If you're licensed in one state and want to see Rula clients in another, a licensure compact may be a great option. If you're eligible, you can expand your practice to additional states without getting a separate license in each one, which means more opportunities to connect with clients and receive referrals as well as continue care with patients that move. This article explains what compacts are, details about Counseling Compact authorization, and what to expect when you submit your compact information to Rula.
What is a licensure compact?
A licensure compact is an agreement between participating states. It gives eligible providers another way to practice across state lines. Instead of getting a separate full license in every state, you can use your existing home-state license plus compact authority (an authorization for Counseling Compact) to practice in other participating states.
A few things to keep in mind:
- A compact extends your home-state license. It doesn't replace it, and it is not the same as a full state license. It's a separate form of practice authority, and you need to keep your home-state license active and in good standing for your compact authority to remain valid.
- Not every provider qualifies. Each compact has its own eligibility requirements, set by the compact itself.
- At Rula, compact authority applies to telehealth only. You can't use compact authority to see in-person clients through Rula.
- Compact credentials carry their own application and renewal fees, paid directly to the compact. Make sure you are up to date with the related requirements.
Why use a compact with Rula?
Practicing through a licensure compact lets you see clients in more states without getting a separate license in each one. That means more opportunities to connect with clients and receive referrals, and more ways to fill your schedule and grow your practice.
Which compacts does Rula support?
Rula currently supports Counseling Compacts and PSYPACT. You can read this help center article to learn more about PSYPACT.
| Counseling Compact | |
| Who it's for | Eligible counselors |
| How it works | You receive a separate privilege to practice for each participating state where you want to practice. |
| What you'll submit to Rula | Your compact privilege information for each state you select |
| Where to apply | Counseling Compact website - This page provides helpful information about eligibility, how the application process works, and more! |
Participating states change over time. More states will become live over time as the Counseling Compact expands its authority. We encourage providers to check back periodically to see if any more states have been added. Rula aims to accept each new state once they are live with Counseling Compact. You can check the Counseling Compact website for more details on which states are included in the compact licensure at this time.
How the process works at Rula
There are six steps from getting your compact to seeing clients in a new state.
Step 1: Get your compact privilege (you do this). Check that you're eligible and apply through the compact's official website. Rula can't apply on your behalf or confirm your eligibility. Most compact states require a jurisprudence exam, tutorial, or video before issuing your privilege. Check your state on the commission's jurisprudence page and complete it before you apply.
- Counseling Compact: https://counselingcompact.gov/application/application-draft2-0/
Step 2: Submit your compact information in the provider portal (you do this). Add your privilege number for each compact state you have authorization in. More information on how to do it below!
Step 3: Enter your Counseling Compact information into the license section of your CAQH profile (you do this). Add your compact details. More information on how to do it below!
Step 4: Rula verifies your compact (Rula does this). Rula reviews your information to confirm your compact authority.
Step 5: Rula completes credentialing and insurance enrollment (Rula does this). Rula credentials you for each state you applied for authorization and enrolls you with the insurance plans that accept compact-based practice. This is the same enrollment process Rula uses for any provider joining a new state.
Step 6: Add your availability and start receiving referrals (you do this). Add more availability to your calendar to increase the chance of receiving referrals from clients in your new states.
How to submit your compact information
Before you start, have the following ready:
- Your active home-state license information
- Your compact credential or privilege number details
In the Rula provider portal:
- Log in to the Rula provider portal.
- Go to your Profile Tab and click Practice locations.
- Under Telehealth, click Add Counseling Compact
- Select the state you would like to add
- Add your privilege number provided by Counseling Compact for that state, your home-state license type, and confirm if you are currently employed by any payors outside of your license home-state.
- Click Add.
- Rula will begin working on credentialing you in your newly added state.
- You can view reimbursement rates for each state in the provider portal before you submit.
- You will now be prompted to update your CAQH profile if you haven’t done so already.
If you have applied for multiple Counseling Compact States, you will have to go through this process a few times to add each state and your privilege number for that state.
Tip: Double-check your privilege numbers before you submit. Missing or incorrect information can slow down verification.
In your CAQH profile:
Log in to CAQH ProView at provider.caqh.org
- In the upper left corner, select Personal Information. You will first add your Counseling Compact state/s under Additional Practice States. Once they are added, review the rest of the page to ensure no corrections to existing data are required, then select Save and Continue.
- Next, navigate to Professional ID’s. This is where you will enter the Compact authority for each participating state (done one at a time) where you want to practice as a new license. Enter the issuing organization, Counseling Compact, using your privilege number, and the issue and expiration dates. You will be adding all states, so when you complete each state, be sure to only select Save & Add Another until your last entry. When all are entered, you can select Continue.
- Save and re-attest.
- Hovering over Profile Data at the top of your CAQH profile page, select Practice Locations.
- You should see an already added Rula practice location, Mental Health Specialty Group, P.A. for all Rula states that you can participate in with your Counseling Compact. Select the practice location using the pencil icon on the right.
- Once the practice location section is open you will see above the practice location name, Copy Practice Details from another location. Select the drop down and use the Mental Health Specialty Group, P.A. location visible and a screen will pop up asking to Confirm. Select Confirm. The practice location will duplicate and show an alert that it is a duplicate.
- Using the provided address list, scroll down to where the Location address is and change the Street 1, City, State, Zip Code (country remains unchanged) for your first compact state. Scroll through and ensure all phone numbers/fax numbers, TIN, NPI are unchanged. Make sure practice office hours are M-Sun 7 AM to 9PM (those are Rula hours, you set your hours on your own schedule), then at the bottom, select Save & Continue.
- A standardized address review may pop up, select Continue.
- The practice location will cycle to the next page, scroll to the bottom, select Save & Continue, then the last page of the location will open. Select Save & Complete to finish adding that practice.
- You will repeat steps 6 through 11 for each compact state you wish to participate with.
- After all locations have been added along with the state license information you added earlier, you need to Review and Re-attest, in order to save all the changes made to your profile. Do this before the final step below.
- Navigate in your profile to the “Documents Section” at the top. Then, at the bottom of your Documents page, you will see Select Document Type. Choose State License, and then select Upload.
- This is the copy you have saved to your computer desktop or file that is your Compact authorization document. You can print a digital verification document anytime using the link located at the top of your personal dashboard provided to you when you signed up with the Counseling Compact.
- Confirm Rula is listed as an authorized audience for your profile so we can verify your compact information. It is always best to Authorize All so any health payor we are contracted with will not have issues viewing your profile data.
- Remember that “All” is only those who are in healthcare administration. The general public is not able to see any of your CAQH data.
Tip: All data in your CAQH profile, including your privilege verification document (printed from your CompactConnect dashboard), must be maintained. If you do not, it could lead to delays in processing, inability to treat clients, and potential termination.
What happens after you submit
You won't be bookable immediately. Rula needs to verify your compact authority for each state you add and finish credentialing and insurance enrollment first. Verification is usually quick. Insurance enrollment takes longer and depends on each insurance company, and it can take weeks to a few months.
You may need to take a few more steps. Depending on the state and insurance plans, Rula may ask you to send additional documentation. We will reach out directly through credentialing@rula.com or through our partner Certify (outreach@certifyos.com).
Watch your provider portal and email for requests so your application doesn't stall.
Not every insurance plan accepts compact-based practice. Having compact authority in a state doesn't mean you'll be able to see clients with every insurance plan there. Plans have their own requirements, so the plans available to you may differ from those available to providers with a full license in the state. You’ll be able to see which plans accept Counseling Compact in each state in the Rula provider portal.
Keep your credentials current. Your privilege in each state renews with your home-state license. IF your home-state license renews on time, your privileges stay current. If it lapses, every privilege you hold will be affected. You should always renew any license prior to expiring, and update your CAQH profile when renewed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need my home-state license?
Yes. A compact works alongside your qualifying home-state license and doesn't replace it.
Does Rula help me apply for a compact?
No. You're responsible for researching eligibility and applying through the compact's official website. After you have your credential or privilege, you can submit it to Rula via the provider portal.
Can I use a compact to see clients in person?
No. Compact practice through Rula is for telehealth only.
Which states can I practice in through Rula?
Rula supports compact practice in a set of participating states, and the list can change over time. You'll see the states available to you when you add your compact information in the provider portal. To see which states participate in each compact overall, visit the Counseling Compact website.
Can I choose which states I practice in, or will I be enrolled in all of them?
When you apply for a Counseling Compact, you will select the compact states where you'd like to practice. You will then get a privilege number for each state which you will then submit in the Rula provider portal. If there are states you don't want to practice in, you can skip them in your Counseling Compact application process.
Can I start seeing clients as soon as I submit my compact information?
Not necessarily. Rula still needs to verify your compact and complete credentialing and insurance enrollment before you're bookable in the new state.
How long does it take to become bookable?
It varies. Verification is relatively quick, but insurance enrollment depends on each insurance company and state, and can take weeks. You may also need to complete a few follow-up steps, which can affect timing.
Will I need to do anything else after I submit?
Possibly. Rula may ask you to take additional steps. Check your provider portal and email for requests or updates.
Will using a compact affect my home-state license?
Using a compact doesn't replace or change your home-state license, but you do need to keep it active and in good standing. For questions about how a compact interacts with your specific license, contact your licensing board.
Do I need to tell my licensing board about my compact?
Requirements vary by board and compact. Check with your home-state licensing board and the compact's website for any reporting requirements.
I'm having trouble entering my compact details in the provider portal. What should I do?
You can ask to connect with a Rula Support agent through the “Ask a question…” field at the bottom of the help center. Include a screenshot of the error and the step where you got stuck.
My compact information was rejected or has been pending for a while. Who can help?
You can reach out to the Rula Credentialing team at credentialing@rula.com. In your subject line, enter "Counseling Compact Question", and it will get routed to the right team so we can easily assist you.
Where can I find the status of my compact verification?
In the Rula provider portal! Once credentialing is complete, you will see that you’re credentialed with each Counseling Compact state via the Practice location tab in the provider portal.
What if my home state isn't part of Counseling Compacts?
You aren't eligible for Counseling Compact practice authority. Standard state licensure is the path to seeing clients in other states. More states will become live over time as the Counseling Compact expands its authority. We encourage providers to check back periodically to see if any more states have been added.
What happens if I move to a new home state?
Your compact authority is tied to your home-state license. If your home state changes, you'll need to re-establish by obtaining a full license in your new state and/or confirm your compact credential before you can keep seeing clients through Counseling Compact.
Does getting Counseling Compact authority cost anything?
Yes. Each privilege carries the state's fees plus the commission's administrative fee, per state. Counseling Compact charges application and renewal fees, paid directly to the compact.
Where to learn more
- Counseling Compact: eligibility requirements, participating states, and how to apply
- Your home-state licensing board: questions about how a compact applies to your license
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