Which States Offer Reciprocity For LPC Licensure In 2024?

The Health Resources & Services Administration estimates that 122 million Americans live in “health professional shortage areas,” or HPSAs. These shortages are more severe in some states than others, making licensure processes like reciprocity essential. However, finding which states offer this system for licensed professional counselors (LPCs) is not easy, as true reciprocity is almost non-existent. Understanding the distinction between true reciprocity and more common practices like LPC endorsement is usually important for counselors who want to receive an out-of-state license to expand their career in a new area.

What is LPC license reciprocity?

LPC license reciprocity refers to when two or more states enter into a mutual agreement that allows licensed professional counselors from one state to transfer their credentials in order to practice in another. Essentially, reciprocal-agreement states recognize one another’s licenses. This mutual understanding is usually built upon the two having similar license requirements, such as equivalent education levels, coursework, number of supervised clinical hours, and professional experience. If two states have such a pact, taking advantage of reciprocity may be as simple as completing an application and verifying that a current license is valid and unencumbered, after which the individual may be able to practice in the new state.

License reciprocity is sometimes confused with license endorsement, which is a more common type of agreement between states. While both can allow an out-of-state counselor to practice in a new area, each is a distinct process. LPC endorsement is far more common and often takes more work to complete. Next, we’ll provide a brief outline of some key differences between the two.

License reciprocity vs. license endorsement

Again, reciprocity refers to a formal agreement between states to mutually accept the legitimacy of a specific type of license, such as the type a professional counselor needs to practice. In most cases, reciprocity means that the individual won’t need to receive additional certification or education to practice in a reciprocal state. In the case of LPCs, they’ll typically only need to provide proof that they meet the state’s requirements, have a license in good standing, and complete a reciprocity application. 

Endorsement is another way to get a license to practice in a new state, but the process is usually more involved and rigorous than it is with reciprocation. Applicants will usually need to be reviewed individually by the new state’s licensing board, a process designed to assess their education, experience, and care record. In some cases, a state board may only look to see that the licensure requirements for the original state are similar to their own. Others may require that counselors seek additional education, more supervised hours, or other supplemental qualifications. 

True reciprocity—where two states mutually agree that another’s LPC license is equivalent—is relatively rare. If states have this type of agreement, LPCs should, in theory, only need to prove they are licensed in another approved reciprocity state to be able to practice in a new state. This type of license portability makes it far easier for mental health care providers to work in other areas. However, due to varying and constantly changing state requirements, these agreements are difficult to find. That said, certain legislation like the Counseling Compact aims to allow counselors to move within the country in an effort to help address areas with a shortage of mental health professionals.

What is the Counseling Compact? 

The Counseling Compact is an occupational licensure compact that allows LPCs from participating states to practice in other states without the need for excessive review or significant additional requirements. If you are licensed in a participating state and wish to practice in another, you can apply for a compact privilege to do so. 

According to the official Counseling Compact website, LPCs need the following qualifications to apply

• A current and valid counseling license granted by their home state (primary state of residence)
• A license that is unencumbered (meaning it has not been revoked or suspended and is not probationary or conditional) 
• A 60 semester-hour master’s degree
• A passing score on a national exam
• Completion of supervised professional experience

Upon approval, counselors will receive a compact privilege to practice. Counselors must reapply in each state where they intend to practice and can only do so in states that have approved the Counseling Compact.

Which states are part of the Counseling Compact? 

There are also several states where legislation relating to the Counseling Compact may still be pending, including: 

• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Washington, DC
• South Carolina

In states that haven’t yet joined the Counseling Compact, you may need to seek other licensing options, such as LPC endorsement. Again, note that receiving an endorsement can be more difficult than getting a reciprocal license or a compact privilege to practice because it may require significant additional qualifications. This is one of several factors you may want to consider before planning to move to another state. 

Which states offer LPC endorsement? 

License endorsement, or license portability, is the more common way that LPCs get their licenses recognized by other states. While not technically reciprocity, this process can have similar results and may exist in one form or another in all 50 states. Each state has its own guidelines to follow when engaging in this licensing process, which can typically be found by searching for the website of your state’s counseling board. 

For example, California law dictates that counselors must have held their LPC in another US jurisdiction for at least two years at the highest level for independent clinical practice in that jurisdiction. In addition, their license must be current and free from any restrictions within two years before they start the reciprocity application process. Lastly, the master’s or doctoral degree they received must be from a school with approved accreditation.

Is it worth it to get licensed in another state? 5 factors to consider

There are many reasons a provider may want to become an LPC in another state, but the process can be more complicated or costly in some situations than others. If you’re considering a move to a new state, you might want to weigh the following five factors before you make your decision. 

1. Reciprocity vs. endorsement. If the state you want to move to does not have an endorsement or reciprocity agreement that matches your current state’s, getting a license may require significant additional time and money. Before choosing a new state to practice in, it may be beneficial to see whether they have simple endorsement terms or have agreed to the Counseling Compact. 
2. Any required supplementary coursework. The guidelines in multiple states, such as Arkansas, Hawaii, and California, require that out-of-state counselors take certain courses or seek other additional education before receiving their new license, in many cases. It may be difficult to find a convenient way to take these courses or balance continuing education with your current workload, and there’s the cost to consider as well. 
3. Any additional required supervised hours. Some state boards deem it necessary for LPCs to complete a higher number of clinical hours than other states require. In some cases, they may require that a counselor finish hundreds of additional hours involving direct or indirect client contact. As with supplementary coursework, finding time for these additional supervised hours could be challenging and stressful. 
4. Moving costs. Cost of living varies significantly from state to state and city to city. As such, it may be beneficial to research how your budget might need to change if you become licensed in a particular area. Certain areas may cost significantly more for home or office rent, food, transportation, and other basic needs, though salaries could potentially be higher as well. Examining your budget and weighing these factors will be an important step in most cases.
5. Client needs. Certain areas may have a greater need for your expertise than others. Finding states that have HSPAs or areas that lack providers with your specialty could influence whether you wish to gain licensure there. In areas that are overserved, it may be more difficult to find clients. 

Getting emotional support for professional challenges

Practicing in a new state can be exciting and may offer a way to help clients in need. However, major life changes like moving and working in an unfamiliar place can be sources of significant stress. If not managed appropriately, challenging emotions related to such changes could affect one’s mental health, overall well-being, and ability to effectively treat clients. 

In situations like these, you may find it helpful to reach out to a professional yourself for support. As individuals who help others for a living, seeking therapy may feel challenging for some counselors. Still, personal therapy can be an effective way to address challenges like burnout, difficult client-patient relationships, and any stressors one may be facing outside of work as well.

Despite the potential benefits of engaging with a therapist, some may not have time to research in-person providers or commute to an office regularly—especially if they’re in the process of moving or getting settled in a new place. Online therapy can be an effective alternative in such cases. Research suggests that online cognitive behavioral therapy typically offers similar efficacy to in-person therapy for the treatment of certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed provider in a matter of days and then attend sessions from the comfort of your office, home, or anywhere else you have an internet connection.