Credentialing by state / New Hampshire
Therapist Credentialing in New Hampshire
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
New Hampshire belongs to all three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Manchester, Nashua and Concord can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: New Hampshire Medicaid, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since July 1, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, privileges not yet issued |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Member, not yet operational |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | National Government Services, jurisdiction JK |
| Medicaid | New Hampshire Medicaid, 3 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | 30 days (RSA 420-J:4) |
Licensure Compacts in New Hampshire
PSYPACT for psychologists
New Hampshire's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2020. A psychologist whose home state is New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Maine and Vermont also participate; Massachusetts does not, so telepsychology with clients located there still needs that state's own license.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Its neighbors Maine and Vermont are in the same position: enacted, not yet live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
New Hampshire is one of the 33 jurisdictions listed as members of the Social Work Licensure Compact. 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire by National Government Services; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for New Hampshire practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
New Hampshire Medicaid and Its Plans
New Hampshire Medicaid enrollment is filed with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services through the NH MMIS provider portal (Conduent). 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:
- WellSense Health Plan: 72,612 members, owned by Boston Medical Center Health Plan
- New Hampshire Healthy Families: 69,519 members, owned by Centene
- AmeriHealth Caritas of New Hampshire: 39,545 members, owned by Independence Health Group
New Hampshire Rules for Commercial Plans
New Hampshire law gives commercial plans 30 days to decide, counted from a clean and complete application for primary care and mental health providers (45 days for specialists) (RSA 420-J:4).
Neighboring States
- Massachusetts: PSYPACT no; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
- Maine: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Vermont: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; 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 New Hampshire.
Questions New Hampshire Therapists Ask
Can a New Hampshire LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire a PSYPACT state?
Yes. New Hampshire's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2020. New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire therapist join New Hampshire Medicaid?
Enroll with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services through the NH MMIS provider portal (Conduent). New Hampshire Medicaid enrolls 181,676 people across 3 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as WellSense Health Plan, New Hampshire Healthy Families, AmeriHealth Caritas of New Hampshire, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can New Hampshire LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in New Hampshire enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by National Government Services, 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; New Hampshire statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the New Hampshire licensing board before relying on it.