Credentialing by state / North Dakota
Therapist Credentialing in North Dakota
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
North Dakota belongs to all three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Fargo, Bismarck and Grand Forks can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: North Dakota Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since August 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| 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 | Noridian Healthcare Solutions, jurisdiction JF |
| Medicaid | North Dakota Medicaid, 1 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in North Dakota
PSYPACT for psychologists
North Dakota's PSYPACT law took effect on August 1, 2023. A psychologist whose home state is North Dakota 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 North Dakota license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
North Dakota 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 North Dakota line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Next door, Minnesota is already live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a North Dakota 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 North Dakota by Noridian Healthcare Solutions; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for North Dakota practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
North Dakota Medicaid and Its Plans
North Dakota Medicaid enrollment is filed with the North Dakota Health and Human Services through the ND Health Enterprise MMIS provider portal. 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:
- North Dakota Medicaid Expansion (Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota): 24,356 members
Neighboring States
- Minnesota: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact live; Social Work Compact enacted
- Montana: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact no
- South Dakota: 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 North Dakota.
Questions North Dakota Therapists Ask
Can a North Dakota LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. North Dakota 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 North Dakota a PSYPACT state?
Yes. North Dakota's PSYPACT law took effect on August 1, 2023. North Dakota 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 North Dakota therapist join North Dakota Medicaid?
Enroll with the North Dakota Health and Human Services through the ND Health Enterprise MMIS provider portal. North Dakota Medicaid enrolls 24,356 people across 1 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as North Dakota Medicaid Expansion (Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota), credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can North Dakota LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in North Dakota enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Noridian Healthcare Solutions, 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. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the North Dakota licensing board before relying on it.