Fall Into Cash Guest Blog: How To Get Licensed As A Therapist In Other States
Written by Ryan Ward, Business Development Lead at MyWellbeing
With the increased demand for teletherapy in the past few years, therapists are no longer restricted to only working with clients in their local area. Thanks to teletherapy, getting licensed in other states besides your home state can be a great way to get in front of even more clients than ever before!
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However, there are a number of things to consider when getting additional state licenses. The timeframe to getting licensed can be as quick as days or last months, and not to mention there is almost always a cost involved with each. Given it can be a confusing and daunting process for therapists, we are going to break down all you need to know about getting licensed in other states.
Which states to choose?
One of the main questions you may be asking is where exactly should I get licensed? Given you have 50 states to choose from, there are a few things you should consider when deciding on which state licenses to pursue.
Budget
As we said before, there is almost always a cost associated with getting licensed in a new state. You should always first look at how much you’d be willing to pay to get licensed, and then work backward from there.
Reciprocity
Some licensing boards have agreements in place with other states to make the transferring of one license to a partner state very simple. License reciprocity is a best case scenario for providers, so we recommend checking with your current state licensing board first to ensure you don’t miss out on a quick license.
Insurance or Private Pay
Whether you accept insurance or not can also be an important part to consider in your decision. If you’re someone who doesn’t accept insurance, we’d recommend considering getting a license in a state where clients are more apt to pay privately. Based on market research completed by MyWellbeing, we’ve found that the states of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado, Texas, California, Illinois, and Washington are some of the states where it’s more popular to pay privately for therapy services.
Your Ideal Clients
Finally, one of the most important things to consider is who is your ideal client. What age of client do you specialize in? Do you have a niche practice with certain identity groups? If so, you’ll want to get licensed in states where your ideal clients are located. Here are just a few resources to help get a snapshot of the clients that can be present in each state:
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General Application process
Although each application process is unique, there is a pretty similar process to applying for a license across the board.
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Submitting Transcripts
- No matter what your training or license type, you will need to provide proof of completing your education and training. Each university or school will have its own unique process for requesting your transcripts, but you should be able to easily request them online through your school’s registrar office.
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Proof of supervision
- A lot of states will require proof of your completed supervision. It’s usually as easy as getting signatures from your previous supervisors. We’d recommend getting in contact with past supervisors early so that you aren’t held up waiting for them to complete any forms.
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Maintaining CEUs
- More than likely you will need to provide proof that you’ve kept up with your CEUs specific to your license type. In certain cases, a state may require you to complete state-specific CEUs in order to obtain a license there. If you’re in doubt, we always recommend reaching out to your licensing board directly to verify you have the CEUs necessary to obtain your license. If you need to find CEUs, check out this list of CEU opportunities gathered by MyWellbeing.
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Complete the application paperwork
- Each state will have its own documents you will need to complete in order to apply for your license. They should be pretty straightforward to complete, but obviously it is dependent on each state and the type of license you’re applying for. In some cases, your forms will need to be notarized, but don’t let that hold you back from applying. We highly recommend Notarize. They offer online, on-demand notary services at a highly competitive rate of $25/
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Pay application fees
- There will be an application fee you need to submit in order for your application to be processed. Be sure to have your funds ready and available so that you can complete the process. Each fee will again be dependent on each state and the type of license you’re applying for.
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License-Specific Resources
LMFT
The American Association of Marriage & Family Therapists created this resource to learn more about each state’s licensing requirements.
LPC
The American Counseling Association created this interactive map that you can use to learn more about state-specific licensing requirements.
LCSW
Social Work Guide created this page that breaks down state licensure requirements by state. Social workers have a much easier time getting multiple licenses, as you’ll find their license reciprocity is common across states.
PhDs or PsyDs
Depending on where you are located, you may be able to participate in PSYPACT as a psychologist. If you aren’t licensed in a PSYPACT state, you can view this resource to learn more about each state’s specific requirements.
MDs or DOs
For physicians, you may be able to take advantage of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to practice in other states. If you aren’t in a participating state, you’ll need to apply for a licensure directly through the state-specific medical board you’d like to get licensed in.
In Summary
In summary, getting additional licenses can seem overwhelming, but it is easier than most therapists think. Just be sure to define your ideal clients and where they are located, determine a budget that you’d like to stay within paying for more licenses, and always check for reciprocity!
Once you are licensed in additional states, don’t forget to market yourself in those new states. MyWellbeing can help you get connected with more clients across the US through our unique matchmaking process. If you’d like to join our free directory or try client matching, click here to learn more.
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