New Jersey Enters the Counseling Compact

Written by Lori Ann Gaudioso, February 2024

New Jersey is the 32nd state to enter the Counseling Compact (Bill A5311/S3061), effective January 16, 2024!

For the past four years, the American Counseling Association (ACA) has been working with the National Center for Interstate Compacts to create and institute the Counseling Compact. 

What is the Counseling Compact? It is an interstate contract among states that allows licensed professional counselors who are residing in a compact member state to practice in other compact member states without the need for multiple licenses.

How does this help? A few scenarios: if a college student is in therapy while at home and then goes away to school that is considered a compact state, they can now maintain their therapy while away. So continuity of care continues which is critical for a young adult dealing with all the challenges of college life. Another scenario is home relocation- permanent or seasonal. A client can now continue with their therapist again while residing in one of the many compact states. Clients do not have to start therapy over or seek therapy with someone new.

What’s truly most important is the Compact Act will drastically improve the way counselors can practice and provide continuity of care. Care can continue and the time needed for authorization to practice in a new state is drastically cut.  More details and benefits can be obtained at https://counselingcompact.org