TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF COUNSELING

Notice of Intended Regulatory Action

Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Counseling intends to consider amending 18VAC115-20, Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling, 18VAC115-30, Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling Assistants, 18VAC115-50, Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy, and 18VAC115-60, Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners. The purpose of the proposed action is to remove from the regulations (i) the definition for "conversion therapy" and (ii) references to care providers participating in conversion therapy of a minor. Section 54.1-2409.5 of the Code of Virginia defines "conversion therapy" and prohibits any person licensed by a board within the Department of Health Professions from engaging in conversion therapy with a person younger than 18 years of age, which makes the regulatory text unnecessary.

The agency does not intend to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3305 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: April 8, 2026.

Agency Contact: Matt Novak, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 914-0907, or email matthew.novak@dhp.virginia.gov.