TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF COUNSELING

Action Withdrawn

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling (amending 18VAC115-20-10, 18VAC115-20-40, 18VAC115-20-45, 18VAC115-20-51, 18VAC115-20-52, 18VAC115-20-106 through 18VAC115-20-140).

18VAC115-50. Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy (amending 18VAC115-50-10, 18VAC115-50-20, 18VAC115-50-40, 18VAC115-50-55, 18VAC115-50-60, 18VAC115-50-70, 18VAC115-50-96 through 18VAC115-50-120).

18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners (amending 18VAC115-60-10, 18VAC115-60-20, 18VAC115-60-40 through 18VAC115-60-90, 18VAC115-60-116 through 18VAC115-60-140).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

The Virginia Board of Counseling has WITHDRAWN the regulatory action for 18VAC115-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling; 18VAC115-50, Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy; and 18VAC115-60, Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners, which was published as a Proposed Regulation in 38:12 VA.R. 1455-1485 January 31, 2022. The purpose of the proposed action was to implement the results of a periodic review and included updating regulations, clarifying language, achieving consistency among requirements for licensees, and facilitating obtaining a license by examination or by endorsement. Additional standards of practice and grounds for disciplinary action were considered for amendment for consistency with other behavioral health professional regulations. Amendments specific to 18VAC115-50 and 18VAC115-60 included elimination of the waiver of a licensing examination in marriage and family therapy or substance abuse treatment for counselors who wanted to obtain those specialized licenses. The board withdrew the action on August 2, 2024, due to intervening legislation, Chapter 431 of the 2024 Acts of Assembly, and because the changes have been pending since the 2018 periodic review.

Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4406, FAX (804) 527-4435, or email jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.