New Wisconsin Law Makes it Easier for Counselors to Practice in Multiple States

Governor Tony Evers (D-WI) recently signed into law a bill allowing licensed professional counselors (LFC’s) to practice in multiple states. This move joins a growing trend of interstate compacts aimed at streamlining licensing and improving access to healthcare.  Wisconsin becomes the thirty-first state in the country to be part of the Counseling Compact.

Here’s how it works:

• Once four more states join the Counseling Compact (CC), Wisconsin LPC’s will be able to apply for a compact license, allowing them to practice in any participating state.
• Wisconsin already belongs to similar compacts for physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, and physical therapists.

Benefits of the new law:

• Increased access to healthcare: This will be particularly beneficial in rural areas and for patients who live near the bordering states of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota.
• Streamlined credentialing: LPC’s will no longer need to apply for separate licenses in each state they want to practice in, saving time and money.
• Improved workforce mobility: This will make it easier for LPC’s to relocate or practice in multiple states.
• Enhanced patient care: By removing barriers to practice, the new law will allow LPC’s to provide care to more patients across the country.s.

Overall, this new law is a positive step towards increasing access to mental health services in The Badger State. Wisconsin has seen an uptick in the amount of adult diagnosed autism cases.  Easing the barriers needed for qualified professionals to provide services to neurodiverse Wisconsinites should be a continued priority for state lawmakers.  Americans for Autism Advocacy will continue to make professional licensing reform a priority in 2024 and beyond.  We will hold accountable elected officials who do not reform their professional licensing systems.