SB99 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Professional counseling, Counseling Compact, licensed professional counselors authorized to practice on a limited basis among compact member states

Summary

Alabama adopts the Counseling Compact to let licensed professional counselors practice across member states in a limited way, using a shared data system and a central Commission.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Counseling Compact Commission to oversee the agreement, set rules, manage a coordinated licensure information system, and handle investigations and enforcement. It allows counselors to practice in other member states through a privilege to practice based on their home-state license, as long as they meet uniform requirements and follow remote-state laws, including telehealth. It requires member states to share licensure and disciplinary information, conduct background checks, and recognize home-state licenses, while detailing how adverse actions and joint investigations are handled across states. It also includes provisions for active-duty military personnel and their spouses to designate a home state and maintain it during service.

Who It Affects

• Licensed professional counselors (in Alabama and other member states) who can obtain a privilege to practice in remote states and must meet uniform requirements, while actions in one state can affect privileges in all member states.
• Clients seeking counseling who may gain greater access to counselors through mutual recognition and telehealth across member states.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Counseling Compact Commission to govern the agreement, adopt rules, manage finances, and oversee compliance and enforcement.
• Creates a privilege to practice pathway: counselors hold a home-state license and may practice in other member states if they meet uniform licensure requirements and pay fees, while complying with remote-state laws.
• Sets up a coordinated data system to share licensure, adverse actions, and investigative information among member states; requires prompt notification of adverse actions.
• Defines participation requirements for states (exams, degree and supervised experience, background checks) and cooperation in investigations and disciplinary actions.
• Allows telehealth practice across member states under the privilege to practice, with remote states enforcing their own regulations.
• Outlines adverse action and enforcement rules, including home-state control of licensure actions and deactivation of privileges in other states during actions, plus provisions for joint investigations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counselors