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Counseling · NY

Can a Licensed Professional Counselor transfer a license to New York as a military spouse?

Data as of May 2026|Source: Counseling Compact commission + DOJ Servicemembers Initiative
Published by the Honest MOS Editorial DeskVerified against DoD/.gov sourcesUpdated May 2026Editorial standards
⚠ VAEIA federal backstop

Not through the compact — New York is not currently a Counseling compact member. A military-spouse Licensed Professional Counselor relies on VAEIA 2022 / 50 U.S.C. § 4025a, which requires New York to recognize a valid out-of-state license upon relocation for military orders.

Your counseling licensing board in New York

New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Mental Health Practitioners)
www.op.nysed.gov/professions/mental-health-counselors/license-requirements518-474-3817
New York military-spouse provision

NYSED expedites licensure for spouses of active-duty military relocated to New York across all SED-licensed professions, including licensed mental health counselors, with a reduced application fee and a possible temporary practice permit.

Official source ↗

About the Counseling Compact

For licensed professional counselors (LPC, LMHC, LCMHC). Member-state license is recognized in all other member states; military spouses can use home-state license in any compact state.

Official compact site ↗

All Counseling member states

34 jurisdictions. Tap any to check that destination for this profession.

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All compacts for New YorkCounseling portability — all states →License portability checker →MyCAA: $4,000 for relicensing →
Published by the Honest MOS Editorial DeskVerified against DoD/.gov sourcesUpdated May 2026Editorial standards