Behavioral health providers and nonclinical health professionals serve people who seek help for a variety of mental health and substance use disorder needs, in a variety of settings from prevention programs to community-based and inpatient treatment programs. There are many types of behavioral health providers and other health professionals, ranging from peer support specialists to psychiatrists, that support people with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
The links to the right lead to maps showing a comparison of all states and territories for the following practitioners and policy areas:
1. Prior authorization requirements for providers prescribing buprenorphine-containing products (shown below).
2. Addiction counselor credentialing.
3. Licensed professional counselors’ ability to diagnose.
4. Peer support specialist certification.
Choose a tab to explore different options. For more detailed information, please click on a state or territory.
Behavioral Health Providers:
Licensed Professional Counselor Ability to Diagnose
Mobile users can use this dropdown of states if the map is too small.
LEGEND
- Diagnostic ability outlined in statute
- Diagnostic ability not outlined in statute
- Diagnostic ability not allowed in state
- No data currently available
Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and other non-physician mental health professionals provide most mental health services in the U.S., often working in community-based settings where psychiatrist shortages exist. In some states, LPCs are referred to as licensed mental health counselors. LPCs are typically master’s-degree mental health service providers, but may also hold a doctoral degree.
Licensed professional counselors’ authority to diagnose patients’ mental illness varies by state statute. Diagnosis is often important for further developing effective patient treatment plans based on individual needs. Without diagnostic ability, LPCs often must refer patients to other licensed professionals with authority to diagnose mental disorders (e.g., psychiatrists).
Policy areas for Behavioral Health Providers
Prior Authorization Requirements For Providers Prescribing Buprenorphine-Containing Products
Education Required for Addiction Counselor Credentialing
Licensed Professional Counselor Ability to Diagnose
Peer Support Specialist Certification or Credentialing Authority
Practitioner Scope of Practice
- Behavioral Health Providers
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- Optometrists
- Oral Health Providers
- Pharmacists
- Physician Assistants