Bill > HB1537

This bill establishes the Licensed Professional Counselors Compact, a comprehensive interstate agreement designed to facilitate professional counselors' ability to practice across multiple states more easily. The compact creates a framework that allows licensed professional counselors to obtain a "privilege to practice" in other member states without obtaining multiple individual state licenses. Key provisions include establishing a national data system to track counselor licensure and disciplinary actions, creating a Counseling Compact Commission to oversee the compact's implementation, and setting uniform standards for licensure across participating states. To qualify, counselors must hold an unencumbered license in their home state, have a master's degree meeting specific educational requirements, complete a supervised postgraduate experience, and pass a nationally recognized exam. The compact aims to increase public access to counseling services, support military spouses, enable telehealth practice across state lines, and enhance interstate cooperation in regulating professional counseling. The agreement will become active once ten states have enacted the legislation, and member states can withdraw with a six-month notice. The compact preserves each state's regulatory authority to protect public health and safety while streamlining the process for counselors to practice across state boundaries.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1537