PSYPACT, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, is an agreement among US states that lets licensed psychologists provide therapy across state lines, mostly through telehealth. It means a psychologist in one member state can legally see clients who live in any other member state by video, without getting a full license in each one.
As of 2026, more than 40 states plus Washington, D.C. take part, and the list keeps growing. Washington State is a member, which matters for clients here. A few states, such as California and Hawaii, have not joined yet.
For clients, PSYPACT often means you can keep the same psychologist even if you move, travel, or head off to college in another member state. That continuity can make a real difference. It is the backbone of virtual therapy with PSYPACT-authorized psychologists.
Wondering if PSYPACT lets you work with us? Reach out to the Wonder Tree team and we can check your state.
What Is PSYPACT?
PSYPACT is an interstate compact, which is a formal agreement that states choose to join. It is administered through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Once a state passes the law and joins, its psychologists can take part.
The compact was created to solve a simple problem. In the past, a psychologist needed a separate license in every state where a client lived, which made cross-state care hard. PSYPACT replaces that with one shared system among member states.
Interest grew quickly once telehealth became common. More states keep joining, which widens the map of where care can reach. To see the kinds of support that can be offered this way, our guide to the types of therapy for mental health gives an overview.
It is worth being clear about what PSYPACT is not. It does not lower the standards a psychologist must meet. Instead, it sets shared rules that all member states agree to follow.
Which States Allow Interstate Telehealth Therapy Through PSYPACT?
More than 40 states, along with Washington, D.C., now take part in PSYPACT. Because new states join regularly, the exact number shifts from year to year. The safest way to confirm a state is to check the official PSYPACT Commission list.
Participating states include a wide spread across the country, such as Washington, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, among many others. A handful of states, including California and Hawaii, had not joined as of 2026. Since the map keeps expanding, it is worth checking again if your state is not yet listed.
What this means in practice is simple. If both your psychologist’s home state and your own state are members, interstate telehealth is usually allowed. A provider can confirm this quickly for your situation.
There is one detail worth remembering. What matters is where you are physically located during the session, not just where you usually live. So if you travel to a non-member state, care may pause until you return to a member state.
How Does PSYPACT Work for Psychologists?
A psychologist does not give up their home state license to use PSYPACT. They keep that license and add a special authorization on top of it. This authorization is what permits care across state lines.
For telehealth, this is often called an E.Passport. It confirms the psychologist meets the compact’s shared standards. There is also a separate authorization for limited, temporary in-person work in another member state.
The home state still holds the psychologist accountable for their conduct. This keeps client protections in place no matter where the client lives. The system is built on shared rules, not loopholes.
Not sure if your state qualifies? Book a quick check with Wonder Tree and we will let you know.
Who Does PSYPACT Help, and Who Is It Not For?
PSYPACT is a real help for people whose lives cross state lines. College students who study out of state can keep their therapist from home. Military families, frequent travelers, and people with second homes benefit in the same way.
It also widens access for people in rural areas, who may have few providers nearby. With PSYPACT, they can work with a psychologist in another member state. This can open doors that were closed before.
One important point about who it covers. PSYPACT is only for licensed psychologists, not for counselors, social workers, or other therapist types. Those professions have their own separate agreements, so it helps to ask what license your provider holds.
For adults juggling work, travel, and family, the flexibility can be the deciding factor in starting care at all. Steady adult mental health therapy in Vancouver, WA becomes far easier when a session fits into a lunch break instead of a half-day trip. Removing that hassle helps people begin and stay with support.
What Are the Benefits of PSYPACT for Clients?
For clients, the gains are practical and easy to feel. PSYPACT removes many of the barriers that used to interrupt care. The main benefits include:
Continuity, so you can keep the same psychologist through a move or a semester away.
Access to care even when few providers are nearby.
More choice, since you are not limited to psychologists in your own town.
Convenience, with sessions from home and no long drives.
These benefits matter most during life changes, when stopping therapy would hurt the most. Keeping support steady through a stressful transition is valuable. If you are weighing whether to start or continue care, our post on when to seek mental health counseling can help.
Does PSYPACT Cover Children, Families, and Testing?
PSYPACT can support therapy for children and families, not just individual adults. A PSYPACT-authorized psychologist can offer child therapy in Vancouver, WA and work with the whole household through family therapy in Vancouver, WA by video, where the rules allow.
Psychological testing is a bit more complex. Some parts of an evaluation can be done remotely, while others may need an in-person visit. Services like autism testing in Vancouver, WA and ADHD and learning disability testing often involve hands-on steps.
Because of this, it is best to ask directly what can be done by telehealth in your case. A provider can explain which parts are remote and which are not. The answer depends on the service, the state, and the specific test being used.
PSYPACT Telehealth With Wonder Tree
At Wonder Tree Developmental Psychology, located at 1603 Officers Row in Vancouver, WA, care is offered both in person and online. Washington is a PSYPACT member, so our PSYPACT-authorized psychologists can reach clients in other participating states by video.
This flexibility helps families who move, students who leave for school, and anyone who travels for work. Wherever you are within a member state, the goal is steady, quality support. A quick conversation can confirm what is possible for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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PSYPACT stands for the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. It is an agreement among US states that lets qualified psychologists practice across state lines, mainly through telehealth.
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As of 2026, more than 40 states plus Washington, D.C. take part, and the list keeps growing. Because it changes, the official PSYPACT Commission list is the best place to confirm a state.
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No. PSYPACT is only for licensed psychologists. Counselors, social workers, and other therapist types fall under their own separate agreements, so it helps to ask about your provider’s license.
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Often, yes, as long as both states are members. This is one of the most common reasons people value PSYPACT. Your provider can confirm whether your new state qualifies.