Practicing under license portability

“Practice in accordance with license portability (e.g., Counseling Compact)” (NBCC, 2027 task 6.13)

License portability lets counselors serve clients across state lines lawfully. The Counseling Compact is an interstate agreement that allows a counselor licensed in one member state to obtain a privilege to practice in other member states. The exam tests how portability works and the counselor's obligations when practicing across states.

Key points

Without portability, a counselor generally needs a license or temporary authorization in each state where clients are located when receiving services, including telehealth.
The Counseling Compact allows a counselor with an unencumbered license in a home state that is a member to apply for a privilege to practice in other member states, once the Compact's commission is issuing privileges.
Practice under a privilege is governed by the laws and rules of the state where the client is located, including scope of practice and reporting requirements.
Requirements for a privilege include an active, unencumbered home state license and meeting the Compact's conditions, which may include jurisprudence requirements set by the remote state.
Not every state is a member, and membership and implementation status change; check the Compact commission's current information before relying on a privilege.
Discipline in one state can affect the privilege and licenses in others.
Some states also offer temporary practice, endorsement or reciprocity options outside the Compact.

In practice

A counselor licensed in one member state has a client who moves to another state for graduate school. She checks whether both states are active Compact members, applies for the privilege in the new state, and reviews that state's reporting and minor consent laws before continuing telehealth sessions.

A client moves to a state that is not in the Compact. The counselor confirms she cannot continue without a license there, helps the client find a counselor in the new state, and arranges a transition.

Check yourself

Under the Counseling Compact, which state's laws govern a session?

The laws of the state where the client is located during the session.

What does a counselor need before obtaining a Compact privilege?

An active, unencumbered license in a home state that is a Compact member, plus meeting the Compact's requirements.

Can a counselor rely on the Compact to see a client in any state?

No, it applies only among member states where privileges are being issued, so the counselor must check current membership and status.

NBCC's knowledge and skills for Domain 6

Knowledge of: State laws (state licensure law, supervision requirements, abuse reporting, license renewal, CAQH); Federal laws (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, immigration policy, HI-TECH, ADA, NPI); Codes of ethics; Third-party reimbursement, insurance and billing (e.g., CPT codes); Counseling Compact; Emerging technologies in Counseling; Crisis policies and procedures; Recording keeping and reporting requirements and procedures; Appropriate logistics for telemental health services; Scope of practice (e.g., letters of support, working with special populations); Alternative medical-assisted/pharmacological interventions; Accessing state licensure board; Executing voluntary and involuntary commitments.

Skill in: Maintaining confidentiality; Discerning reputable training providers and programs; Troubleshooting technological difficulties during telemental health session (e.g., session disconnects, video not working); Billing and third-party reimbursement.

A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.