewal cycle, total number of required hours (which can range from 20 to 40 every two years), and specific content requirements.

For instance, a state may mandate hours dedicated to ethics or training on topics like cultural competency. This means a counselor with multiple licenses must track and complete separate, potentially redundant CE requirements to maintain full legal compliance in every jurisdiction.

How does the Counseling Compact simplify CE requirements for counselors with a privilege to practice?

The Counseling Compact significantly simplifies the CE burden by eliminating the administrative duplication inherent in the old licensure-by-endorsement model. The system shifts compliance from the Remote State to the Home State, streamlining the ongoing process.

The simplification is achieved through the following key provisions:

• Single Point of Compliance: A counselor with a Privilege to Practice is only required to meet the CE mandates of their Home State. This unifies professional development efforts, unlike the previous model, which sometimes required taking redundant courses or seeking a counseling psychology degree online just to meet a specific state's coursework mandate.
• Exemption in Remote States: The requirement to complete CE hours for the Privilege to Practice is waived in every other member state (Remote State).
• Focus on Home State Topics: Counselors only need to track the renewal cycle, total hours, and mandated topics required by their Home State board.
• Reduced Administrative Cost: This process eliminates the time and cost associated with purchasing redundant state-specific ethics courses or meeting varied renewal timelines for multiple licenses.

This core feature of the Compact transforms multi-state practice from a complex administrative burden into a sustainable reality, ensuring counselors can prioritize professional development over licensing redundancy.

How much can a professional counselor expect to earn after obtaining a new license through LPC reciprocity?

Obtaining a new license through LPC reciprocity (or endorsement) does not automatically increase a counselor's hourly rate, but it significantly expands their earning potential by opening access to higher-paying markets and practice settings. The key financial benefit is not a salary raise, but market expansion and reduced income volatility.

The expected financial impact is determined by three main factors:

• Access to High-Paying States: Transferring a license allows movement from lower-paying regions (e.g., Mississippi or Arkansas, averaging around $46,000–$47,000) to a high-demand state like Washington or New Jersey, where salaries are often closer to $75,000–$89,221. This relocation is the most direct path to a salary increase.
• Telehealth Private Practice Growth: The Privilege to Practice allows a counselor to legally render services via telehealth to clients in multiple member states. This allows a single private practice to increase client volume and overcome local market saturation. Private practice settings are the most lucrative, with top earners exceeding $100,000 annually.
• Shift in Employment Setting: Multi-state authorization provides career flexibility, enabling a counselor to transition from lower-paying non-profit roles (average salary $40,000–$55,000) to specialized, higher-paying roles in hospitals, government, or private practice (average range of $65,000–$130,000+). The national average salary for an LPC is approximately $71,915.

While the license itself does not guarantee higher pay, the geographic mobility and administrative freedom gained via reciprocity or the Compact provide direct access to the most lucrative private and institutional markets.

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