Can I Provide Teletherapy Across State Lines During the Pandemic?

Last updated March 2, 2021

As of March 2, 2021, there are no federal provisions that allow mental health professionals to practice teletherapy over state lines; you must register or become licensed in your client’s state to provide teletherapy.

However, there have been federal recommendations for states to relax licensure requirements. In March 2020, the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began implementing policies expanding telehealth access and delivery across states. As a result, some states have ordered waivers on certain licensure requirements for the duration of the crisis or beyond.

See below for updates on teletherapy status by state.

Notable examples

Note: Although these changes have been announced, there may be some lag or discrepancy during implementation. Not all states consider mental health providers "healthcare providers" so make sure that your state, or the state you hope to practice in, includes your profession in their definition.

It may also be the case that a client will be required to connect with a local provider after a certain amount of time.

It's always best to stay up-to-date and contact your licensing board if you have any doubts! Some states may relax licensure rules for providers who will go in person to assist in the COVID-19 treatment effort, but these new rules may not apply to telehealth.

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Coronavirus changes to licensure requirements for out-of-state providers

Many thanks to The Shrink Space for this helpful table!

State Medical Health Providers Behavioral Health Providers Citation  State Health Updates Additional Information
Alabama Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page Emergency Services Code
Alaska No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Arizona Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Arkansas No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
California Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Colorado Yes Yes Department of Regulation Affairs Guidance Resource Page
Connecticut Yes Yes Executive Order Resource Page
Delaware Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
District of Columbia Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page Waiver of Licensure
Florida Yes Yes Department of Health Emergency Order Resource Page
Georgia Yes No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Hawaii Yes No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Idaho Yes No Board of Medicine Declaration Resource Page
Illinois No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Indiana Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Iowa Yes No Board of Medicine Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Kansas No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Kentucky Yes No Executive Order Resource Page Medical Licensure Instructions
Louisana Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Maine No No Civil Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Maryland Yes Yes Health Care Executive Order 
Resource Page
Mass-achusetts Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page Emergency Temporary License Application
Michigan No No Executive Order Resource Page
Minnesota No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Mississippi Yes No Emergency Declaration Resource Page Board of Medicine Declaration
Missouri No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Montana No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Nebraska No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Nevada No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
New Hampshire Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
New Jersey Yes Yes Attorney General Guidance Resource Page Emergency Temporary License Application
New Mexico Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
New York Yes No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
North Carolina Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
North Dakota Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page Emergency Services Code
Ohio No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Oklahoma No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Oregon Yes No Emergency Medical License Information Resource Page
Penn-
sylvania
Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Rhode Island No Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page Emergency Temporary License Application
South Carolina Yes No Medical Guidance Resource Page Emergency License Application
South Dakota No No Article re: SD State Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Tennessee Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Texas Yes No Emergency Declaration Resource Page Licensing for Out of State Providers
Utah No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Vermont No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Virginia No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Washington Yes Yes Emergency Declaration Resource Page Emergency Health Practitioner Application
West Virginia No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Wisconsin No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page
Wyoming No No Emergency Declaration Resource Page