AL HB219

Establishes the interstate Counseling Compact allowing licensed professional counselors to practice across member states under a "privilege to practice," including via telehealth technologies.

Requires participating states to license and regulate professional counselors, mandate passage of nationally recognized exams, require 60 semester-hours (or 90 quarter-hours) of graduate coursework in specified counseling areas, and implement criminal background checks.

Creates the Counseling Compact Commission composed of one delegate from each member state's licensing board with powers to adopt binding rules, maintain a coordinated licensure database, oversee adverse actions, and manage member state compliance and disputes.

Grants active duty military personnel and their spouses the ability to designate a home state for licensure while on active duty and maintain that designation throughout their service, supporting military family mobility.

Establishes the compact's effective date upon enactment in the tenth member state and allows member states to withdraw with six months' notice, while maintaining investigative and adverse action reporting obligations through the withdrawal date.