Credentialing by state / Florida
Therapist Credentialing in Florida
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Florida belongs to PSYPACT and the Counseling Compact, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Florida Medicaid, Florida Blue and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since July 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, privileges not yet issued |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Not a member |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | First Coast Service Options, jurisdiction JN |
| Medicaid | Florida Medicaid, 10 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in Florida
PSYPACT for psychologists
Florida's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2023. A psychologist whose home state is Florida can apply through ASPPB for the E.Passport, which supports the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), and for the IPC, which supports temporary in-person practice (TAP) in other PSYPACT states. Both depend on holding an unrestricted Florida license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Alabama and Georgia also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Florida has passed the Counseling Compact, but as of October 2026 it is not one of the 10 states issuing privileges, so membership does not yet let a counselor practice across the Florida line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Next door, Georgia is already live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Florida is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in the 33 member jurisdictions, multistate licenses are not yet available, so for Florida LCSWs the practical rule is unchanged: a license in each state where clients are located.
Compacts Grant a License Route, Not a Network Seat
A compact privilege is permission to practice; it is not enrollment. A Florida therapist who adds clients in another state through a compact still needs that state's Medicaid enrollment, a practice location the plans accept there, and a separate application to each commercial plan or behavioral health network in that state. CAQH (DataSpring) carries the extra license or privilege, but every payer decides on its own timeline.
Medicare for Florida LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Florida LPC qualifies as a mental health counselor when the license and degree meet the federal definition. Enrollment is the CMS-855I in PECOS, reviewed for Florida by First Coast Service Options; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Florida practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Florida Medicaid and Its Plans
Florida Medicaid enrollment is filed with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) through the Florida Medicaid Provider Enrollment Wizard. Most members are in managed care, and each plan credentials therapists as its own application once the state enrollment is active. The largest by 2024 enrollment:
- Sunshine State Health Plan: 1,197,452 members, owned by Centene
- Simply Healthcare Plans: 550,076 members, owned by Elevance Health
- Humana Medical Plan: 547,549 members, owned by Humana
See all 10 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Neighboring States
- Alabama: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Georgia: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact enacted
The full checklist, the carve-out networks and timelines are in our therapist credentialing guide; Medicare, Medicaid and commercial basics for every clinician type are on credentialing in Florida.
Questions Florida Therapists Ask
Can a Florida LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. Florida has passed the Counseling Compact but is not issuing privileges as of October 2026, so a license in the client's state is still required. Either way, each payer in that state needs its own enrollment.
Is Florida a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Florida's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2023. Florida psychologists can practice telepsychology into other participating states under APIT once ASPPB issues the E.Passport, but each payer still credentials them per state.
How does a Florida therapist join Florida Medicaid?
Enroll with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) through the Florida Medicaid Provider Enrollment Wizard. Florida Medicaid enrolls 3,050,800 people across 10 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Sunshine State Health Plan, Simply Healthcare Plans, Humana Medical Plan, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Florida LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Florida enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by First Coast Service Options, and Medicare pays them 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. They need 2 years or 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience.
Answers cover PECS services, prices and process. For legal, tax or clinical questions please consult a professional.
Sources: PSYPACT Commission, participating states map and legislation table; Counseling Compact Commission, member states and news and go-live announcements; Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, member jurisdictions and news and status updates; CMS, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors; KFF, Medicaid MCO Enrollment by Plan and Parent Firm, 2024; Florida statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Florida licensing board before relying on it.