Counseling Compact Is Live in Georgia: What Georgia LPCs Need to Know
Updated June 2026
Georgia counselors have been waiting for this moment: the Counseling Compact is now live in Georgia.
This is an important clarification. Georgia did not merely pass compact legislation. Georgia is now operational in the Counseling Compact system, meaning eligible Georgia Licensed Professional Counselors can begin the process of applying for compact privileges to practice in other operational compact states.
The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists announced that the Counseling Compact began issuing privileges for Georgia on June 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. ET. This made Georgia the fifth state in the nation to begin issuing privileges under the Counseling Compact.
What does “live” mean?
“Live” means Georgia has completed the required implementation steps to participate in the operational phase of the Counseling Compact.
In practical terms, eligible licensees may now use the compact process to apply for privileges to practice in participating states that are also operational.
This does not mean every state that passed compact legislation is immediately available. Many compact states are still completing steps such as adopting rules, setting fees, implementing federal criminal background check processes, preparing IT systems, training staff, testing data uploads, and finalizing application procedures.
Georgia LPCs must complete the GOALS step first
For Georgia LPCs, there is one critical first step:
Georgia licensees must first apply through the Georgia GOALS system to be deemed compact-eligible.
Georgia LPCs should not skip this step. If you are currently licensed in Georgia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and want to obtain compact privileges, you must first submit an amendment application through your Georgia GOALS licensure account.
After the Georgia Board processes and approves the amendment application, eligible licensees may then apply for compact privileges through the Counseling Compact application system.
Start here:
Step 1: Apply through the Georgia GOALS licensure portal:
Georgia GOALS System
Step 2: After Georgia confirms compact eligibility, apply through the Counseling Compact application page:
Counseling Compact Application Page
Are Associate Professional Counselors eligible?
No. Associate Professional Counselors are not eligible for compact privileges.
Where can Georgia LPCs apply?
As of the current implementation update, the Counseling Compact is live for licensees in:
- Arizona
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Ohio
This list will expand as more compact states complete the required steps to begin issuing and receiving privileges.
Does the compact automatically authorize practice in every compact state?
No.
This is one of the most important points for Georgia LPCs to understand. Being licensed in Georgia does not automatically authorize a counselor to practice in every compact state.
A counselor must apply for and receive a compact privilege in each state where the client is located. The compact simplifies the process, but it does not remove the requirement to obtain authorization in the state where services are being provided.
Can Georgia LPCs practice in states that passed the compact but are not live yet?
Not through the compact.
Some states have passed Counseling Compact legislation but are still completing implementation requirements. Until a state becomes operational, counselors cannot use the compact to practice there.
Counselors should continue to follow the laws and rules of the state where the client is physically located at the time services are provided.
What about insurance and online platforms?
Counselors should also be careful about billing and platform policies. The Counseling Compact application page notes that online platforms and insurance companies may not automatically accept a compact privilege for billing purposes.
Does a compact privilege replace state laws and ethics rules?
No.
A compact privilege authorizes practice in another participating state, but it does not erase the counselor’s responsibility to understand and follow that state’s laws, rules, ethics requirements, mandated reporting requirements, telehealth rules, documentation expectations, advertising rules, and scope-of-practice limitations.
Why this matters
The Counseling Compact is a major step forward for the counseling profession. It can improve continuity of care when clients move, travel, attend college, relocate for work, or live near state borders. It may also expand access to counseling services by reducing unnecessary barriers to interstate practice.
For Georgia LPCs, this is especially meaningful because Georgia was the first state to enact the Counseling Compact and is now among the first states to become operational.
Peak Development Group will continue monitoring Counseling Compact updates as additional states become operational and as Georgia counselors begin navigating the privilege application process.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal advice. Licensees should confirm requirements directly with the Georgia Composite Board and the Counseling Compact Commission before applying.
