Law & Ethics: Practicing Across State Lines
Telehealth lets you follow your clients almost anywhere. That freedom brings real legal and ethical questions counselors did not have to answer a decade ago, and this course gives you clear, practical footing for all of them.
Across two focused modules, you will learn where care is legally considered to happen, how the Counseling Compact lets you practice across participating states, and how to tell the difference between a state that has enacted the Compact and one that is actually issuing the privilege. You will build a telehealth informed-consent process that names benefits, limitations, platform security, technology-failure plans, and identity and location. Then you will take on the moment telehealth counselors worry about most, a client in crisis who is not in the room, with remote risk assessment, the legal terrain of interstate crisis, and collaborative safety planning that the research shows works at a distance.
Every concept ends in something you can use in your own caseload, from a cross-state pre-flight checklist to a remote safety plan you build with the client. The course stays grounded in the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics and the 2023 NBCC Code of Ethics, with the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies threaded throughout so access and advocacy stay in view.
What you will be able to do
Explain why the client's physical location determines which state's laws and licensure apply, and use the Counseling Compact appropriately. Construct a telehealth-specific informed-consent process. Conduct remote risk assessment and build a collaborative safety and contingency plan for a client located elsewhere. Recognize the legal issues in interstate crisis response, including duty to warn and involuntary commitment. And hold equity and access as an advocacy lens throughout.
Who it is for
Licensed counselors, BC-TMH providers, and anyone delivering or preparing to deliver telemental health across state lines.
What is included
Two teaching videos with a companion deep-dive podcast for each, two required Key Concepts readings plus a research-to-practice guide, optional practice worksheets, a Kahoot review in each module, and a 15-question post-test. A passing score of 80 percent earns your certificate of completion.
Continuing education credit
This course provides 2.0 NBCC contact hours and is approved for BC-TMH continuing education. Counselor Education Collective is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #6549. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Counselor Education Collective is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Enroll today and practice across state lines with both care and confidence.
