Here’s How Cross-State Licensing Works at Charlie Health
3 min.
Two therapists share how they got licensed in multiple states while working at Charlie Health.
By: Charlie Health Editorial Team
Clinically Reviewed By: Don Gasparini Ph.D., M.A., CASAC
January 22, 2024
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During the COVID-19 public health emergency, states temporarily waived licensing requirements, allowing mental healthcare providers to practice in areas they weren’t licensed. This leniency, though, has now been largely rolled back, limiting where providers can offer teletherapy without obtaining cross-state licensure—a long and arduous process.
At Charlie Health, we support full-time clinicians in receiving cross-state licensure. To make the process easier, we even handle all the paperwork and pay for it. Keep reading to learn how cross-state licensure works at Charlie Health, according to two clinicians who’ve been licensed in multiple states while working here.
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How cross-state licensure works at Charlie Health
As a telehealth company operating in states across the country, cross-state licensing is a crucial part of our work, enabling us to reach more people in more places. That’s why we’re dedicated to supporting full-time clinicians in obtaining cross-state licensure.
“As soon as I became fully licensed in the state I live in, Charlie Health started working on cross-licensing me in different states,” said Primary Therapist Elizabeth Garcia, LCSW, who has already obtained cross-state licensure in one state and is working on five others with the help of Charlie Health.
The process of getting cross-licensed independently is not easy. It may involve passing background checks, meeting education and supervision requirements, and verifying other personal and professional information, according to the Health Resources and Service Administration. On top of that, wait times can be months at a time.
Cross-state licensure process at Charlie Health
Independent cross-state licensure process
Once a full-time clinician is fully licensed in their state of residence, Charlie Health coordinates cross-licensing processes for them and pays for the licensure.
A fully licensed clinician may have to pass background checks, meet education and supervision requirements, and verify other personal and professional information before paying for cross-state licensure.
“If I was in charge of getting licensed in other states, I would probably never do it,” said Primary Therapist Gini Billingsley, LPC, who received cross-licensure in several states while at Charlie Health. “It would have been too much paperwork to worry about on my own, but Charlie Health does everything for you, and you just have to follow the steps.”
At Charlie Health, the process is easy. Once a full-time clinician is fully licensed in their state of residence, Charlie Health works to coordinate cross-licensing processes for them, reducing associated delays and costs. “Charlie Health takes care of the paperwork, and I’ll just get an email here and there asking for my birth certificate or signature,” explains Garcia. “Getting cross-licensed is very tedious, but Charlie Health handles the backend, which is amazing.”
“If I was in charge of getting licensed in other states, I would probably never do it. Charlie Health does everything for you, and you just have to follow the steps.”
—Gini Billingsley, LPC, Primary Therapist
The benefits of cross-state licensure
Cross-state licensing is one of the benefits Charlie Health clinicians raved about when asked what they love most about their work. In addition to being an easy process, it opens up professional opportunities.
At Charlie Health, cross-state licensing enables clinicians to see more clients, including those living outside their state of residence. Billingsley likes to keep her treatment schedule full, and being cross-licensed ensures that if her home state ever slows down, she can fill her schedule with clients from other places.
Being licensed in multiple states is also good for professional development. “It makes you more marketable,” explains Garcia, noting that it’s one of many growth opportunities offered at Charlie Health in addition to clinical development training, free continuing education credits, and more.
Join Charlie Health’s Clinical Team
If you’re passionate about making an impact on the national mental health crisis and are motivated by a desire to learn and grow, apply to join the Charlie Health team today. We have nationwide openings for clinicians across the spectrum of licensure and offer flexible scheduling, fully remote work, and other competitive benefits. Together, we can provide the world with life-saving mental healthcare.
