The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) creates pathways for qualifying licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology and limited temporary in-person services across participating jurisdictions. It is not a multistate license, and participation does not automatically authorize practice.
This article was last verified September 15, 2026. Because participation can change, consult the official PSYPACT map and the applicable psychology licensing board before relying on a jurisdiction’s status.
What Is PSYPACT?
PSYPACT facilitates certain interstate psychology services while preserving public protections and state oversight. The PSYPACT Commission, composed of representatives from participating jurisdictions, governs the compact and establishes its rules.
For telepsychology, the psychologist practices from a participating home state while the client is physically located in a participating receiving state. Both generally must be operational PSYPACT jurisdictions, and the psychologist must follow applicable receiving-state requirements.
Rather than transferring or reciprocally recognizing a full state license, PSYPACT grants defined practice authority to psychologists who hold a qualifying home-state license and obtain the required credentials and authorizations. It applies to licensed psychologists—not students, trainees, counselors, social workers, or marriage and family therapists.
Which States Are PSYPACT States in 2026?
As of September 15, 2026, PSYPACT has been enacted in 46 jurisdictions and is effective in 43. The effective jurisdictions include 41 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. An effective law does not mean every psychologist licensed in that jurisdiction qualifies; psychologists must obtain the credentials and authorizations required for their intended practice pathway.
Operational PSYPACT Jurisdictions
“Operational” means the jurisdiction’s compact legislation is effective and qualifying psychologists may seek PSYPACT authority. The following PSYPACT states and jurisdictions are listed alphabetically.
| Jurisdiction | PSYPACT Status | Effective or Operational Date | Practice Note |
| Alabama | Operational | June 1, 2021 | Enacted through SB 102 |
| Arizona | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 2503 |
| Arkansas | Operational | November 18, 2021 | Enacted through HB 1760 |
| Colorado | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 1017 |
| Connecticut | Operational | October 1, 2022 | Enacted through SB 2 |
| Delaware | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 172 |
| District of Columbia | Operational | April 2, 2021 | Enacted through B 145 |
| Florida | Operational | July 1, 2023 | Enacted through HB 33 |
| Georgia | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 26 |
| Idaho | Operational | July 1, 2022 | Enacted through SB 1305 |
| Illinois | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 1853 |
| Indiana | Operational | July 1, 2022 | Enacted through SB 365 |
| Kansas | Operational | January 1, 2022 | Enacted through SB 170 |
| Kentucky | Operational | June 28, 2021 | Enacted through HB 38 |
| Maine | Operational | October 18, 2021 | Enacted through HB 631 |
| Maryland | Operational | May 18, 2021 | Enacted through HB 970 |
| Michigan | Operational | March 29, 2023 | Enacted through HB 5489 |
| Minnesota | Operational | May 26, 2021 | Enacted through SB 193 |
| Mississippi | Operational | April 15, 2024 | Enacted through SB 2157 |
| Missouri | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 1719/SB 660 |
| Montana | Operational | October 1, 2025 | Enacted through HB 241 |
| Nebraska | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through LB 1034 |
| Nevada | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through AB 429 |
| New Hampshire | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through SB 232 |
| New Jersey | Operational | November 23, 2021 | Enacted through A 4205 |
| North Carolina | Operational | March 1, 2021 | Enacted through SB 361 |
| North Dakota | Operational | August 1, 2023 | Enacted through SB 2205 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Operational | October 24, 2022 | Enacted through HB 22-80 |
| Ohio | Operational | July 26, 2021 | Enacted through SB 2 |
| Oklahoma | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 1057 |
| Pennsylvania | Operational | July 8, 2020 | Enacted through SB 67 |
| Rhode Island | Operational | July 1, 2023 | Enacted through HB 7501 |
| South Carolina | Operational | July 17, 2023 | Enacted through HB 3204 |
| South Dakota | Operational | July 1, 2024 | Enacted through HB 1017 |
| Tennessee | Operational | May 11, 2021 | Enacted through SB 161 |
| Texas | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through HB 1501 |
| Utah | Operational | July 1, 2020 | Enacted through SB 106 |
| Vermont | Operational | July 1, 2024 | Enacted through HB 282 |
| Virginia | Operational | January 1, 2021 | Enacted through SB 760 |
| Washington | Operational | June 9, 2022 | Enacted through HB 1286 |
| West Virginia | Operational | November 18, 2021 | Enacted through SB 668 |
| Wisconsin | Operational | February 6, 2022 | Enacted through AB 537 |
| Wyoming | Operational | February 15, 2023 | Enacted through SB 26 |
Jurisdictions That Have Enacted PSYPACT but Are Not Yet Operational
Enactment and operational participation are not the same. The following states have enacted the compact, but their laws had not reached their effective dates as of September 15, 2026. PSYPACT authority cannot be used in these states until participation becomes effective and operational.
| Jurisdiction | PSYPACT Status | Effective or Operational Date | Practice Note |
| Alaska | Enacted; not yet effective | September 20, 2026 | HB 110 was enacted June 22, 2026 |
| Iowa | Enacted; not yet effective | July 1, 2027 | HF 2676 was enacted May 20, 2026 |
| Louisiana | Enacted; not yet effective | January 1, 2028 | HB 486 was enacted May 22, 2026 |
An effective date does not guarantee that compact practice can begin immediately; psychologists should confirm operational status and authorization first.
States That Do Not Currently Participate in PSYPACT
A psychologist generally needs a separate license or another recognized pathway to practice with a client in a nonparticipating jurisdiction. Massachusetts and New York had pending legislation on the verification date, but neither had enacted PSYPACT:
| Jurisdiction | PSYPACT Status | Effective or Operational Date | Practice Note |
| Massachusetts | Legislation pending | Not applicable | H 2528 and S 1487 were introduced in 2025 |
| New York | Legislation pending | Not applicable | A 6744 and S 7136 were introduced in 2025 |
The remaining nonparticipating states and U.S. jurisdictions were:
| Jurisdiction | PSYPACT Status | Effective or Operational Date | Practice Note |
| American Samoa | Not participating | Not applicable | No PSYPACT authority available |
| California | Not participating | Not applicable | Separate practice authority generally required |
| Guam | Not participating | Not applicable | No PSYPACT authority available |
| Hawaii | Not participating | Not applicable | Separate practice authority generally required |
| New Mexico | Not participating | Not applicable | Separate practice authority generally required |
| Oregon | Not participating | Not applicable | Separate practice authority generally required |
| Puerto Rico | Not participating | Not applicable | No PSYPACT authority available |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Not participating | Not applicable | No PSYPACT authority available |
Pending legislation and enacted laws that are not yet effective do not permit PSYPACT practice. Confirm current classifications with the relevant licensing board before providing services.
How Does PSYPACT Work Across State Lines?
Telepsychology and temporary in-person practice require separate credentials and authorizations. Each pathway begins with a mobility credential from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and ends with authorization from the PSYPACT Commission.
Telepsychology Through an E.Passport and APIT
For telepsychology, ASPPB issues the E.Passport after reviewing applicable licensure, education, examination, and conduct requirements. The psychologist then obtains an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT Commission. An E.Passport alone does not authorize practice.
While providing services, the psychologist must be licensed and physically present in the designated participating home state; the client must be in an operational receiving jurisdiction. Psychologists should verify and document the client’s location and follow the receiving jurisdiction’s rules. The E.Passport and APIT require annual renewal, and E.Passport renewal includes three hours of technology-related continuing education.
Temporary In-Person Practice Through an IPC and TAP
For temporary in-person practice, ASPPB issues the Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC), followed by a Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP) from the PSYPACT Commission. TAP permits face-to-face services for no more than 30 calendar days per calendar year in each participating distant state; it does not support permanent practice. Psychologists must follow that jurisdiction’s rules, track their practice days, and renew the IPC and TAP annually.
APIT vs. TAP at a Glance
| Category | APIT | TAP |
| Type of practice | Telepsychology | Temporary in-person, face-to-face practice |
| Supporting ASPPB credential | E.Passport | Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate |
| Authorization issuer | PSYPACT Commission | PSYPACT Commission |
| Geographic purpose | Allows the psychologist to provide telepsychology from a participating home state to a client physically located in another participating jurisdiction | Allows the psychologist to provide temporary in-person services while physically present with the client in another participating jurisdiction |
| Time restrictions | No 30-day practice limit, but the E.Passport and APIT must remain active | Maximum of 30 calendar days per calendar year in each distant state |
| Renewal requirements | E.Passport and APIT must be renewed annually; E.Passport renewal includes technology-related continuing education | IPC and TAP must be renewed annually |
| Key limitation | An E.Passport alone does not authorize telepsychology | An IPC alone does not authorize temporary practice, and TAP does not permit permanent in-person practice |
Who Is Eligible to Practice Through PSYPACT?
Holding a psychologist license in a participating state does not establish eligibility by itself. General requirements include:
- Qualifying psychologist licensure: The applicant must hold a current, active license based on a doctoral degree in psychology in at least one participating PSYPACT jurisdiction. The license must permit independent psychology practice.
- An eligible home state: For telepsychology, the psychologist must designate a participating state where they are licensed and physically present while practicing.
- Doctoral education: Applicants must meet an approved doctoral education pathway, such as graduation from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association or Canadian Psychological Association or designated by the ASPPB–National Register Joint Designation Committee. Alternative provisions may apply to some experienced psychologists.
- Examination history: Applicants generally must have passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology at the applicable ASPPB-recommended score. Limited exemptions may apply.
- Professional conduct: ASPPB reviews licensure and conduct information; current guidance requires no disciplinary action listed on a psychology license.
- Application requirements: Applicants must complete the required acknowledgments and attestations. Jurisprudence or jurisdiction-specific steps may also apply.
- Continued eligibility: The underlying license, credential, and authorization must remain active.
These general criteria do not guarantee approval. Applicants with questions about alternative education or examination provisions should consult the official guidance for an individual determination.
How to Apply for PSYPACT Authorization
Applicants begin in ASPPB’s PSY|PRO system and follow the pathway for telepsychology, temporary in-person practice, or both.
- Confirm the home state is operational. The psychologist must hold a qualifying license there and, for telepsychology, be physically present there while practicing.
- Check the other jurisdiction. Confirm PSYPACT is operational where the client will be located or temporary in-person services will occur.
- Select the pathway. Choose E.Passport/APIT for telepsychology, IPC/TAP for temporary in-person practice, or both.
- Apply for the ASPPB credential. Submit the required education, licensure, examination, conduct, and transcript documentation through PSY|PRO.
- Complete the authorization application. After ASPPB approves the credential, complete the APIT or TAP process with the PSYPACT Commission.
- Meet applicable legal requirements. Complete required attestations or jurisprudence steps and review the relevant jurisdiction’s practice rules.
- Confirm approval. Do not provide services until the APIT or TAP is active; an application or ASPPB credential alone is insufficient.
- Track ongoing obligations. Monitor renewals, client locations, temporary-practice days, the home-state license, and jurisdiction participation.
ASPPB provides current instructions for the E.Passport and APIT pathway and the IPC and TAP pathway.
What PSYPACT Means for Psychology Students and Early-Career Professionals
PSYPACT generally becomes relevant after qualifying doctoral education, supervised experience, examinations, and independent psychologist licensure. A degree alone does not authorize interstate practice, and students, interns, and prelicensed clinicians cannot use the compact independently.
Because the home-state license can affect later eligibility, prospective psychologists should compare state psychologist licensure requirements when considering where to study, complete supervised experience, or seek their first license. Students interested in telepsychology or geographic mobility should weigh these pathways alongside program quality, accreditation, cost, training opportunities, and career goals.
Important Limits and Responsibilities Under PSYPACT
PSYPACT does not remove the legal, ethical, administrative, or clinical responsibilities of interstate practice. Important limits include:
- The home-state license remains essential. Expiration, restriction, or discipline may affect compact authority.
- Client location must be confirmed. PSYPACT does not authorize services in a nonparticipating jurisdiction, and the client’s location can determine which rules apply.
- Practice pathways remain separate. APIT covers telepsychology; TAP covers limited temporary in-person practice.
- Receiving-jurisdiction rules still matter. Scope-of-practice, conduct, reporting, and regulatory requirements may apply.
- Clinical procedures should address interstate care. Documentation and informed-consent practices should account for telepsychology, privacy, technology risks, emergency response, local resources, and the client’s location.
- Insurance coverage may have separate limits. Confirm that professional liability coverage extends to each jurisdiction and service format.
- Legal authority does not ensure payment. Payer enrollment, network status, coverage, and reimbursement remain separate.
- Organizations may add requirements. Employers, health systems, insurers, and federal programs may require other approvals or documentation.
Review regulatory, insurance, employer, and payer requirements before adding a jurisdiction to a practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About PSYPACT States
Is PSYPACT a Multistate Psychology License?
No. PSYPACT provides specific authority for qualifying psychologists to practice telepsychology or provide limited temporary in-person services across participating jurisdictions. The psychologist must maintain a qualifying home-state license and the required compact credentials and authorizations.
Can a Psychologist Use PSYPACT if the Client Travels to Another State?
It depends on where the client is physically located during the session. If the client travels to an operational PSYPACT jurisdiction, the psychologist may be able to continue telepsychology under an active APIT. If the client is in a nonparticipating jurisdiction, PSYPACT does not provide authority there; the psychologist would need another legally recognized basis to practice.
Can Psychology Students or Prelicensed Clinicians Use PSYPACT?
No. PSYPACT is designed for qualifying psychologists licensed for independent practice. Students, interns, and clinicians practicing under supervision are not independently eligible for compact authority.
Can Counselors, Social Workers, or Marriage and Family Therapists Use PSYPACT?
No. PSYPACT applies to psychologists. Counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists practice under separate licensing laws and may have access to different interstate compacts or state-specific pathways.
Does PSYPACT Allow Permanent In-Person Practice in Another State?
No. TAP permits temporary in-person practice for up to 30 calendar days per year in a participating distant state. A psychologist who intends to maintain an ongoing or permanent in-person practice may need a separate license from that state.
How Often Does the List of PSYPACT States Change?
There is no fixed update schedule. A jurisdiction may introduce or enact legislation at any point during its legislative cycle, and implementation may occur later. Before practicing, check the official PSYPACT map and confirm applicable requirements with the relevant state psychology licensing board.
Planning for Interstate Psychology Practice
PSYPACT can expand practice options for eligible psychologists, but it does not eliminate jurisdiction-specific responsibilities. Before providing services, psychologists should verify:
- Their current credential and authorization status
- Their own location and the client’s physical location
- The receiving jurisdiction’s current PSYPACT status and applicable practice rules
For prospective psychologists, interstate mobility begins with completing qualifying doctoral education and satisfying the requirements for independent psychologist licensure. Considering those requirements early can help students make informed decisions about training, supervised experience, and where to seek their initial license.
