Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling (amending 18VAC115-20-40, 18VAC115-20-45, 18VAC115-20-70, 18VAC115-20-90, 18VAC115-20-100).

18VAC115-30. Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling (amending 18VAC115-30-40, 18VAC115-30-45, 18VAC115-30-110).

18VAC115-40. Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers (amending 18VAC115-40-25, 18VAC115-40-30).

18VAC115-50. Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy (amending 18VAC115-50-30, 18VAC115-50-40, 18VAC115-50-90).

18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners (amending 18VAC115-60-40, 18VAC115-60-50, 18VAC115-60-90, 18VAC115-60-100, 18VAC115-60-110).

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

Effective Date: October 14, 2009.

Agency Contact: Evelyn B. Brown, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4488, FAX (804) 527-4435, or email evelyn.brown@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments facilitate electronic submissions of applications and renewals. References to a contracting agent are deleted since all applications now come directly to the board and requirements for all documents to be submitted in one package are eliminated to allow the application to be submitted electronically by the applicants and other documents (licensure verification, transcripts, exam scores, etc.) to be sent directly from the source. All references to a renewal application are amended to use the term renewal form, since renewal of a license or certificate can now be accomplished online by completion of an electronic form and submission of a fee.

Part II
Requirements for Licensure

18VAC115-20-40. Prerequisites for licensure by examination.

Every applicant for licensure examination by the board shall:

1. Meet the degree program requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-49, the course work requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-50 or 18VAC115-20-51, and the experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-52; and

2. Submit the following to the board or its contracting agent within the time frame established by the board or that agent:

a. A completed application;

b. Official transcripts documenting the applicant's completion of the degree program and coursework requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-49 and 18VAC115-20-50 or 18VAC115-20-51;

c. Verification of Supervision forms documenting fulfillment of the experience requirements of 18VAC115-20-52 and copies of all required evaluation forms;

d. Documentation of any other professional license or certificate ever held in another jurisdiction; and

e. The application processing and initial licensure fee.

18VAC115-20-45. Prerequisites for licensure by endorsement.

A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit in one package the following:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing fee;

3. Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement the applicant shall have no unresolved action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis;

4. Documentation of having completed education and experience requirements as specified in subsection B of this section;

5. Verification of a passing score on a licensure examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained; and

6. An affidavit of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of professional counseling in Virginia.

B. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall meet one of the following:

1. Educational requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-20-49 and 18VAC115-20-51 and experience requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-20-52; or

2. If an applicant does not have educational and experience credentials consistent with those required by this chapter, he shall provide:

a. Documentation of education and supervised experience that met the requirements of the jurisdiction in which he was initially licensed as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials; and

b. Evidence of post-licensure clinical practice for five of the last six years immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia.

3. In lieu of transcripts verifying education and documentation verifying supervised experience, the board may accept verification from the credentials registry of the American Association of State Counseling Boards or any other board-recognized entity.

Part III
Examinations

18VAC115-20-70. General examination requirements; schedules; time limits.

A. Every applicant for initial licensure by examination by the board as a professional counselor shall pass a written examination as prescribed by the board.

B. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall have passed a licensure examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained.

C. The contracting agent shall notify all approved candidates in writing of the time and place of the examination.

D. C. A candidate approved to sit for the examination shall take the examination within two years from the date of such initial approval. If the candidate has not taken the examination by the end of the two-year period here prescribed:

1. The initial approval to sit for the examination shall then become invalid; and

2. In order to be considered for the examination later, the applicant shall file a new application with the board's contracting agent board.

E. D. The board shall establish a passing score on the written examination.

18VAC115-20-90. Reexamination. (Repealed.)

A. After paying the written reexamination fee, a candidate may be reexamined for the written exam within an 18-month period without filing a new application.

B. A candidate who fails the examination two times shall reapply and pay the required application fee as prescribed by the board's contracting agent.

Part IV
Licensure Renewal; Reinstatement

18VAC115-20-100. Annual renewal of licensure.

A. All licensees shall renew licenses on or before June 30 of each year.

B. Beginning with the 2005 renewal, every Every license holder who intends to continue an active practice shall submit to the board on or before June 30 of each year:

1. A completed application form for renewal of the license on which the licensee attests to compliance with the continuing competency requirements prescribed in this chapter; and

2. The renewal fee prescribed in 18VAC115-20-20.

C. A licensee who wishes to place his license in an inactive status may do so upon payment of the inactive renewal fee as established in 18VAC115-20-20. No person shall practice counseling in Virginia unless he holds a current active license. A licensee who has placed himself in inactive status may become active by fulfilling the reactivation requirements set forth in 18VAC115-20-110 C.

D. Licensees shall notify the board of a change in the address of record or the public address, if different from the address of record within 60 days. Failure to receive a renewal notice from the board shall not relieve the license holder from the renewal requirement.

Part II
Requirements for Certification

18VAC115-30-40. Prerequisites for certification by examination for substance abuse counselors.

A. A candidate for certification as a substance abuse counselor shall meet all the requirements of this section, including passing the examination prescribed in 18VAC115-30-90.

B. Every prospective applicant for examination for certification by the board shall:

1. Meet the educational and experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-30-50 and 18VAC115-30-60;

2. Submit the following to the board or its contracting agent within the time frame established by the board or that agent:

a. A completed application form;

b. Official transcript documenting attainment of a bachelor's degree;

c. Official transcripts or certificates verifying completion of the didactic training requirement set forth in subsection B of 18VAC115-30-50;

d. Verification of supervisor's education and experience as required under 18VAC115-30-60;

e. Verification of supervision forms documenting fulfillment of the experience requirements of 18VAC115-30-60;

f. Documentation of any other professional license or certificate ever held in another jurisdiction; and

g. The application processing and initial certification fee.

18VAC115-30-45. Prerequisites for certification by endorsement for substance abuse counselors.

Every applicant for certification by endorsement shall submit in one package:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing fee;

3. Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement, the applicant shall have no unresolved action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis. The board will also determine whether any or all other professional licenses or certificates held in another jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to those sought in Virginia;

4. Affidavit of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of substance abuse counseling in Virginia; and

5. Further documentation of one of the following:

a. Licensure or certification as a substance abuse counselor in another jurisdiction in good standing obtained by standards substantially equivalent to the education and experience requirements set forth in this chapter as verified by a certified copy of the original application submitted directly from the out-of-state licensing agency, or a copy of the regulations in effect at the time of initial licensure or certification and verification of a passing score on a licensure examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure or certification was obtained, and which is deemed substantially equivalent by the board; or

b. Verification of a current certification in good standing issued by NAADAC or other board-recognized national certification in substance abuse counseling obtained by educational and experience standards substantially equivalent to those set forth in this chapter.

Part IV
Renewal and Reinstatement

18VAC115-30-110. Annual renewal of certificate.

A. Every certificate issued by the board shall expire on June 30 of each year.

B. Along with the renewal application form, the certified substance abuse counselor or certified substance abuse counseling assistant shall submit the renewal fee prescribed in 18VAC115-30-30.

C. Certified individuals shall notify the board of a change in the address of record or the public address, if different from the address of record within 60 days. Failure to receive a renewal notice and application forms shall not excuse the certified substance abuse counselor from the renewal requirement.

18VAC115-40-25. Application process.

The applicant shall submit to the executive director of the board at least 90 days prior to the date of the written examination:

1. A completed application form;

2. The official transcript or transcripts in the original sealed envelope submitted from the appropriate institutions of higher education directly to the applicant;

3. Documentation, on the appropriate forms, of the successful completion of the supervised experience requirement of 18VAC115-40-26. Documentation of supervision obtained outside of Virginia must include verification of the supervisor's out-of-state license or certificate; and

4. Documentation of the applicant's national or out-of-state license or certificate in good standing where applicable.

Part IV
Renewal and Reinstatement

18VAC115-40-30. Annual renewal of certificate.

Every certificate issued by the board shall expire on January 31 of each year.

1. To renew certification, the certified rehabilitation provider shall submit a renewal application form and fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-40-20.

2. Failure to receive a renewal notice and application form shall not excuse the certified rehabilitation provider from the renewal requirement.

18VAC115-50-30. Application for licensure by examination.

Every applicant for examination for licensure by the board shall:

1. Meet the education and experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-50-50, 18VAC115-50-55 and 18VAC115-50-60.

2. Submit to the board office in one package, the following items, not less than 90 days prior to the date of the examination:

a. A completed application;

b. The application processing and initial licensure fee prescribed in 18VAC115-50-20;

c. Documentation, on the appropriate forms, of the successful completion of the residency requirements of 18VAC115-50-60 along with documentation of the supervisor's out-of-state license where applicable;

d. Official transcript or transcripts in the original sealed envelope with the registrar's signature across the sealed envelope flap submitted from the appropriate institutions of higher education directly to the applicant, verifying satisfactory completion of the education requirements set forth in 18VAC115-50-50 and 18VAC115-50-55. Previously submitted transcripts for registration of supervision do not have to be resubmitted; and

e. Verification on a board-approved form that any out-of-state license, certification or registration is in good standing.

18VAC115-50-40. Application for licensure by endorsement.

A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit in one package:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing and initial licensure fee prescribed in 18VAC115-50-20; and

3. Documentation of licensure as follows:

a. Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement the applicant shall have no unresolved action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis; and

b. Documentation of a marriage and family therapy license obtained by standards specified in subsection B of this section.

B. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall meet one of the following:

1. Educational requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-50-50 and 18VAC115-50-55 and experience requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-50-60; or

2. If an applicant does not have educational and experience credentials consistent with those required by this chapter, he shall provide:

a. Documentation of education and supervised experience that met the requirements of the jurisdiction in which he was initially licensed as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials; and

b. Evidence of post-licensure clinical practice for five of the last six years immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia.

3. In lieu of transcripts verifying education and documentation verifying supervised experience, the board may accept verification from the credentials registry of the American Association of State Counseling Boards or any other board-recognized entity.

18VAC115-50-90. Annual renewal of license.

A. All licensees shall renew licenses on or before June 30 of each year.

B. Beginning with the 2005 renewal, all All licensees who intend to continue an active practice shall submit to the board on or before June 30 of each year:

1. A completed application form for renewal of the license on which the licensee attests to compliance with the continuing competency requirements prescribed in this chapter; and

2. The renewal fee prescribed in 18VAC115-50-20.

C. A licensee who wishes to place his license in an inactive status may do so upon payment of the inactive renewal fee as established in 18VAC115-50-20. No person shall practice marriage and family therapy in Virginia unless he holds a current active license. A licensee who has placed himself in inactive status may become active by fulfilling the reactivation requirements set forth in 18VAC115-50-100 C.

D. Licensees shall notify the board of a change in the address of record or the public address, if different from the address of record within 60 days. Failure to receive a renewal notice from the board shall not relieve the license holder from the renewal requirement.

Part II
Requirements for Licensure

18VAC115-60-40. Application for licensure by examination.

Every applicant for examination for licensure by the board shall:

1. Meet the degree program, course work and experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60, 18VAC115-60-70 and 18VAC115-60-80; and

2. Submit the following items to the board office in one package not less than 90 days prior to the date of the examination:

a. A completed application;

b. Official transcripts documenting the applicant's completion of the degree program and course work requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60 and 18VAC115-60-70;

c. Verification of supervision forms documenting fulfillment of the experience requirements of 18VAC115-60-80 and copies of all required evaluation forms;

d. Documentation of any other professional license or certificate ever held in another jurisdiction; and

e. The application processing and initial licensure fee.

18VAC115-60-50. Prerequisites for licensure by endorsement.

A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit in one package:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing and initial licensure fee;

3. Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement, the applicant shall have no unresolved disciplinary action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis;

4. Further documentation of one of the following:

a. A current substance abuse treatment license in good standing in another jurisdiction obtained by meeting requirements substantially equivalent to those set forth in this chapter; or

b. A mental health license in good standing in a category acceptable to the board which required completion of a master's degree in mental health to include 60 graduate semester hours in mental health; and

(1) Board-recognized national certification in substance abuse treatment;

(2) If the master's degree was in substance abuse treatment, two years of post-licensure experience in providing substance abuse treatment;

(3) If the master's degree was not in substance abuse treatment, five years of post-licensure experience in substance abuse treatment plus 12 credit hours of didactic training in the substance abuse treatment competencies set forth in 18VAC115-60-70 C; or

(4) Current substance abuse counselor certification in Virginia in good standing or a Virginia substance abuse treatment specialty licensure designation with two years of post-licensure or certification substance abuse treatment experience;

c. Documentation of education and supervised experience that met the requirements of the jurisdiction in which he was initially licensed as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials and evidence of post-licensure clinical practice for five of the last six years immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia.

5. Verification of a passing score on a licensure examination as established by the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained;

6. Official transcripts documenting the applicant's completion of the education requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60 and 18VAC115-60-70; and

7. An affidavit of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of substance abuse treatment in Virginia.

B. In lieu of transcripts verifying education and documentation verifying supervised experience, the board may accept verification from the credentials registry of the American Association of State Counseling Boards or any other board-recognized entity.

Part III
Examinations

18VAC115-60-90. General examination requirements; schedules; time limits.

A. Every applicant for initial licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner by examination shall pass a written examination as prescribed by the board.

B. Every applicant for licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner by endorsement shall have passed an examination deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to the Virginia examination.

C. The board shall notify all approved candidates in writing of the time and place of the examination.

D. C. A candidate approved by the board to sit for the examination shall take the examination within two years from the date of such initial board approval. If the candidate has not taken the examination by the end of the two-year period prescribed in this subsection:

1. The initial board approval to sit for the examination shall then become invalid; and

2. In order to be considered for the examination later, the applicant shall file a complete new application with the board.

D. Applicants who fail the examination twice in succession shall document completion of 45 clock hours of additional education or training acceptable to the board, addressing the areas of deficiency as reported in the examination results prior to obtaining board approval for reexamination.

E. The board shall establish a passing score on the written examination.

18VAC115-60-100. Reexamination. (Repealed.)

A. After paying the examination fee, a candidate may be reexamined within an 18-month period without filing a new application.

B. Applicants who fail the examination twice in succession shall document completion of 45 clock hours of additional education or training acceptable to the board, addressing the areas of deficiency as reported in the examination results prior to obtaining board approval for reexamination.

Part IV
Licensure Renewal; Reinstatement

18VAC115-60-110. Renewal of licensure.

A. All licensees shall renew licenses on or before June 30 of each year.

B. Beginning with the 2005 renewal, every Every license holder who intends to continue an active practice shall submit to the board on or before June 30 of each year:

1. A completed application form for renewal of the license on which the licensee attests to compliance with the continuing competency requirements prescribed in this chapter; and

2. The renewal fee prescribed in 18VAC115-60-20.

C. A licensee who wishes to place his license in an inactive status may do so upon payment of the inactive renewal fee as established in 18VAC115-60-20. No person shall practice substance abuse treatment in Virginia unless he holds a current active license. A licensee who has placed himself in inactive status may become active by fulfilling the reactivation requirements set forth in 18VAC115-60-120 C.

D. Licensees shall notify the board of a change in the address of record or the public address, if different from the address of record within 60 days. Failure to receive a renewal notice from the board shall not relieve the license holder from the renewal requirement.