Credentialing by state / Vermont
Therapist Credentialing in Vermont
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Vermont belongs to all three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Burlington, Rutland and Montpelier can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since July 1, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 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 | Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care), mostly fee-for-service |
| Commercial decision deadline | 60 days (18 V.S.A. § 9408a(f)) |
Licensure Compacts in Vermont
PSYPACT for psychologists
Vermont's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2024, making it one of the newer of the 43 participating jurisdictions. A psychologist whose home state is Vermont 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 Vermont license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, New Hampshire also participates; Massachusetts and New York do not, so telepsychology with clients located there still needs that state's own license.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Vermont 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 Vermont line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Its neighbors New Hampshire are in the same position: enacted, not yet live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Vermont 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 Vermont by National Government Services; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Vermont practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care) and Its Plans
Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care) enrollment is filed with the Vermont Department of Vermont Health Access through the Vermont Medicaid provider portal (Gainwell). Vermont runs most Medicaid as fee-for-service, so the state enrollment is the Medicaid application for a Vermont therapy practice.
Vermont Rules for Commercial Plans
Vermont law gives commercial plans 60 days to decide, counted from a completed application, with a deficiency notice within 30 business days (18 V.S.A. § 9408a(f)). The CAQH application or a similar form prescribed by the Commissioner. (18 V.S.A. § 9408a(b))
Neighboring States
- Massachusetts: PSYPACT no; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
- New Hampshire: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- New York: PSYPACT no; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
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 Vermont.
Questions Vermont Therapists Ask
Can a Vermont LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. Vermont 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 Vermont a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Vermont's PSYPACT law took effect on July 1, 2024. Vermont 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 Vermont therapist join Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care)?
Enroll with the Vermont Department of Vermont Health Access through the Vermont Medicaid provider portal (Gainwell). Vermont pays most Medicaid claims fee-for-service, so the state enrollment is the main Medicaid step.
Can Vermont LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Vermont 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; Vermont statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Vermont licensing board before relying on it.