MS HB1056

Enacts the Professional Counseling Compact into Mississippi law, allowing licensed professional counselors to practice across member states under a "privilege to practice" without obtaining separate licenses in each state.

Establishes the Counseling Compact Commission as a multi-state administrative body composed of one delegate per member state to oversee implementation, promulgate rules, and manage a shared data system for licensure and disciplinary information.

Requires member states to license counselors with a master's degree in counseling (60 semester hours), pass a nationally recognized exam, complete supervised postgraduate experience, and submit to criminal background checks.

Creates a "privilege to practice" mechanism allowing counselors with valid unencumbered licenses in their home state to practice in remote member states, with remote states retaining authority to discipline practitioners and telehealth authorized across state lines.

Amends Mississippi Code sections 73-30-3, 73-30-5, 73-30-7, 73-30-9, 73-30-21, 73-30-23, and 73-30-29 to incorporate Compact terminology including "privilege to practice" and allow the board to administer privilege applications and fees.