The Easy Score
How easy is it to get mental health care in your state?
Most people assume therapy access is about supply — not enough therapists. But the bigger barrier is often invisible: state licensing laws that block providers from practicing across state lines, slow credentialing that keeps therapists from seeing patients for months, and telehealth rules that vary wildly from state to state.
What makes this different
Most state rankings focus on provider-to-population ratios. The Easy Score measures something else entirely: whether your state's rules help or hurt your ability to find and keep a therapist.
Portability, not just supply
Can a therapist from another state treat you? Can your therapist follow you if you move? We measure whether state lines block care.
Speed, not just availability
How long does it take a qualified therapist to get licensed in your state? Some states take weeks. Others take over 90 days.
Cost to practice
High licensing fees and extra requirements create barriers for providers — which means fewer therapists available to you.
Telehealth reality
Does your state allow full telehealth parity? Can therapists practice independently? Are there supervision rules that limit access?
How we score each state
1
Find a Therapist
We check compact participation and out-of-state practice rights. Can providers from other states legally treat you? 12 points.
2
Wait Times
We measure processing speed, practice-while-pending rules, and application complexity. 8 points.
3
Costs
We evaluate licensing fees and whether affordable entry pathways exist for new providers. 5 points.
4
Quality & Access
We assess telehealth parity, scope of practice, and ongoing supervision requirements. 10 points.
Find your state below
Search, sort, and filter all 51 jurisdictions
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Easy Score
How Easy Is It to Get Mental Health Care Online in Each State?
Easy Score v2.0 | 35-Point FrameworkEasy Score Categories (35 Points Total)
🌐 Find a Therapist (12 pts)
Compacts: Can you see therapists from other states?Out-of-State: Can therapists from other states practice here?
⚡ Wait Times (8 pts)
Processing: How long until new therapists can practice?Practice Pending: Can therapists start working while licensed?App Complexity: How hard is it to get licensed?
💰 Costs (5 pts)
Licensing Fees: How expensive is it to become a therapist?Pathways: Are there affordable entry routes?
🩺 Quality & Access (10 pts)
Telehealth: Can you see your therapist online?Scope: Can therapists practice independently?Supervision: Are there ongoing requirements?
A
B
C
D
F
| Rank | State | Score | Grade | Category Breakdown |
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