Ohio Becomes 3rd State to Enter Counseling Compact

The American Counseling Association (ACA) has announced that Ohio is the latest state to begin granting privileges under the Counseling Compact, marking another significant milestone in expanding access to mental health care. This development means Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors in Ohio can now practice across state lines, helping to bridge gaps in care and bring vital services to communities in need.

Ohio is joining Arizona and Minnesota in the compact, with other states expected to continue adoption. To date, 38 states and the District of Columbia have ratified the interstate agreement. The ACA asserts that once fully ratified, the compact would give an estimated 122 million people in the U.S. who live within Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas easier access to mental health supports.

The compact is a legislative agreement among participating states that allows professional counselors to practice across state lines either in person or via telehealth. It is a mutual recognition model that functions much like a driver’s license — participating states agree to recognize the license of all eligible counselors from other compact states, allowing them a privilege to practice. Previously, counselors have had difficulty transferring their licenses from one state or jurisdiction to another because of the independent nature of jurisdictional licensing rules and regulations. There was little consistency regarding the requirements for licensure, and these varying requirements make it difficult to transfer one’s license.

States and jurisdictions that have passed Counseling Compact legislation include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, 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, and Washington, D.C.

To learn more, visit the ACA website and watch this video interview with ACA's Lynn Linde on what counselors can expect going forward.