Counseling Compact Update

On October 25, 2023, the Counseling Compact Commission held its Annual Business Meeting via Zoom. The meeting was facilitated by The Council of State Governments (CSG) and over 70 people were in attendance, including Compact commissioners and staff. The Annual Meeting Packet 2023 was provided along with the 2022 Annual Report, which provides an overview of the Compact and the Commission across its inaugural year. The Compact has seen tremendous growth, as 30 states have now passed legislation to join the Compact.

The open meeting provided an opportunity for the Commission to introduce CAMS – Clear Association Management Services as the newly selected Secretariat of the Compact. The Secretariat will provide administrative services for the Compact Commission as it moves forward with its implementation, including securing a national data system, planning annual Commission meetings, and finding a candidate for the Compact’s executive director position. It was reported that an executive director will be selected before the end of 2023.

In addition, an update on the data system was given. The Commission has worked with U.S. Digital Response (USDR) to define the data system needs, and a joint Request for Proposal (RFP) with the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Commissions was released on Nov 20. The compact data system will be used by the commissions, compact member states, and licensed professionals to facilitate interstate practice and enhance public protection. It is reported the shared data system will help offset the overall cost. The Commission is to review final candidates in December 2023 and hopes to grant the first privileges to practice sometime in 2024.

The commission also voted to approve the FY 24 Compact Commission Draft Budget. Given this is the inaugural budget, the numbers are estimates based on the typical compact progressions of other compacts during their first year of operation. The Commission's FY24 budget will be funded by contributions from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Eventually, revenue generated from the issuance of privileges to practice will help to support the Compact. In addition, grant opportunities are being sought.

During the meeting, the Rules Committee presented three rules for consideration by the whole commission, including: 1) Proposed Rule on Examination Requirements, 2) Proposed Rule on Definitions, and 3) Proposed Bylaw Updates. A rule was passed recognizing that states must require one or more of the following examinations for licensure as a counselor: the National Counselor Examination (NCE), the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam (CRCE). The commission also passed a rule that further clarified the definitions of “Home State License,” “Initial Privilege to Practice,” “Minor Infraction,” and “Unencumbered License.” Lastly, several bylaws updates were voted on and approved.

The next full Commission meeting will be a hybrid meeting on Jan. 10, 2024, following the annual American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) conference in Tucson, Arizona. Meeting notices and documents will be posted on the Compact Meetings webpage. 

NBCC is proud to be an ex-officio member of the Commission along with ACA, the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), and AASCB. We will continue to represent and bring the latest updates to NCCs and the counseling profession as the Compact evolves and we move even closer to counselors gaining privileges to practice in Compact states. In addition, we are actively engaged in helping additional states and districts pass Compact legislation. Learn more about the Counseling Compact and keep up with the latest news at our Grassroots Action Center.