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; 18VAC115-50, 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 implement Chapter 428 of the 2019 Acts of Assembly and provide for the issuance of a temporary license for a residency in counseling. The amendments (i) set fees for initial and renewal of a resident license, (ii) establish qualifications for the issuance of a license and for its renewal, (iii) limit the number of times a resident may renew the temporary license, and (iv) set a time limit for passage of the licensing examination for professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and substance abuse treatment practitioners.

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: January 22, 2020.

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.