Can I Move to a Different State and Still Get Licensed as a Counselor?
One of the biggest questions counseling students ask is about mobility. Maybe you grew up in one state but are attending graduate school in another. Maybe your partner’s job could take you across the country, or you simply do not plan to stay where you are now. Whatever the reason, many future counselors wonder: If I graduate and get licensed in one state, can I move to another and still practice?
The short answer is yes; it is usually possible. But the process is not always simple. Each state has its own counseling board with unique requirements for licensure. Some states recognize licenses from others more easily, while some require additional coursework, supervision, or even repeating exams.
This guide explains how counselor licensure portability works, the role of CACREP accreditation, how the Counseling Compact is changing the landscape, and what steps you can take to make moving easier.
Why Portability Is Complicated
Unlike doctors or nurses, counselors are not governed by one national licensing body. Instead, each state creates its own rules for education, exams, supervised hours, and scope of practice.
Here are a few ways state rules differ:
- Titles: Some states use Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), others use Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The core training is similar, but the name varies.
- Hour requirements: One state may require 2,000 post-master’s supervised hours, while another requires 3,000.
- Accreditation requirements: Some states require CACREP-accredited degrees. Others accept “substantial equivalency.”
- Exams: Most states require the NCE or NCMHCE, but a few add state-specific exams.
These differences mean that moving from one state to another is not always a direct transfer. Instead, it is usually called licensure by endorsement or licensure by reciprocity, depending on the state.
Licensure by Endorsement vs. Reciprocity
Endorsement
Licensure by endorsement means that you apply in your new state and show proof of your license, education, and supervised hours. The new state reviews your credentials to see if they meet their standards. If they do, you receive a license. If not, you may need to make up certain requirements.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity means two states have an agreement to accept each other’s licenses more directly. True reciprocity is rare in counseling, though some regions have informal agreements that make the process smoother.
Most states follow endorsement rather than reciprocity. That means you should be prepared to provide transcripts, proof of supervised hours, exam scores, and documentation from your current licensing board when you move.
The Role of CACREP Accreditation
CACREP accreditation can make portability easier. Here is why:
- Federal employment: Agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs require counselors to graduate from CACREP-accredited programs.
- State requirements: Some states explicitly require CACREP degrees or deny applicants from non-accredited programs unless they complete extra coursework.
- Portability: Even in states that do not require CACREP, having a CACREP degree often makes the endorsement process smoother because boards recognize the curriculum as meeting national standards.
That said, not having a CACREP degree does not always block you from moving. Many states still accept non-CACREP degrees if you can demonstrate equivalent coursework and training. It just may take more paperwork and time.
The Counseling Compact
A major change is on the horizon with the Counseling Compact. The Compact is an agreement among states to recognize each other’s licenses, like how driver’s licenses work.
- Counselors licensed in a Compact member state can practice in other member states without needing a separate license.
- To qualify, you must hold a license in your home state, which must also be a member of the Compact.
- You must have graduated from a CACREP program and passed the NCE or NCMHCE.
As of 2025, more than half of U.S. states have joined the Compact or passed legislation to join. This is a huge step forward for counselor mobility, but it only applies to states that sign on. If you move to a non-member state, you will still need to go through endorsement.
For updates, you can visit the Counseling Compact official site.
Common Scenarios
Moving Right After Graduation
If you graduate in one state but plan to move immediately, it may be easier to apply directly in your new state. This avoids getting licensed in one place and then transferring. The downside is that you must ensure your program meets your new state’s requirements, especially regarding coursework and internship hours.
Moving After Associate-Level Licensure
If you are still completing post-master’s supervised hours, moving can complicate things. Some states will count hours completed elsewhere, but others require that they be completed under a supervisor approved in that state. This can result in needing extra hours.
Moving After Full Licensure
This is usually the smoothest time to move. Once you hold a full license, many states will grant endorsement more easily. You may still need to provide transcripts and proof of hours, but you are more likely to be accepted.
Steps to Take Before Moving
Research Early
Check your new state’s counseling board website well before you move. Compare their requirements with your current credentials.
Keep Documentation
Maintain copies of your transcripts, syllabi, proof of practicum and internship hours, and logs of post-master’s supervision. These documents are often requested during endorsement.
Stay Current on Exams
Passing the NCE or NCMHCE in your first state helps a lot. Most states accept these exams, so you will not need to retake them.
Consult Supervisors
If you are in the middle of your supervised hours, talk with your supervisor about how to document them so that another board will accept them.
Real Experiences from Counselors
Counselors who have gone through the process often share that the biggest frustration is paperwork. One graduate reported that her new state required detailed syllabi from classes taken ten years earlier, which delayed the process. Another counselor said the board in his new state accepted his license without issue, but it took six months of waiting for approval.
On forums like Reddit’s counseling student communities, many counselors advise others to over-prepare. Having thorough documentation speeds things up, while missing documents can cause months of delays.
The Future of Portability
The Counseling Compact is the most promising solution to portability challenges. If more states join, counselors will eventually be able to move with far less hassle. Until then, endorsement remains the norm.
Professional organizations like the American Counseling Association continue to advocate for standardized requirements across states. While progress is slow, the field is moving toward greater consistency.
Preparation is Key
Yes, you can move to another state and still become licensed as a counselor. The process is not always seamless, since each state sets its own rules. Portability depends on factors like whether your program was CACREP-accredited, how many supervised hours you have, and whether the new state has joined the Counseling Compact.
The key is preparation. Research state requirements early, keep meticulous documentation, and expect some delays. While the system can feel frustrating, thousands of counselors successfully transfer their licenses every year. With the growing adoption of the Compact, the process will only get easier in the future.
Sources and Further Reading