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. The purpose of the proposed action is to recognize hours acquired in accredited doctoral programs as meeting a portion of the hours of supervised practice required for licensure. The board voted to initiate a regulatory action in response to a petition for rulemaking requesting acceptance of supervised practicum and internship hours in a doctoral program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The board will determine the specific number of hours to be credited towards completion of a supervised residency and qualification for those hours following receipt of comment on this notice.

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

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

Public Comment Deadline: October 4, 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.