Telehealth Across State Lines: 2024 Compact Updates
Published: October 2023 | Category: Legal & Ethical Frameworks
The post-pandemic normalization of telehealth has forced rapid evolution in licensing regulations. For mental health practitioners, the most significant developments revolve around interstate compacts that facilitate multijurisdictional practice without the burden of maintaining dozens of individual state licenses.
The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT)
PSYPACT continues to expand, now encompassing 39 enacted states as of Q4 2023. Practitioners possessing an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) can legally provide telepsychology to patients located in any participating state.
Key Ethical Considerations for APIT Holders:
- Duty to Warn/Protect: Practitioners must adhere to the laws of the state where the patient is located at the time of service, which vary significantly regarding mandatory reporting of threats.
- Emergency Management: Clinicians must have established, localized emergency response protocols (e.g., local crisis response team numbers, nearest hospital) for the patient's specific geographic location.
The Counseling Compact
Modeled after PSYPACT and the Nurse Licensure Compact, the Counseling Compact for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) reached its 10-state activation threshold and officially launched its commission. Privilege to practice applications are slated to open in early 2024.