SB22-077 Summary: Interstate Licensed Professional Counselors Compact

• Adopts an interstate compact allowing licensed professional counselors (LPCs) to practice in member states where they are not licensed, based on licensure in their home state

• Establishes the Counseling Compact Commission as a multi-state administrative body with representation from each member state to develop rules, maintain a data system, and oversee compact implementation

• Sets participation requirements for member states including: licensing and regulating LPCs, requiring nationally recognized exams, mandating 60 semester-hour (or 90 quarter-hour) master's degree in counseling with specified topics, implementing criminal background checks, and investigating complaints

• Enables Colorado's State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners to grant "privilege to practice" privileges to out-of-state LPCs holding valid unencumbered home state licenses, while maintaining authority over discipline and adverse actions

• Appropriates $104,538 to the Division of Professions and Occupations for 2022-23, with compact becoming effective once adopted by the tenth member state