TX HB1537

Enacts the Licensed Professional Counselors Compact, allowing licensed professional counselors to practice across member states through a "Privilege to Practice" without obtaining separate licenses in each state

Establishes eligibility requirements for the Privilege to Practice, including holding an unencumbered home state license, passing a nationally recognized exam, completing a 60 semester-hour master's degree in counseling, and having no license encumbrances within the previous two years

Creates the Counseling Compact Commission, a joint public agency composed of one delegate from each member state's licensing board, with authority to promulgate rules, maintain a coordinated data system for licensure and disciplinary information, and levy annual assessments on member states

Authorizes member states to charge fees for granting the Privilege to Practice and requires criminal background checks including FBI fingerprint-based checks for applicants

Designates the Texas Executive Council as the compact administrator for the state and authorizes it to adopt rules necessary to implement the compact, with an effective date of September 1, 2025