PSYPACT, short for the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, is an agreement among a group of participating states that generally allows licensed psychologists to provide telehealth services, and in some cases conduct temporary in-person practice, across state lines without obtaining a full separate license in each state.
The two main pathways
PSYPACT generally operates through two distinct authorities. The Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology, often referred to by its acronym, allows a psychologist licensed in a PSYPACT state to provide telehealth services to clients located in other PSYPACT states. A separate authority covers temporary in-person, face-to-face practice across state lines for a limited number of days per year. Each authority has its own eligibility criteria and application process through the compact's administrative system.
Eligibility generally required
To participate, a psychologist typically needs to hold an active, unrestricted license in a PSYPACT member state, meet certain education and supervised experience standards, and pass a national licensing examination recognized by the compact. A clean disciplinary history is generally expected as well. Because the compact only functions between states that have formally joined it, the psychologist's home state and the state where the client is located both generally need to be current PSYPACT members for the pathway to apply.
PSYPACT authority to practice only works between two participating states — it does not create a general right to practice telepsychology nationwide.
What PSYPACT does not cover
PSYPACT addresses psychology licensure specifically; it does not extend to other behavioral health professions such as counseling or social work, which generally have their own separate interstate frameworks. It also does not override a state's substantive practice standards, informed consent requirements, or recordkeeping rules, which typically continue to apply to telepsychology sessions delivered under PSYPACT authority just as they would under a standard license.
Because PSYPACT membership and program details can change as more states join or update their participation, psychologists relying on the compact generally find it worthwhile to verify current status for both the home state and the client's state before providing services. Requirements vary by state and change over time — always confirm current requirements directly with the relevant state board or agency before making a compliance decision.