2025 Counseling Advocacy Update

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American Counseling Association, Advocacy in Action
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2025 was a year full of incredible advocacy wins thanks to your hard work. Read on to see the achievements at the federal and state levels as a result of your dedication to advocating for the counseling profession!

Federal Updates

Proposed Changes to Federal Student Loan Caps

The Department of Education (ED) is considering significant reductions to federal student loan limits. This proposed change would be particularly challenging for students in programs not considered “professional” by ED, which includes master’s level counseling programs. This change could push many students toward expensive private lending and discourage future counselors from entering the profession. Learn more.

We will submit comments about these proposed changes to ED during the public comment period, which is anticipated to begin in early 2026.

You can act now — share how student loans supported your journey to becoming a licensed professional counselor and how the proposed loan limits would negatively impact future students’ educational and professional trajectories.

Medicare Providers — Counselors are Eligible!

Counselors can now apply to be a Medicare provider. Learn more.
FEDERAL WINS

  • Created 37 new articles and resources for members to enhance engagement and provide timely policy guidance.
  • Engaged in more than 100 congressional meetings to advocate for our key legislative priorities.
  • Endorsed 11 pieces of legislation and signed seven national coalition letters.
  • More than 100 counselor advocates traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend Hill Day, where we advanced our federal advocacy efforts. Attendees met with 95 Members of Congress or their staff, spanning over 17% of all Congressional offices and around 35% of the Senate.
  • Filed two amicus briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court in the cases of Mahmoud v. Taylor and Chiles v. Salazar.
GRASSROOTS WINS
Federal Action Alert Participation by State as of Dec. 1.
  • Revamped the Take Action Center to better serve our members.
  • ACA Advocates wrote more than 8,500 letters to legislators, made over 175 phone calls, submitted more than 150 comments on regulations and submitted over 210 advocacy stories, which is a 310% increase in engagement compared to 2024.
  • The most active states were New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Virginia.
  • The most popular campaigns urged Congress to support Medicaid, to restore counselor access to grant funding, to support the LGBTQ+ youth mental health lifeline and to oppose conversion therapy.
State Updates

Counseling Compact

Did you know you can follow the work of the Counseling Compact Commission (CCC), such as their meetings and updates on the Compact? All CCC meetings and minutes are open to the public. Learn more about the Compact rollout for your state.

You can also find information on fees, jurisprudence exams and state-specific contact information.

COUNSELING COMPACT WINS

  • Nevada became the 38th state and 39th jurisdiction to join the Counseling Compact when Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 163 in June.
  • Arizona and Minnesota became the first states to start issuing privileges to practice across state lines in September.
  • Counseling Compact legislation was introduced in nine states.

Connect with Other Advocates at Advocacy Power Hour

Advocacy Power Hour (APH) connects advocacy leaders and interested members with our team to discuss state policy updates, advocacy strategies at the state level and our national policy agenda.

The next APH is Thursday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. ET.

Register for the next APH.

STATE WINS

  • Hosted the second annual Spotlight on States event during Advocates in Action Month, providing an overview of state legislation and advocacy throughout the year. This event featured 18 speakers and attracted over 110 registrants interested in state-level advocacy and legislative engagement.
  • APH continues to grow. Since implementing a new registration system, APH registration has jumped to as high as 81 registrants per meeting.

Get Involved

Are you ready to advocate for the counseling profession? Here are steps to kickstart your advocacy journey:

Please note that trainings are an exclusive benefit for ACA members only.
ACA actively works on legislative and public policy issues that matter to our members. Priorities include Medicare reimbursement for counselors, the Counseling Compact and increased funding for mental health care.