Oregon has a unique opportunity to improve access to counseling services, address workforce challenges, and save taxpayer dollars by adopting the Counseling Compact. This multistate agreement allows licensed professional counselors to practice across member states with greater ease, fostering mobility, efficiency, and innovation in the field. Here’s why Oregon must act now to join the Compact.
The Problem: Workforce Shortages and Licensing Barriers
Like many states, Oregon faces a shortage of licensed professional counselors, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities. Current licensing processes create barriers for out-of-state counselors who want to practice in Oregon, limiting the state’s ability to attract and retain talent. These barriers also restrict access to telehealth services, which have become critical for mental health care delivery.
The Solution: The Counseling Compact
The Counseling Compact addresses these issues by allowing licensed professional counselors to practice in all member states under a single multistate license. This reduces the need for duplicative licensing, encourages workforce mobility, and facilitates the use of telehealth technology to reach underserved populations. Importantly, the Compact upholds high professional standards to ensure the safety and well-being of clients.
Cost-Saving Benefits for Oregon
Reduction in Administrative Burdens:
Oregon’s licensing authority spends significant resources on processing out-of-state applications and managing compliance. Participation in the Compact would streamline these processes, reducing costs by leveraging a centralized database maintained by the Compact Commission.
States already participating in similar compacts have reported administrative cost savings of up to 20%.
Increased Workforce Participation:
By simplifying the path for out-of-state counselors to practice in Oregon, the Compact would help address workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This increased access to care reduces the long-term costs associated with untreated mental health conditions.
Telehealth capabilities enabled by the Compact would further extend the reach of Oregon’s counseling workforce, minimizing travel costs for both counselors and clients.
Retention of Military-Affiliated Professionals:
The Compact supports military families by making it easier for spouses of active-duty service members to maintain their counseling licenses across state lines. This helps Oregon retain skilled professionals who might otherwise leave due to licensing barriers.
Enhancing Access to Mental Health Care
By joining the Compact, Oregon can:
Expand the availability of licensed counselors in areas with high demand and limited access.
Promote telehealth services to bridge gaps in care for rural and remote communities.
Ensure continuity of care for clients who relocate across state lines.
Ensuring Public Safety
The Counseling Compact includes robust safeguards, such as the sharing of disciplinary actions and licensure information among member states. These measures ensure that only qualified and ethical professionals practice in Oregon, maintaining high standards of care.
What’s at Stake?
Without adopting the Compact, Oregon risks:
Worsening workforce shortages and gaps in mental health care.
Higher administrative costs for licensing and compliance.
Limited access to telehealth services, especially in rural areas.
Conclusion: A Step Toward a Healthier Oregon
Joining the Counseling Compact is a strategic and fiscally responsible decision. It addresses urgent workforce challenges, reduces costs, and improves access to vital mental health services for Oregonians. By adopting the Compact, Oregon’s legislators can ensure that the state remains a leader in addressing mental health needs while upholding the highest standards of care.
Now is the time to act. Let’s make Oregon a part of the Counseling Compact and pave the way for a healthier, more connected state.
Full “Ready-to-go” legislative rule is found here: https://prod761aul1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Final_Counseling_Compact_3.1.22.pdf