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What are Washington’s LPC reciprocity requirements?

Learn pathways to licensure, how a Compact license is different, and how Headway supports multi-state practice.

February 19, 2026

9 min read

Particularly in today’s telehealth-centric world, where a fair share of clients are just a video call away, many therapists are interested in practicing in multiple states.

One way to do so is through reciprocity agreements. Reciprocity allows therapists licensed in one state to also practice in another. Taking advantage of pre-existing reciprocity agreements can streamline the process of getting licensed and credentialed to practice in multiple states, thereby expanding your pool of potential clients without adding a ton of administrative work to your to-do list.

Specific reciprocity requirements vary by state and license type, so make sure to research your particular situation. To get you started, here are Washington state’s reciprocity requirements for licensed professional counselors (LPCs).

Key insights

1

Washington state grants reciprocity to counselors who are already practicing in 39 states with “substantially equivalent” criteria for licensure.

2

Washington has also pledged to join the Counseling Compact, a nationwide initiative meant to make it easier for counselors to practice in multiple states, but that program is not fully operational as of January 2026.

Washington’s licensing requirements for LPCs

To become a mental health counselor in Washington state, you must meet certain professional and educational criteria and complete certain steps. These include:

  • Securing a graduate degree in mental health counseling or a related field.
  • Completing a minimum of 36 months (or 3,000 hours) of postgraduate counseling experience under the supervision of a qualified licensed mental health practitioner. At least 100 of those hours must occur under immediate supervision by a qualified licensed provider, and at least 1,200 of them must involve directly counseling individuals, couples, groups, or families.
  • Passing either the National Counselor Exam or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam.
  • Filling out an application and paying the $191 application fee. If you have any history of professional liability claims, you must include an explanation of those claims with your application.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet all relevant criteria for licensure or reciprocity.

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Washington’s reciprocity requirements for LPCs

Washington state offers reciprocity to counselors who are licensed in states with “substantially equivalent” criteria for licensure, as long as those counselors don’t have disqualifying disciplinary or criminal backgrounds. (More on which states are “substantially equivalent” below.) 

Under this program, out-of-state clinicians can apply for a temporary license that allows them to practice in Washington for one year. The temporary license can then be renewed for another year. 

“The purpose of the probationary license is to see if there are differences in education, experience, or examination between the other state's license requirements and Washington's requirements, and allows applicants to practice while working to make up those differences,” according to Washington State Department of Health.

Out-of-state applicants must provide verification of their eligibility to practice in another state. Like people applying for primary licensure in Washington, they must also supply information about their educational and professional backgrounds. 

However, counselors who are already licensed elsewhere do not need to re-take the counseling exam as long as they can provide proof of passing it in another state. Additionally, out-of-state counselors who have been licensed in good standing for at least five years, and who do not have a disqualifying criminal history, do not need to submit proof of postgraduate supervision hours. 

Which option is best for you?

If you don’t need to practice in Washington for a long time — perhaps you’re living there only temporarily, or want to offer short-term support to a client who has moved — getting temporary licensure under the state’s reciprocity program may be a great and relatively simple option.

If you’re planning a permanent move to Washington, or want to offer telehealth services there moving forward, you may want to consider pursuing full licensure in Washington state. (And if you're planning on getting credentialed in Washington state through Headway, you will need to obtain full licensure.)

Which states does Washington have reciprocity agreements with?

Washington state has determined that 39 states have substantially equivalent licensure standards for counselors. The 11 states that do not meet its standards for reciprocity are Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. 

If you are licensed as a counselor in any other U.S. state, you likely qualify for reciprocity with Washington. You can check whether your credentials are accepted here.

The Counseling Compact offers another path to cross-state licensure

The Counseling Compact is a nationwide initiative meant to more easily allow counselors to practice in multiple states. Under this agreement, counselors who already live and practice in a member state will be allowed to practice in other member states simply by applying for privileges through the Counseling Compact. As a provider, you still need to apply on a state-by-state basis. Ideally, this eliminates the need to secure multiple state licenses.

As of January 2026, only three states — Arizona, Minnesota, and Ohio — have completed all the requirements necessary to grant privileges through the compact. But 36 other states, plus the District of Columbia, are actively working toward full membership. Washington is among these states. You can see the full map here. 

States will continue officially joining the compact on a rolling basis. States may grant privileges to counselors in other member states once they meet certain prerequisites, including technological requirements and application procedures. 

As the Counseling Compact agreement is still actively evolving, Headway does not yet participate in the Counseling Compact at this time.

How is the Counseling Compact different from reciprocity?

Both the Counseling Compact and reciprocity agreements are meant to facilitate therapy across state lines. But the behind-the-scenes processes for getting there are different. 

A Washington reciprocity license is a full professional license issued by the state of Washington, meaning providers are considered independently licensed under Washington law and subject to the state’s licensing authority.

By contrast, the Counseling Compact does not issue a license. Instead, it grants a privilege to practice across participating states based on a provider’s home-state license. While this privilege allows clinicians to practice in other compact states, it does not confer independent licensure in those states and does not replace a state-issued license.

As of January 2026, reciprocity is a more widely available option for counselors, since only three states are fully active in the Counseling Compact. But as more states start granting privileges through the compact, that may become an easier option for therapists looking to practice in multiple states.

What are the benefits of having a reciprocity license in Washington?

Building a thriving private practice requires a full client roster. Practicing in a new state, like Washington, is a great way to expand your reach and begin working with new clients — or to continue working with old clients who have moved away.

Teletherapy has dramatically changed the mental health care landscape, giving therapists the tools needed to work with clients in any U.S. state. Reciprocity allows you to keep pace with the times and expand your client list accordingly.

You have a reciprocity license in Washington — what’s next?

Getting licensed in a new state can mean big things for your practice — but only if you take advantage of your new opportunities. 

Don’t let your reciprocity with Washington go to waste. Make sure you’re marketing effectively to clients in Washington and any other states in which you’re licensed to practice. Remember to update your website, provider directory profiles, and social media profiles to make it clear that you’re accepting clients in a new area. Networking with organizations and clinicians in your new practice area can also help you gain valuable referral sources. 

The downside of multi-state practice is that a growing client list means a growing administrative to-do list — especially if you’re working toward full licensure in Washington, beyond the temporary license granted by its reciprocity program. With so much to juggle, you’ll have to stay on top of your time and practice management. With a suite of free tools meant to lighten your administrative load, Headway is here to be your practice partner in Washington and beyond.

Curious about other states’ reciprocity requirements? Headway breaks them down

Remember, reciprocity requirements vary by state and license type. It can be hard to keep it all straight — which is why Headway has done some of the research for you. Here are resources on other state reciprocity requirements: 

How Headway supports your multi-state practice

There’s no way around it: Expanding your practice to a new state can revolutionize your business, but it also comes with a long to-do list. That’s where Headway can help.

While Headway doesn’t accept reciprocal licenses at this time, we can help you get credentialed with ease in all the states in which you’re licensed, so you can begin seeing in-network patients in new areas in as little as two to four weeks. To find those new clients, you can advertise your services on our provider directory to reach people anywhere in the U.S. 

Once you’re up and running, our free EHR is there to keep your practice running smoothly and efficiently. It comes loaded with free features that reduce the administrative burden of being a multi-state therapist. Use documentation templates and AI assistance to make note-taking fast and compliant, lean on our scheduling and client communication features to stay on top of your calendar (across states and even time zones), and let us handle all nitty-gritty billing details. You, meanwhile, can focus on caring for clients in any part of the U.S. — and enjoy competitive, consistent bi-weekly paychecks while you do.

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This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.

© 2026 Therapymatch, Inc. dba Headway. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

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