Professional organizations integrated the importance of professional identity in training, higher education, and professional development (CACREP, 2009). Eventually, some state licensing boards began to require a counselor identity that was based on CACREP standards for individuals to become licensed professional counselors.

The American Counseling Association (ACA) and affiliated organizations such as the National Board of Certified Counselors and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) made a commitment to unify counselors in a shared professional identity