What to know about doing telehealth in a different state (2024)

1. My patient will be temporarily visiting another state (e.g., for vacation, business, or a family visit). Can I provide services to that patient via telehealth while they are out of state?

2. My patient moved to another state permanently. Can I continue to provide services to that patient via telehealth?

The interstate practice rules that we discuss in this FAQ apply whether your patient is out of state temporarily or permanently. The clinical issues, however, may be different. If a patient is moving permanently out of state, they may benefit from transitioning their care to a psychologist in their new state of residence.

3. Can I continue to provide services to a patient who is either temporarily or permanently in another country?

You should be licensed or legally permitted to practice both where you and where your patient are located, including internationally. It can be challenging, however, to determine the licensing laws (if any) in some foreign countries. Checking with the relevant national psychology association is a good place to start. Clinical issues and patient welfare should also be considered. For example, will the time difference make treatment inconvenient? Will cultural issues be an important factor? Are there skilled therapists in the country where the patient is living? What are the local resources available if the patient were to be in crisis and need emergency services? In addition, there may be specific patient data privacy requirements that must be followed in that country.

4. A patient who lives in another state wants to initiate treatment with me via telehealth. Can I provide treatment to that patient? What if I have special expertise that they cannot access in their area?

Most states do not have a specific requirement that care must be initiated in person or must be initiated in the same state where their psychologist is located. Your expertise may be an important clinical reason for initiating treatment with a patient in another state. However, practitioners should consider the patient’s best interests. If appropriate services are available, a patient may benefit from working with a local psychologist who would be able to provide in-person care.

5. I will be temporarily out of state (e.g., for vacation, business, or a family visit). Can I provide services to my patients who are still in my home state via telehealth?

You should be licensed or legally permitted to practice both where you and where your patient are physically located when services are provided because you are arguably practicing psychology in both of those places. Most states clearly consider you to be practicing psychology where the patient is located. Some states also consider you to be practicing psychology where you are located. Please check with the relevant state’s board of psychology to find out its rules in this situation.

6. I will be moving permanently from state A to state B. Can I continue to work via telehealth with patients in state A when I am living in state B?

As mentioned in question number 5, you could be considered to be practicing psychology in the place where you are located, even if your patients are in a different state. If you are permanently living in a new state, it will likely be worthwhile to get licensed in that state. Licensure in your new state gives you clear authority to practice there. It also allows you to treat patients who live in your new state.

7. Can trainees provide telehealth services across state lines?

Typically, no. Temporary practice laws generally require you to have a license to practice psychology in another state.

8. Are the rules different during the COVID-19 public health emergency?

Some states have temporarily relaxed their rules about interstate practice during the pandemic. Like the temporary practice laws mentioned in the answer to the first question, temporary waivers vary by state. For information, please check our telehealth guidance by state during COVID-19 and confirm current rules with the relevant board of psychology.

9. My state adopted PSYPACT. Can I provide services to patients who are out of state?

The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) is a multi-state licensing compact allowing a psychologist licensed in a state that has joined PSYPACT to provide telepsychological services or temporary in-person services to patients in other PSYPACT states. A licensed psychologist in a PSYPACT state would need to obtain authority to practice through the compact by either applying for an E.Passport for telepsychology practice or an Interjurisdictional Practice Certification (IPC) for temporary, in-person practice. The psychologist would also need to abide by the regulations set by the PSYPACT Commission. Information about how to apply for authority to practice under PSYPACT and PSYPACT Commission rules for practice are available on the PSYPACT “About Us” website.

10. My state has not adopted PSYPACT. Can I provide services to a patient who is in a PSYPACT state?

PSYPACT facilitates interstate practice among those states that have joined the compact. Therefore, both the psychologist and the patient have to be in PSYPACT states for the psychologist to be able to provide services through PSYPACT. Otherwise, the psychologist will need to comply with the other state’s temporary practice law, if any.

11. What if it’s an emergency?

If a patient contacts you with a clinical emergency, your professional and ethical duties to protect the patient from harm are paramount. Prompt action to address the emergency comes first. Reasonable steps to comply with jurisdictional rules should then be taken as appropriate.

12. How risky is practice across state lines?

The risks of engaging in temporary interstate practice may be low, especially when such services are brief and are clinically indicated such as when an ongoing patient who is temporarily located out of state requests a telehealth session. However, if there is a complaint and you have not complied with the relevant interstate practice rules, you could be accused of practicing psychology without a license. It is recommended that you consult with your professional liability company about risk management guidance.