Credentialing by state / Georgia
Therapist Credentialing in Georgia
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Georgia belongs to all three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Georgia Medicaid, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since July 1, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, issuing privileges since June 2, 2026 |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Member, not yet operational |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Palmetto GBA, jurisdiction JJ |
| Medicaid | Georgia Medicaid, 3 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in Georgia
PSYPACT for psychologists
Georgia's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2020. A psychologist whose home state is Georgia 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 Georgia license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Georgia is one of the 40 jurisdictions that have passed the Counseling Compact, and it is live: the Commission began issuing privileges for Georgia on June 2, 2026, making it the fifth state to go live. A counselor whose home state is Georgia can apply through CompactConnect for a privilege to practice in another live state; as of October 2026 those are Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Arkansas, Wyoming, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Tennessee, on Georgia's border, is among them.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Georgia is one of the 33 jurisdictions listed as members of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Georgia enacted it in May 2024 (SB 195). The compact will offer a multistate license rather than a per-state privilege, but the Commission's July 2026 update says multistate licenses are not yet available and puts completion of the data system at spring 2027, so Georgia LCSWs still need each state's license today.
Compacts Grant a License Route, Not a Network Seat
A compact privilege is permission to practice; it is not enrollment. A Georgia 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 Georgia LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Georgia 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 Georgia by Palmetto GBA; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Georgia practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Georgia Medicaid and Its Plans
Georgia Medicaid enrollment is filed with the Georgia Department of Community Health through the GAMMIS provider portal (Gainwell). 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:
- Peach State Health Plan: 729,962 members, owned by Centene
- Amerigroup Community Care: 485,998 members, owned by Elevance Health
- CareSource Georgia: 378,135 members, owned by CareSource
Neighboring States
- Alabama: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Florida: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact no
- North Carolina: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- South Carolina: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact unsettled
- Tennessee: 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 Georgia.
Questions Georgia Therapists Ask
Can a Georgia LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Yes, if Georgia is your home state: Georgia has been issuing Counseling Compact privileges since June 2, 2026, and privileges can be requested for the other live states (AZ, MN, OH, LA, IN, AR, WY, TN and OK). For any other state you need that state's license.
Is Georgia a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Georgia's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2020. Georgia 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 Georgia therapist join Georgia Medicaid?
Enroll with the Georgia Department of Community Health through the GAMMIS provider portal (Gainwell). Georgia Medicaid enrolls 1,594,095 people across 3 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Peach State Health Plan, Amerigroup Community Care, CareSource Georgia, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Georgia LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Georgia enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Palmetto GBA, 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; Georgia statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Georgia licensing board before relying on it.