Credentialing by state / Washington, DC
Therapist Credentialing in Washington, DC
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Washington, DC belongs to PSYPACT and the Counseling Compact, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in the District and its Maryland and Virginia suburbs can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: DC Medicaid, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since April 2, 2021 |
|---|---|
| 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 | Novitas Solutions, jurisdiction JL |
| Medicaid | DC Medicaid, 5 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | None found in state law |
Licensure Compacts in Washington, DC
PSYPACT for psychologists
Washington, DC's PSYPACT law took effect on April 2, 2021. A psychologist whose home state is Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Maryland and Virginia also participate, so a border practice can reach every adjoining state under APIT once the E.Passport is issued.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live. Its neighbors Maryland and Virginia are in the same position: enacted, not yet live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Washington, DC is not a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in the 33 member jurisdictions, multistate licenses are not yet available, so for Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC by Novitas Solutions; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Washington, DC practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
DC Medicaid and Its Plans
DC Medicaid enrollment is filed with the DC Department of Health Care Finance through the DC Medicaid 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:
- AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia: 106,839 members, owned by Independence Health Group
- MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia: 56,860 members, owned by MedStar Health
- Amerigroup District of Columbia: 56,651 members, owned by Elevance Health
See all 5 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Washington, DC Rules for Commercial Plans
Insurers must accept the CAQH application as the sole credentialing and recredentialing application. (D.C. Code § 31-3252)
Neighboring States
- Maryland: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact enacted; Social Work Compact enacted
- Virginia: 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 Washington, DC.
Questions Washington, DC Therapists Ask
Can a Washington, DC LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Washington, DC's PSYPACT law took effect on April 2, 2021. Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC therapist join DC Medicaid?
Enroll with the DC Department of Health Care Finance through the DC Medicaid provider portal (Conduent). DC Medicaid enrolls 238,159 people across 5 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia, Amerigroup District of Columbia, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Washington, DC LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Washington, DC enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Novitas 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; Washington, DC statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Washington, DC licensing board before relying on it.