HARRISBURG, PA – June 3, 2025 – Legislation introduced by Senators Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks) to authorize Pennsylvania’s participation in the National Counseling Compact was approved by the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee today by a unanimous vote.
The Compact enables licensed professional counselors in Pennsylvania to provide services across state lines in any of the 37 member states, including neighboring states such as Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virginia.
The bill, SB604, expands access to care while maintaining professional standards, an important step as the country faces a projected shortage of more than 40,000 mental health counselors by 2030, according to federal health workforce data.
“This bill is about removing barriers to mental health care,” Boscola said. “Joining the Compact helps ensure Pennsylvania keeps pace with a growing demand for qualified counselors and gives people better access to the support they need, no matter where they live.”
Senator Schwank added, “I’m thrilled to see progress being made to ensure our counselors are able to provide essential services and support to those who need it, no matter where they live. SB604 is a major step forward, for professionals and clients alike, in providing faster and more flexible access to quality mental health care.”
Pennsylvania has already joined compacts for nurses, physicians, psychologists, and physical therapists. Adding counselors to that list continues the Commonwealth’s bipartisan commitment to modernizing licensure and strengthening behavioral health access.
Dr. Eric Owens, LPC, President of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, the state’s leading voice for licensed professional counselors, expressed strong support for the measure. “We believe that by joining the Counseling Compact, we can better address the mental health crisis Pennsylvanians are living through. Joining the Compact will provide more access to mental health care and will provide more employment opportunities for counselors across the Commonwealth.”
The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
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