Is Washington in the Counseling compact?

Yes. Washington is one of 34 member jurisdictions in the Counseling Compact (effective for the compact since 2023).

What if Washington doesn't recognize my license?

VAEIA 2022 / 50 U.S.C. § 4025a (effective Dec 23, 2024) requires Washington to recognize your valid out-of-state Licensed Professional Counselor license when you relocate due to military orders. If a board pushes back, cite the statute and the DOJ Servicemembers Initiative guidance. The DoD also reimburses up to $1,000 per PCS for relicensing fees.

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Counseling · WA

Can a Licensed Professional Counselor transfer a license to Washington 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

✓ Yes — compact transfer

Yes. Washington is a member of the Counseling Compact, so a Licensed Professional Counselor holding a multistate/compact license can practice in WA without re-applying. Explicit military-spouse provision: practice on home-state license in any Compact state, plus expedited home-license process when moving.

Your counseling licensing board in Washington

Washington State Department of Health — Mental Health Counselor program

doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/mental-health-counselor/licensing-information ↗☎ 360-236-4700

Washington military-spouse provision

Under RCW 18.340 the Department of Health expedites a Mental Health Counselor application for a spouse or registered domestic partner of a service member transferred to Washington and must issue the license within 30 days of a completed application, with a temporary practice license available while Washington-specific requirements are met.

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.

AL AR CO CT DE FL GA ID IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MS MO MT NE NH NJ NC ND OH OK RI SC TN UT VT VA WA WV WY

All compacts for Washington →Counseling portability — all states →License portability checker →MyCAA: $4,000 for relicensing →