The Interstate Compact is an agreement among participating states to allow a counselor from one state to practice counseling in other states within the requirements of the law provided.
The National Center for Interstate Compacts (NCIC) at The Council of State Governments (CSG) is working with groups representing professional counselors to create and sustain the Counseling Compact. A good description outlining the Compact history and details are available here: PowerPoint Presentation (counselingcompact.org)
You should read the full details of the recently passed Alabama law here: AL SB99 (click “View Image” at the bottom of the screen after the page opens).
6/27/2022
The Counseling Compact offers eligible licensed professional counselors a new method for providing services in other member states. If you are interested in learning more about the Counseling Compact, please use the following link:
Frequently Asked Questions
When the 10-state minimum is achieved the Interstate Commission will be created and the details worked out as to the reminder of the required parts of the Compact. As ABEC is informed of these events and processes, information will be made available through the ABEC website, and particularly on the Interstate Compact FAQ (https://abec.alabama.gov/faqs/interstate-compact-faq/).
No, the Interstate Compact, when the Interstate Commission is formed and the Compact is finally enacted, may grant you the privilege to practice in any other participating state that signed a version of the Compact into law. You will still have to apply for that privilege in each state individually.
No, the Interstate Compact only allows the privilege to practice in a participating state, and does not mean that you have a license in that state, nor that you can automatically get an independent license in that state. But you can apply for an independent license in that state based upon that states requirements for licensure.