Brought to you by the Virginia Mental Health Counselors Association
About the Event
The Counseling Compact is a groundbreaking initiative that enables Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) to practice in member states by obtaining a privilege to practice. This continuing education course provides an in-depth exploration of the Counseling Compact, including its purpose and operation.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of:
• Eligibility requirements for LPCs seeking Compact privileges
• The step-by-step application process
• What states are issuing privileges and accepting privileges
• Ethical considerations counselors should evaluate before applying, such as jurisdictional responsibilities, client confidentiality across state lines, and adherence to state-specific regulations
By the end of the course, attendees will have the knowledge and resources to determine whether the Counseling Compact aligns with their professional goals and how to navigate the application process successfully. This course is ideal for licensed counselors looking to expand their practice into multiple states while maintaining ethical and legal compliance.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the requirements to participate in the compact and how to apply for privileges.
2. Differentiate between member states and active states in the Counseling Compact.
3. Explain ethical considerations for practicing across state lines under the privilege to practice.
About the Presenter
Greg Searls is the Executive Director of the Counseling Compact Commission. He is a licensed funeral service practitioner in Wyoming, beginning his regulatory career in 2010 when appointed by the Governor to the Board of Funeral Service Practitioners. In 2016, he transitioned to an Executive Director role within the Wyoming Professional Licensing Board office.
Throughout his tenure, Greg has served as the Executive Director for various boards, including the Mental Health Professions Licensing Board, Board of Registration in Podiatry, Board of Midwifery, Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, Board of Athletic Trainers, and Board of Occupational Therapy. During his leadership, Wyoming enacted statutes to join the ASLP-IC, Occupational Therapy Compact, and Counseling Compact. He initially served as the ex-officio representative to the Counseling Compact Commission for AASCB until Wyoming joined the compact, at which point he was appointed commissioner.
Greg holds a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science and a certificate in Gerontology from Gannon University, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Funeral Service Technology from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He co-authored the article "Counseling and the Interstate Compact: Navigating Ethical Practice Across State Lines," published in The Professional Counselor in the fall of 2023.