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 18VAC115-30, Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling Assistants. The purpose of the proposed action is to (i) clarify certain provisions, (ii) add more specific requirements for supervised practice to better ensure accountability and quality in the experience, (iii) add time limits for completion of experience to avoid perpetual supervisees who may continue to practice without passage of an examination and completion of certification, (iv) add requirements for continuing education as a requisite for renewal to ensure on-going competency to practice, and (v) place additional standards of practice in regulation to address issues the board has seen in complaints and disciplinary proceedings and for consistency with other professions in behavioral health.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: February 22, 2017.

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