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LicenseReciprocity

Counseling License from Georgia to Arkansas: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-09-27 · source: Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (Arkansas Department of Health), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) ↗

Yes, for working in Arkansas — both Georgia and Arkansas are active members of the Counseling Compact. If Georgia is your primary state of residence and your Georgia license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Arkansas without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Arkansas, you will need a Arkansas license once Arkansas becomes your home state.

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Verdict

Compact privilege — work there without a second license

Working in Arkansas and moving to Arkansas are two different transactions here. Cross-border practice, whether a telehealth caseload or in-person sessions, runs on an Arkansas privilege bought through CompactConnect and anchored to your Georgia license, which must stay active, unencumbered, and at the independent level. A move of residence needs a new home-state license from the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (Arkansas Department of Health), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Both states being compact members shortens that license application, since Arkansas verifies you through the compact's data system, but you still complete its background checks and any jurisprudence requirement.

What changes, Georgia → Arkansas

Side-by-side: Georgia vs Arkansas (Counseling (LPC / LMHC)), verified 2026-09-27
Georgia (current)Arkansas (destination)
Counseling Compact statusCounseling Compact member — compact privilege to practiceCounseling Compact member — compact privilege to practice
Application fee$100 ($100 non-refundable LPC endorsement application fee; the 05/02/2023 paper form lists $110, which includes a $10 mail-in processing fee. The current online GOALS fee schedule (goals.sos.ga.gov) returned HTTP 403 and could not be checked. Fingerprint background check paid separately to the vendor; NBCC score-report fee separate. NOT the Counseling Compact privilege fee (Georgia charges $100 + $30 commission admin fee = $130 for a privilege; no jurisprudence exam).)$100 (initial LPC application fee per 17 CAR 75-1301(a)(1) (2026 Rule Revision). The Board may waive it for applicants on public assistance, recently approved for unemployment, or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Separate fees: $250 LPC license fee (75-1302, first fee prorated), jurisprudence exam fee paid to NBCC, and background-check fees. NOT the Counseling Compact privilege fee (Arkansas charges $50 + $30 commission admin fee = $80 for a privilege, and requires the jurisprudence exam).)
Processing time~5 weeks (the endorsement application form says to allow up to 25 business days (about 5 weeks) to process a complete application. The Board may also take up the file at a meeting, and an application must be complete 15 days before a meeting to be placed on its agenda. Incomplete applications are withdrawn after 60 days.)the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications
Licensing authorityGeorgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists (Secretary of State), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (Arkansas Department of Health), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Arkansas sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm your home-state license is active and unencumbered and that your home state is your primary state of residence.
  2. To work in Arkansas: purchase a Counseling Compact privilege for Arkansas through the compact commission and complete any Arkansas jurisprudence requirement.
  3. Keep your home-state license active — every privilege lapses with it.
  4. If you are moving your primary residence to Arkansas: apply for a Arkansas license with the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (Arkansas Department of Health), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); a privilege does not follow you when your home state changes.

Official links

Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (Arkansas Department of Health), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) ↗Arkansas application ↗Counseling Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Arkansas → GeorgiaCounseling in GeorgiaCounseling in ArkansasAll counseling statesThe Counseling Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Arkansas accept a Georgia counseling license?

Yes, for working in Arkansas — both Georgia and Arkansas are active members of the Counseling Compact. If Georgia is your primary state of residence and your Georgia license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Arkansas without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Arkansas, you will need a Arkansas license once Arkansas becomes your home state.

Do I retake the NCE or NCMHCE moving from Georgia to Arkansas?

National exam is not retaken: counselor applicants need a passing NCE or NCMHCE, and the Board may waive the NCE/NCMHCE when it finds another exam equivalent or the applicant meets the licensure-by-endorsement rule (17 CAR 75-901(b)(4)). The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling Jurisprudence Exam, administered through NBCC, IS required of all applicants except uniformed-service applicants under 17 CAR 75-904.

What does the move cost?

To work in Arkansas while living in Georgia: a $30 commission fee plus Arkansas's state privilege fee, paid in CompactConnect. To relocate and take an Arkansas license: $100 (initial LPC application fee per 17 CAR 75-1301(a)(1) (2026 Rule Revision). The Board may waive it for applicants on public assistance, recently approved for unemployment, or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Separate fees: $250 LPC license fee (75-1302, first fee prorated), jurisprudence exam fee paid to NBCC, and background-check fees. NOT the Counseling Compact privilege fee (Arkansas charges $50 + $30 commission admin fee = $80 for a privilege, and requires the jurisprudence exam).)

How long will it take?

A privilege can issue once CompactConnect confirms your eligibility and any Arkansas jurisprudence requirement is done, usually well ahead of a license. A Arkansas license for a relocation: the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications.

Can I see Arkansas clients by telehealth while living in Georgia?

Yes, on an Arkansas privilege. It covers telehealth and in-person counseling with clients located in Arkansas, as long as your Georgia license stays active and unencumbered and Georgia remains your primary residence.

If I move from Georgia to Arkansas, does my privilege keep me covered?

No. A privilege is for practice away from your home state, not for moving. Once you relocate, Arkansas is your home state and you need an Arkansas license. Because both states are compact members, Arkansas verifies you through the compact's data system, and you complete its background checks and any jurisprudence requirement.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-27.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-09-27

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]