HB2834 - Counseling Compact Act Summary

• Illinois enters into the Counseling Compact, an interstate agreement allowing licensed professional counselors to practice across member states under a "Privilege to Practice" with their home state license.

• Establishes the Counseling Compact Commission as a national administrative body composed of state delegates to develop rules, maintain a data system tracking licensees, and oversee compliance with compact provisions.

• Licensees must hold an unencumbered license in their home state, pass a nationally recognized exam, complete 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of graduate counseling coursework, and meet continuing competence requirements to practice in remote states.

• Remote states retain authority to take adverse actions against licensees practicing within their borders, and all member states must share investigative information and adverse action reports through a coordinated data system.

• Requires the Professional Counselor Licensing Board to submit compliance recommendations within 2 months and modify state rules within 6 months to align with compact requirements.