What is PSYPACT?
The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT®) is an interstate compact designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries.
The compact allows psychologists to practice telepsychology in any state that participates in PSYPACT, without having to obtain additional licenses.
History of PSYPACT
PSYPACT came about following the creation of the Telepsychology Task Force established by The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) in 2011. This task force was charged with “drafting Standards and Guidelines around the use of technology in the provision of psychological services as well as explore the use and impact of technology across jurisdictions” (PSYPACT website).
PSYPACT was approved by the ASPPB in February of 2015, and Arizona was the first state to enact it in May of 2016. As of May 8, 2025, 43 states have enacted PSYPACT:
To qualify, you must complete a two-step process—first with ASPPB and then with the PSYPACT Commission. Step-by-step directions are available on ASPPB’s website @ https://asppb.net/credentials-related-records/telepsychology-credentials/.
Pros and Cons of PSYPACT
The National Psychologist has compiled these articles regarding the pros and cons of PSYPACT:
The Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact has proven to be of immense value, according to Jonathan Perle, PhD:
While I have been offering telehealth services for many years, a substantial portion of these services was historically confined to patients within my state of licensure. This limitation became problematic as many patients receiving specialized care relocated during their treatment, which compelled me to prematurely terminate their interventions because I was not licensed in their new state of residence. Despite numerous patients expressing a desire to continue working with me, it was impractical—both in terms of time and finances—for me to obtain licenses in each state to which they moved.
PSYPACT was relatively easy and quick to apply for and has been simple to maintain year-to-year. It took about a month to get approval and two weeks to receive my maintenance certificate after completing the online form.
Living in a rural area, I see patients from multiple states who often face challenges attending in-person due to illness, weather, or transportation issues. Video-based services across state lines have been crucial in maintaining continuity of care during winter months.
Although I need to adjust my methods based on evidence-informed recommendations, such as modifying my office, being more enthusiastic, and changing how I speak, video-based therapy usually works well, and patients enjoy it.
As I frequently receive inquiries about providing services in X state, I find the PSYPACT website, which features a consolidated list/map of PSYPACT-approved locations, to be an easy resource to identify and utilize.
While generally positive, it requires more effort to provide and maintain video-based services compared to in-person sessions. This includes adapting the presentation, troubleshooting issues, and keeping patients, particularly children, engaged. One of the primary challenges is allocating time to thoroughly review each jurisdiction’s laws (e.g., abuse reporting) to ensure compliance with their regulations.
Justin D’Arienzo, PsyD, was part of the legislative team of Florida psychologists who worked to implement PSYPACT in the state. D’Arienzo already had PSYPACT credentials through a Texas license (a PSYPACT state since 2020) and traveled from Florida to Texas to provide organizational psychological services and see patients virtually in other PSYPACT states via a satellite office in Austin, Texas. D’Arienzo shares his experience with PSYPACT:
After Florida’s PSYPACT law passed in July 2023, I transferred my home state status to Florida, where my main office is in Jacksonville. I’ve been seeing patients and organizational clients across jurisdictions since November 2022. It’s hard to believe it’s been over two years.
From a business standpoint, PSYPACT presents both advantages and disadvantages that are interrelated, with the overall impact contingent on one’s economic strategy. It has enabled me to access more lucrative markets with a higher concentration of affluent patients, in contrast to Jacksonville, Florida, where I reside.
Due to COVID-19 and the acceptance of virtual meetings, I have had the opportunity to work with several corporations across the U.S. in PSYPACT states to provide employment assessments, psychological fitness for duty evaluations, and consultation services. This has resulted in additional opportunities with these companies. Providing high-quality service has led to a broader reach beyond the home state. Consequently, PSYPACT has significantly increased the revenue for our practice.
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. Although it may seem counterintuitive, PSYPACT has made me feel more isolated. I no longer feel comfortable consulting and brainstorming with other psychologists across state lines about business ideas. These psychologists and friends, who once had little impact on our practice, now feel like competitors.
Overall, PSYPACT can benefit patients by potentially reducing rates and providing more care options in various areas. For psychologists, it may lead to improved psychological services as they compete. However, those lacking distinctive approaches or effective branding may find it challenging to succeed in private practice.
Nina Shiffrin Starin, PhD, told The National Psychologist,
PSYPACT has been an invaluable tool for both assisting with continuity of care and expanding access to evidence based treatments.
Prior to 2020 a majority of patients I saw were children and younger teens and when they graduated high school, I would have to transfer their care to their college counseling center, which often had long wait lists, only offered brief treatment and frequently did not offer CBT, or try in rare circumstances to find a provider offering evidence-based treatments in walking distance to their campus as most college freshman don’t have cars.
As more states have joined PSYPACT, I have been able to continue providing care for patients as they transition to college, graduate school, or new job locations. Currently, many of my patients are college students or young adults, some of whom I treated in their earlier years, while others began treatment more recently but would not otherwise have access to CBT during their college years.
I currently see patients in at least 7 states. Further, PSYPACT has helped make treatment more convenient. While my office is in MD, adjacent to Washington, DC and Virginia, patients no longer need to drive out to the Maryland suburbs to see me.
I am able to maintain continuity of care effectively when patients attend residential summer camps or travel. Previously, I obtained licensure in the District of Columbia to provide treatment during snow days while residing there; my office was in Maryland. The PSYPACT initiative has now eliminated the need to worry about continuing treatment during inclement weather.
My only complaint is, I wish more states would join PSYPACT. When I visit my hometown in upstate New York, despite holding a license in New York, I cannot provide treatment unless patients are in a state where I hold licensure. Many of my patients attend college or camp in Massachusetts. I hope that New York, Massachusetts, and other remaining states will soon participate in PSYPACT.
For more information, please visit:
- ASPPB: https://asppb.net/
- PSYPACT: https://psypact.gov/
Course excerpt from Therapy Tidbits – Winter/Spring 2025
Therapy Tidbits – Winter/Spring 2025 is a 1-hour online continuing education (CE) course comprised of select articles from the current issue of The National Psychologist, a family-owned, independent publication founded in 1991 to keep clinicians informed about practice issues. Click here to learn more.
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