PSYPACT® States

PSYPACT® states are those U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia that have joined an interstate compact designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology across state boundaries.

Keep in mind that in this context, "state" means U.S. states and territories and Washington, D.C.

See the PSYPACT® states map on the Commission's website or consult this list:

List of PSYPACT® States

PSYPACT® states as of January 1, 2025:

  1. Alabama
  2. Arizona
  3. Arkansas
  4. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
  5. Connecticut
  6. Colorado
  7. Delaware
  8. District of Columbia
  9. Georgia
  10. Florida
  11. Idaho
  12. Illinois
  13. Indiana
  14. Kansas
  15. Kentucky
  16. Maine
  17. Maryland
  18. Michigan
  19. Minnesota
  20. Mississippi
  21. Missouri
  22. Nebraska
  23. Nevada
  24. New Hampshire
  25. New Jersey
  26. North Carolina
  27. North Dakota
  28. Ohio
  29. Oklahoma
  30. Pennsylvania
  31. Rhode Island
  32. South Carolina
  33. South Dakota
  34. Tennessee
  35. Texas
  36. Utah
  37. Vermont
  38. Virginia
  39. Washington
  40. West Virginia
  41. Wisconsin
  42. Wyoming

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If an individual lives in a PSYPACT® state, then I (Dr. Worthen) can, in most instances, conduct an Independent Psychological Exam (IPE) via secure, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing.1

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) calls exams conducted via teleconferencing, "telemental health examinations" or "Tele-C&P exams" and authorizes private examiners (psychologists or psychiatrists) to conduct these exams.

IMPORTANT to Know

For comprehensive, up-to-date information about PSYPACT®, visit www.psypact.org

On that site, if you are on a laptop or desktop, hover your mouse over the navigation menu items, e.g., About, Commission, etc., to see an extensive list of web pages with detailed information.

If you are on a smartphone, tap "Menu" to see the same detailed list of pages. 

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Some PSYPACT® Terms Defined

PSYPACT® has created a lot of unique terms. Here is how some of the more important terms are defined.

The following definitions are the same as found at: https://psypact.org/page/keyterms. See that page for the complete list of terms.

“Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT)” means: a licensed psychologist’s Authority to Practice Telepsychology, within the limits authorized under this Compact, in another Compact State.

“Client/Patient” means: the recipient of psychological services, whether psychological services are delivered in the context of healthcare, corporate, supervision, and/or consulting services.

“Compact State” means: a state, the District of Columbia, or United States territory that has enacted this Compact legislation and which has not withdrawn pursuant to Article XIII, Section C or been terminated pursuant to Article XII, Section B. For purposes of this Compact, Compact State and Member State may be used interchangeably.

“E. Passport” means: a certificate issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) that promotes the standardization in the criteria of interjurisdictional telepsychology practice and facilitates the process for licensed psychologists to provide telepsychological services across state lines.

“Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC)” means: a certificate issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) that grants temporary authority to practice based on notification to the State Psychology Regulatory Authority of intention to practice temporarily, and verification of one’s qualifications for such practice.

“Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission” also referred to as “Commission” means: the national administration of which all Compact States are members.

“PSYPACT®” means: the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

“Receiving State” means: a Compact State where the client/patient is physically located when the telepsychological services are delivered.

“Telepsychology” means: the provision of psychological services using telecommunications technologies.

“Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP)” means: a licensed psychologist’s authority to conduct temporary in-person, face-to-face practice, within the limits authorized under this Compact, in another Compact State.

“Temporary In-Person, Face-to-Face Practice” means: where a psychologist is physically present (not through the use of telecommunications technologies), in the Distant State to provide for the practice of psychology for 30 days within a calendar year and based on notification to the Distant State.

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Telecommunications - What does that term cover?

PSYPACT® does not define telecommunications. Here is a definition from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language:

telecommunication, n.

1. often telecommunications (used with sing. verb) - The science and technology of communication at a distance by transmission of electrical impulses, electromagnetic waves, or optical pulses, as by telephone, radio, television, or computer network: Telecommunications is an important area of professional growth.

2. a. often telecommunications (used with a pl. verb) - The systems used in transmitting such messages: Telecommunications were disrupted by the brownout.

b. A message so transmitted.

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Department of Defense Statement

From the U.S. Department of Defense, Interstate Compacts to Support License Portability (PDF):

States are considering licensure compacts for several occupations. Compact drafters are now recognizing military-specific needs as part of the compact provisions.

     .     .     .

Key Message: Occupational licensure compacts provide consistent rules that allow licensed members to work in other states through “privilege to practice policies” or to more easily transfer their license to a new state. The military provisions added to these compacts assist service members and their spouses to participate in these occupational compacts.

     .     .     .

The Interjurisdictional Compact for Psychology (PSYPACT®) supports telepractice and temporary practice (30 days). This provides an opportunity to improve access to mental health services by military families and also allows military spouses who are psychologists to sustain a counseling practice through telecommunications in compact states.

Military spouses can use the help! The Department of Defense notes that:

Reducing the burden associated with the occupational relicensing of military spouses is a priority for the department. The annual percent of the military spouse population that moves across state lines is 14.5% — compared to 1.1% for civilian spouses. As much as 34% of military spouses in the labor force are required to be fully licensed; and of those spouses, 19% experience challenges maintaining their licenses.2

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Thus, if you are a private practice psychologist married to a service member and you live in a PSYPACT® state, you can expand the reach of your practice if you apply for and receive an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) and E.Passport.

In addition, if you obtain those credentials, it will likely ease the process of obtaining licensure in another PSYPACT® state if you move. (That is my opinion—there is no guarantee that it will be easier, although many states have passed legislation specifically designed to help military spouses obtain professional licenses.)

ASPPB (Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards) provides this brief overview of these credentials:

To practice telepsychology under the authority of PSYPACT®, you will need to apply for and obtain an E.Passport from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and apply for and obtain an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT® Commission. Once the E.Passport and APIT have been obtained, psychologists can practice telepsychology in any PSYPACT® participating state without having to obtain additional licenses.

Visit the PSYPACT® website at www.psypact.org to start your application to practice telepsychology under this interjurisdictional compact.

Department of Health and Human Services Statement

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also supports interstate compacts such as PSYPACT:

Providers can deliver telehealth services across state lines, depending on rules set by state and federal policies. Interstate compacts simplify cross-state telehealth for specialists in participating states.

Interstate compacts (agreements between two or more states) make it easier for health care providers to practice in multiple states — expediting the licensing process ....

Footnotes

1. My credentials in this regard: E.Passport (11 Dec 2020), Mobility No. 5812. [You must have been granted the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology to receive an E.Passport and mobility number.] You can confirm my credentials at PSYPACT® Verifications (search for "Worthen").

2. U.S. Department of Defense, DOD Receives Approval for Grants to Develop Interstate Compacts for Licensure Portability (DoD Press Release, 15 Mar 2021).

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