AB 2566 Summary

• Enacts the Interstate Counseling Compact to allow licensed professional counselors to practice across multiple states under a "Privilege to Practice" if they meet uniform requirements

• Compact becomes effective when 10 states enact it; California's participation requires the Director of Consumer Affairs to certify that a majority of the Board of Behavioral Sciences voted in favor of joining

• Establishes the Counseling Compact Commission as a multi-state administrative body to oversee licensure, maintain a shared database of licensure and disciplinary information, and adopt uniform rules

• Requires participating states to ensure licensees pass nationally recognized exams, hold master's degrees in counseling with specific coursework, and complete supervised postgraduate experience

• Allows licensed counselors with unencumbered licenses in their home state to practice telehealth and in-person counseling in other member states, subject to those states' laws and regulations