TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
Titles of Regulations: 18VAC115-20. Regulations
Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling (amending 18VAC115-20-10, 18VAC115-20-20,
18VAC115-20-40, 18VAC115-20-52, 18VAC115-20-70, 18VAC115-20-100).
18VAC115-50. Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage
and Family Therapy (amending 18VAC115-50-10, 18VAC115-50-20, 18VAC115-50-30,
18VAC115-50-60, 18VAC115-50-70, 18VAC115-50-90).
18VAC115-60. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed
Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners (amending 18VAC115-60-10, 18VAC115-60-20,
18VAC115-60-40, 18VAC115-60-80, 18VAC115-60-90, 18VAC115-60-110).
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the
Code of Virginia.
Public Hearing Information:
October 9, 2020 - 10:20 a.m. - WebEx - The link and
instructions to attend the electronic meeting will be in the agenda package
posted prior to the meeting at http://www.dhp.virginia.gov and on the
Virginia Regulatory Town Hall (www.townhall.virginia.gov).
Public Comment Deadline: November 13, 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.
Basis: Regulations are promulgated under the general
authority of § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia, which provides the Board
of Counseling the authority to promulgate regulations to administer the
regulatory system. Specific authority for issuance of a temporary resident
license counseling is found in § 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.
Purpose: The purpose of this action is to ensure persons
who are granted a temporary license for the purpose of completing a residency
in counseling are qualified to provide mental health services to vulnerable
individuals and groups. Qualifications for issuance of a resident license will
ensure minimal competency to begin supervised practice, and requirements for
renewal will ensure that residents have further knowledge of the ethics and
standards of practice governing the behavioral health professions in order to
protect health, safety, and welfare of the citizens they serve.
Substance: Regulations implement the statutory mandate
for issuance of a temporary license for a residency in counseling. The
amendments set fees for initial and renewal of a resident license,
qualifications for the issuance of a license and for its renewal, limitations
on the number of times a resident may renew the temporary license, and a time
limit for passage of the licensing examination.
Issues: The advantage of a resident license to the
public is greater accountability and information about the residency; there are
no disadvantages. There may be an advantage to residents and the licensees or
organizations for whom they work under supervision in that some third-party
payors may reimburse for their services as a "licensed" professional.
The primary advantage to the agency is greater awareness of any
disciplinary history prior to issuance of a license. There are no
disadvantages; fees are established with the intent of covering expenditures
directly related to the licensing and discipline of persons with a resident
license.
Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact
Analysis:
Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. Pursuant to a
legislative mandate, the Board of Counseling (Board) proposes to switch from a
registration approach to a temporary licensing approach for regulating resident
counselors.
Background. Chapter 428 of the 2019 General Assembly1
mandated the Board "to promulgate regulations for the issuance of
temporary licenses to individuals engaged in a counseling residency so that
they may acquire the supervised, postgraduate experience required for
licensure." The Board adopted emergency regulations2 that
established temporary licenses for residency in professional counseling,
marriage and family therapy, and substance abuse treatment to comply with the
mandate. All persons previously registered for supervised practice were grandfathered
with a temporary license. This action replaces the emergency regulations.
Prior to the legislative mandate, counselor candidates under
the three counseling regulations affected by this action registered their
residency (i.e. a postgraduate, supervised clinical experience) with the Board.
Under the new law, resident counselors are issued a temporary license to
complete their residency in counseling. Thus, the main difference is between
issuing a temporary license versus registering the residency with the Board.
However, an important limitation, that is a resident can practice only under
supervision, remains unchanged.
Estimated Benefits and Costs. This action mainly replaces the
registration approach for residents in professional counseling, marriage and
family therapy, and substance abuse treatment with that of a temporary
licensing approach. Having a temporary license rather than having the residency
registered with the Board may encourage some supervisors billing resident's
services to some third-party payors. For example, according to the Department
of Health Professions (DHP), Virginia Medicaid has allowed billing for
resident's services before this change and would continue to do so. Thus, to
the extent reimbursement policies of the payors allow, more supervisors may
start billing for resident services as a "licensed" professional,
possibly at a lower rate than for an independent practitioner. Such a change
may occur if it benefits the supervisor, the payor, and the resident.
The Board also proposes several fee changes. The $30 fee for
adding or changing supervisor or the work site under the registration approach
is replaced with the $30 fee for annual renewal of the temporary license.
According to DHP, on average, a resident used to make two such changes each
year and used to pay a $30 fee for each. Under the new regulation, a one-time
$30 fee for annual renewal of the temporary license would suffice, reducing the
fee burden on residents by one half on average.
A "pre-review of education only" fee of $75 would be
established. According to DHP, the Board gets requests from potential
applicants for a review of a person's educational credentials to see whether
they meet the qualifications for full licensure. Currently, the only way that
can be done is for him to submit an application for licensure (which includes
many other requirements as well). The $75 fee would allow such a review, which
is typically a review of the transcript – course by course – often with request
for a syllabus to determine content and a review of the program itself to
determine its concentration in counseling. If it is determined that the
person's education does not qualify for licensure, he may be able to remedy the
deficiency. If not, he is spared the expense of obtaining the hours of
supervised experience and sitting for the examination. Thus, the
"pre-review of education only" option is expected to benefit the
residents who are interested in applying for a full license when the time
comes, but who does not know whether their educational background would meet
the qualifications for full licensure. The new "pre-review of education
only" option would encourage such applications and may lead to full
licenses being issued sooner.
The Board proposes a new $10 fee for late temporary license
renewal.3 As with any other late fees, this fee would likely promote
timely renewal applications. The $65 fee for application and initial temporary
licensure for a resident is also established, but is not expected to create any
economic effect as this is the current fee for registration of supervision.
The remaining proposed changes are mainly intended to align the
new temporary license requirements with the full license requirements. Of
those, some are slightly more stringent than the current standards. These
include more rigorous background requirements (submission of additional report
from a national practitioner databank at a cost of $4 per report and history of
disciplinary actions which can be obtained without a charge), completion of
three hours of continuing education (can be obtained online at no cost), and
clearer consumer disclosure requirements (that the resident does not have
authority for independent practice and is under supervision). The other
requirements under this category are either comparable or even less stringent
than the current requirements. Those include the establishing time limits to
complete the residency (a resident must pass the exam within six years which is
comparable to currently required four years to complete the residency and two
years to pass the exam), establishing renewal times (annual renewal in the
month of initial issuance), and new elements required for renewal (attestation
that a supervisory contract is in effect as opposed to notifying the Board each
time there is a change). Overall these requirements may introduce a marginal
burden on the applicants in terms of the time to complete the application, but
would also help ensure greater accountability and information about the
residency.
Businesses and Other Entities Affected. When the emergency
regulation became effective, there were 9,156 residents in counseling, 352
residents in marriage and family therapy, and eight residents in substance
abuse treatment all whom were grandfathered with a temporary license.4
Since the Board recently started issuing temporary licenses for residents,
there is not enough history to accurately assess the likely number of
applications on an ongoing basis. However, through March 2020, there were 177,
seven, and two applications respectively for residency in licensed professional
counseling, marriage and family therapy, and substance abuse treatment, but DHP
expects that the majority of application will come after graduation in
May/June.
As noted, some of the changes are beneficial to counselor
candidates and some are slightly more restrictive than before. It is not clear
whether the additional costs would exceed the benefits for the candidates.
Thus, no adverse economic impact5 on counselor candidates is
indicated.
Small Businesses6 Affected. The proposed amendments
do not appear to adversely affect small businesses.
Localities7 Affected.8 The proposed
amendments potentially affect all 132 localities. The proposed amendments do
not introduce costs for local governments. Accordingly, no additional funds
would be required.
Projected Impact on Employment. The proposed amendments do not
appear to directly affect total employment.
Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. The proposed
amendments do not affect real estate development costs.
________________________
1https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?191+ful+CHAP0428
2https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/ViewStage.cfm?stageid=8734
3According to DHP, late fees are set approximately 1/3
of the renewal fee.
4Data source: DHP
5Adverse impact is indicated if there is any increase in
net cost or reduction in net revenue for any entity, even if the benefits
exceed the costs for all entities combined.
6Pursuant to § 2.2-4007.04 of the Code of Virginia,
small business is defined as "a business entity, including its affiliates,
that (i) is independently owned and operated and (ii) employs fewer than 500
full-time employees or has gross annual sales of less than $6 million."
7"Locality" can refer to either local
governments or the locations in the Commonwealth where the activities relevant
to the regulatory change are most likely to occur.
8§ 2.2-4007.04 defines "particularly
affected" as bearing disproportionate material impact.
Agency's Response to Economic Impact Analysis: The Board
of Counseling concurs with the analysis of the Department of Planning and
Budget.
Summary:
The proposed amendments provide for the issuance of a
temporary license for a residency in counseling for professional counselors,
marriage and family therapists, and substance abuse treatment practitioners,
including (i) setting fees for initial and renewal of a resident license, (ii)
establishing qualifications for the issuance of a license and for its renewal,
(iii) limiting the number of times a resident may renew the temporary license,
and (iv) setting a time limit for passage of the licensing examination.
Part I
General Provisions
18VAC115-20-10. Definitions.
A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the meaning ascribed to them in § 54.1-3500 of the Code of
Virginia:
"Board"
"Counseling"
"Professional counselor"
B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
"Ancillary counseling services" means activities
such as case management, recordkeeping, referral, and coordination of services.
"Applicant" means any individual who has submitted
an official application and paid the application fee for licensure as a
professional counselor.
"CACREP" means the Council for Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
"Candidate for licensure" means a person who has
satisfactorily completed all educational and experience requirements for
licensure and has been deemed eligible by the board to sit for its
examinations.
"Clinical counseling
services" means activities such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment
planning, and treatment implementation.
"Competency area"
means an area in which a person possesses knowledge and skill and the ability
to apply them in the clinical setting.
"CORE" means Council on Rehabilitation Education.
"Exempt setting" means an agency or institution in
which licensure is not required to engage in the practice of counseling
according to the conditions set forth in § 54.1-3501 of the Code of
Virginia.
"Face-to-face" means the in-person delivery of clinical
counseling services for a client.
"Group supervision" means the process of clinical
supervision of no more than six persons in a group setting provided by a
qualified supervisor.
"Internship" means a formal academic course from a
regionally accredited college or university in which supervised, practical
experience is obtained in a clinical setting in the application of counseling
principles, methods, and techniques.
"Jurisdiction" means a state, territory, district,
province, or country that has granted a professional certificate or license to
practice a profession, use a professional title, or hold oneself out as a
practitioner of that profession.
"Nonexempt setting" means a setting that does not
meet the conditions of exemption from the requirements of licensure to engage
in the practice of counseling as set forth in § 54.1-3501 of the Code of
Virginia.
"Regional accrediting agency" means one of the
regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education
responsible for accrediting senior postsecondary institutions.
"Residency" means a postgraduate, supervised,
clinical experience registered with the board.
"Resident" means an individual who has submitted
a supervisory contract and has received board approval been issued a temporary
license by the board to provide clinical services in professional
counseling under supervision.
"Supervision" means
the ongoing process performed by a supervisor who monitors the performance of
the person supervised and provides regular, documented individual or group
consultation, guidance, and instruction that is specific to the clinical
counseling services being performed with respect to the clinical skills and
competencies of the person supervised.
"Supervisory contract" means an agreement that
outlines the expectations and responsibilities of the supervisor and resident
in accordance with regulations of the board.
18VAC115-20-20. Fees required by the board.
A. The board has established the following fees applicable to
licensure as a professional counselor or a resident in counseling:
Active annual license renewal
|
$130
|
Inactive annual license renewal
|
$65
|
Initial licensure by examination: Application processing and
initial licensure as a professional counselor
|
$175
|
Initial licensure by endorsement: Application processing and
initial licensure as a professional counselor
|
$175
|
Registration of supervision Application and initial
licensure as a resident in counseling
|
$65
|
Add or change supervisor Pre-review of education
only
|
$30 $75
|
Duplicate license
|
$10
|
Verification of licensure to another jurisdiction
|
$30
|
Active annual license renewal for a professional counselor
|
$130
|
Inactive annual license renewal for a professional
counselor
|
$65
|
Annual renewal for a resident in counseling
|
$30
|
Late renewal for a professional counselor
|
$45
|
Late renewal for a resident in counseling
|
$10
|
Reinstatement of a lapsed license for a professional
counselor
|
$200
|
Reinstatement following revocation or suspension
|
$600
|
Replacement of or additional wall certificate
|
$25
|
Returned check
|
$35
|
Reinstatement following revocation or suspension
|
$600
|
B. All fees are nonrefundable.
C. Examination fees shall be determined and made payable as
determined by the board.
Part II
Requirements for Licensure as a Professional Counselor
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 coursework requirements
prescribed in 18VAC115-20-51, and the experience requirements prescribed in
18VAC115-20-52;
2. Pass the licensure examination specified by the board;
3. Submit the following to the board:
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 18VAC115-20-51. Transcripts previously submitted for registration of
supervision board approval of a resident license do not have to be
resubmitted unless additional coursework was subsequently obtained;
c. Verification of Supervision supervision forms
documenting fulfillment of the residency requirements of 18VAC115-20-52 and
copies of all required evaluation forms, including verification of current
licensure of the supervisor if any portion of the residency occurred in another
jurisdiction;
d. Verification of any other mental health or health
professional license or certificate ever held in another jurisdiction;
e. The application processing and initial licensure fee as
prescribed in 18VAC115-20-20; and
f. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
4. Have no unresolved disciplinary action against a mental
health or health professional license or certificate held in Virginia or in
another jurisdiction. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on
a case-by-case basis.
18VAC115-20-52. Residency Resident license and
requirements for a residency.
A. Registration Resident license. Applicants who
render for temporary licensure as a resident in counseling services
shall:
1. With their supervisor, register their supervisory
contract on the appropriate forms for board approval before starting to
practice under supervision Apply for licensure on a form provided by the
board to include the following: (i) verification of a supervisory contract,
(ii) the name and licensure number of the clinical supervisor and location for
the supervised practice, and (iii) an attestation that the applicant will be
providing clinical counseling services;
2. Have submitted an official transcript documenting a
graduate degree as that meets the requirements specified in
18VAC115-20-49 to include completion of the coursework and internship
requirement specified in 18VAC115-20-51; and
3. Pay the registration fee;
4. Submit a current report from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
5. Have no unresolved disciplinary action against a mental
health or health professional license, certificate, or registration in Virginia
or in another jurisdiction. The board will consider the history of disciplinary
action on a case-by-case basis.
B. Residency requirements.
1. The applicant for licensure as a professional counselor
shall have completed a 3,400-hour supervised residency in the role of a professional
counselor working with various populations, clinical problems, and theoretical
approaches in the following areas:
a. Assessment and diagnosis using psychotherapy techniques;
b. Appraisal, evaluation, and diagnostic procedures;
c. Treatment planning and implementation;
d. Case management and recordkeeping;
e. Professional counselor identity and function; and
f. Professional ethics and standards of practice.
2. The residency shall include a minimum of 200 hours of
in-person supervision between supervisor and resident in the consultation and
review of clinical counseling services provided by the resident. Supervision
shall occur at a minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours per 40 hours
of work experience during the period of the residency. For the purpose of
meeting the 200-hour supervision requirement, in-person may include the use of
secured technology that maintains client confidentiality and provides
real-time, visual contact between the supervisor and the resident. Up to 20
hours of the supervision received during the supervised internship may be
counted towards toward the 200 hours of in-person supervision if
the supervision was provided by a licensed professional counselor.
3. No more than half of the 200 hours may be satisfied with
group supervision. One hour of group supervision will be deemed equivalent to
one hour of individual supervision.
4. Supervision that is not concurrent with a residency will
not be accepted, nor will residency hours be accrued in the absence of approved
supervision.
5. The residency shall include at least 2,000 hours of
face-to-face client contact in providing clinical counseling services. The
remaining hours may be spent in the performance of ancillary counseling
services.
6. A graduate-level internship in excess of 600 hours, which
was completed in a program that meets the requirements set forth in
18VAC115-20-49, may count for up to an additional 300 hours towards toward
the requirements of a residency.
7. Supervised practicum and internship hours in a
CACREP-accredited doctoral counseling program may be accepted for up to 900
hours of the residency requirement and up to 100 of the required hours of
supervision provided the supervisor holds a current, unrestricted license as a
professional counselor.
8. The residency shall be completed in not less than 21 months
or more than four years. Residents who began a residency before August 24,
2016, shall complete the residency by August 24, 2020. An individual who does
not complete the residency after four years shall submit evidence to the board
showing why the supervised experience should be allowed to continue. A
resident shall meet the renewal requirements of subsection C of 18VAC115-20-100
in order to maintain a license in current, active status.
9. The board may consider special requests in the event that
the regulations create an undue burden in regard to geography or disability
that limits the resident's access to qualified supervision.
10. Residents may not call themselves professional counselors,
directly bill for services rendered, or in any way represent themselves as
independent, autonomous practitioners or professional counselors. During the
residency, residents shall use their names and the initials of their degree,
and the title "Resident in Counseling" in all written communications.
Clients shall be informed in writing of the resident's status that
the resident does not have authority for independent practice and is under
supervision and shall provide the supervisor's name, professional
address, and phone number.
11. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision
in any areas for which they have not had appropriate education.
12. Residency hours approved by the licensing board in another
United States jurisdiction that meet the requirements of this section shall be
accepted.
C. Supervisory qualifications. A person who provides
supervision for a resident in professional counseling shall:
1. Document two years of post-licensure clinical experience;
2. Have received professional training in supervision,
consisting of three credit hours or 4.0 quarter hours in graduate-level
coursework in supervision or at least 20 hours of continuing education in
supervision offered by a provider approved under 18VAC115-20-106; and
3. Hold an active, unrestricted license as a professional
counselor or a marriage and family therapist in the jurisdiction where the
supervision is being provided. At least 100 hours of the supervision shall be
rendered by a licensed professional counselor. Supervisors who are substance
abuse treatment practitioners, school psychologists, clinical psychologists,
clinical social workers, or psychiatrists and have been approved to provide
supervision may continue to do so until August 24, 2017.
D. Supervisory responsibilities.
1. Supervision by any individual whose relationship to the
resident compromises the objectivity of the supervisor is prohibited.
2. The supervisor of a resident shall assume full
responsibility for the clinical activities of that resident specified within
the supervisory contract for the duration of the residency.
3. The supervisor shall complete evaluation forms to be given
to the resident at the end of each three-month period.
4. The supervisor shall report the total hours of residency
and shall evaluate the applicant's competency in the six areas stated in
subdivision B 1 of this section.
5. The supervisor shall provide supervision as defined in
18VAC115-20-10.
E. Applicants shall document successful completion of their
residency on the Verification of Supervision Form at the time of application.
Applicants must receive a satisfactory competency evaluation on each item on
the evaluation sheet. Supervised experience obtained prior to April 12, 2000,
may be accepted toward licensure if this supervised experience met the board's
requirements that were in effect at the time the supervision was rendered.
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. An applicant is required to have passed the
prescribed examination within six years from the date of initial issuance of a
resident license 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. A candidate approved to sit for the examination shall pass
the examination within two years from the date of such initial approval. If the
candidate has not passed 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. The applicant shall file a new application with the
board, meet the requirements in effect at that time, and provide evidence of
why the board should approve the reapplication for examination. If approved by
the board, the applicant shall pass the examination within two years of such
approval. If the examination is not passed within the additional two-year
period, a new application will not be accepted.
D. C. The board shall establish a passing score
on the written examination.
E. D. A candidate for examination or an
applicant shall not provide clinical counseling services unless he is under
supervision approved by the board resident shall remain in a residency
practicing under supervision until the resident has passed the licensure
examination and been granted a license as a professional counselor.
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. A. Every license holder licensed
professional counselor who intends to continue an active practice shall
submit to the board on or before June 30 of each year:
1. A completed 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. B. A licensee licensed
professional counselor 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 subsection
C of 18VAC115-20-110 C.
C. For renewal of a resident license in counseling, the
following shall apply:
1. A resident license shall expire annually in the month
the resident license was initially issued and may be renewed up to five times
by submission of the renewal form and payment of the fee prescribed in
18VAC115-20-20.
2. On the annual renewal, the resident shall attest that a
supervisory contract is in effect with a board-approved supervisor for each of
the locations at which the resident is currently providing clinical counseling
services.
3. On the annual renewal, the resident in counseling shall
attest to completion of three hours in continuing education courses that
emphasize the ethics, standards of practice, or laws governing behavioral
science professions in Virginia, offered by an approved provider as set forth
in subsection B of 18VAC115-20-106.
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.
E. Practice with an expired license is prohibited and may
constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
NOTICE: Forms used in
administering the regulation have been filed by the agency. The forms are not
being published; however, online users of this issue of the Virginia Register
of Regulations may click on the name of a form with a hyperlink to access it.
The forms are also available from the agency contact or may be viewed at the
Office of the Registrar of Regulations, 900 East Main Street, 11th Floor,
Richmond, Virginia 23219.
FORMS (18VAC115-20)
Registration of Supervision - Post Graduate Degree
Supervised Experience, LPC Form 1 (rev. 2/2011)
Quarterly Evaluation, LPC Form 1-QE (rev. 2/2011)
Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor,
LPC Form 1-LV (rev. 2/2011)
Licensure Application, LPC Form 2 (rev. 2/2011)
Verification of Supervision – Post-Graduate Degree
Supervised Experience, LPC Form 2-VS (rev. 2/2011)
Coursework Outline Form, LPC Form 2-CO (rev.
2/2011)
Verification of Internship Hours Towards the
Residency, LPC Form 2-IR (rev. 2/2011)
Verification of Internship, LPC Form 2-VI (rev.
2/2011)
Verification of Licensure, LPC Form 2-VL (rev.
2/2011)
Supervision Outline - Examination Applicants Only,
LPC Form 2-SO (rev. 2/2011)
Verification of Clinical Practice, 5 of Last 6
Years Immediately Preceding Submission of Application for Licensure, LPC
Form-ECP (rev. 2/2011)
Continuing Education Summary Form (LPC) (rev.
3/2009)
Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (rev.
8/2007)
Application for Reinstatement of a Revoked,
Suspended, or Surrendered License (rev. 8/2007)
Application
Instructions for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Counseling (rev. 12/2019)
18VAC115-50-10. Definitions.
A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the meaning ascribed to them in § 54.1-3500 of the Code of
Virginia: (i) "board," (ii) "marriage and family therapy,"
(iii) "marriage and family therapist," and (iv) "practice of
marriage and family therapy."
B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
"Ancillary counseling services" means activities
such as case management, recordkeeping, referral, and coordination of services.
"CACREP" means the Council for Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
"COAMFTE" means the Commission on Accreditation for
Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
"Clinical marriage and family services" means
activities such as assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning and treatment
implementation for couples and families.
"Face-to-face" means the in-person delivery of
clinical marriage and family services for a client.
"Internship" means a formal academic course from a
regionally accredited university in which supervised practical experience is
obtained in a clinical setting in the application of counseling principles,
methods, and techniques.
"Regional accrediting agency" means one of the
regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education
as responsible for accrediting senior post-secondary institutions and training
programs.
"Residency" means a postgraduate, supervised,
clinical experience registered with the board.
"Resident" means an individual who has submitted
a supervisory contract to the board and has received been issued
a temporary license by the board approval to provide clinical
services in marriage and family therapy under supervision.
"Supervision" means an ongoing process performed by
a supervisor who monitors the performance of the person supervised and provides
regular, documented, individual or group consultation, guidance, and
instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person or
persons being supervised.
"Supervisory contract" means an agreement that
outlines the expectations and responsibilities of the supervisor and resident
in accordance with regulations of the board.
18VAC115-50-20. Fees.
A. The board has established fees for the following:
Registration of supervision Application and initial licensure as a resident
|
$65
|
Add or change supervisor Pre-review of education only
|
$30 $75
|
Initial licensure by
examination: Processing and initial licensure as a marriage and family
therapist
|
$175
|
Initial licensure by
endorsement: Processing and initial licensure as a marriage and family
therapist
|
$175
|
Active annual license renewal for
a marriage and family therapist
|
$130
|
Inactive annual license renewal for
a marriage and family therapist
|
$65
|
Annual renewal for a resident
in marriage and family therapy
|
$30
|
Penalty for late renewal for
a marriage and family therapist
|
$45
|
Late renewal for resident in
marriage and family therapy
|
$10
|
Reinstatement of a lapsed
license for a marriage and family therapist
|
$200
|
Verification of license to
another jurisdiction
|
$30
|
Additional or replacement
licenses
|
$10
|
Additional or replacement wall
certificates
|
$25
|
Returned check
|
$35
|
Reinstatement following
revocation or suspension
|
$600
|
B. All fees are nonrefundable.
C. Examination fees shall be determined and made payable as
determined by the board.
18VAC115-50-30. Application for licensure as a marriage and
family therapist by examination.
Every applicant for licensure by examination by the board
shall:
1. Meet the education and experience requirements prescribed
in 18VAC115-50-50, 18VAC115-50-55, and 18VAC115-50-60;
2. Meet the examination requirements prescribed in
18VAC115-50-70;
3. Submit to the board office the following items:
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 submitted from
the appropriate institutions of higher education, verifying satisfactory
completion of the education requirements set forth in 18VAC115-50-50 and
18VAC115-50-55. Previously submitted transcripts for registration of
supervision board approval of a resident license do not have to be
resubmitted unless additional coursework was subsequently obtained;
e. Verification on a board-approved form of any mental health
or health out-of-state license, certification, or registration ever held in
another jurisdiction; and
f. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
4. Have no unresolved disciplinary action against a mental
health or health professional license or certificate held in Virginia or in
another jurisdiction. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on
a case-by-case basis.
18VAC115-50-60. Residency Resident license and
requirements for a residency.
A. Registration Resident license. Applicants who
render for temporary licensure as a resident in marriage and family
therapy services shall:
1. With their supervisor, register their supervisory
contract on the appropriate forms for board approval before starting to
practice und18VACer supervision Apply for licensure on a form provided
by the board to include the following: (i) verification of a supervisory
contract, (ii) the name and licensure number of the supervisor and location for
the supervised practice, and (iii) an attestation that the applicant will be
providing marriage and family services.
2. Have submitted an official transcript documenting a
graduate degree as that meets the requirements specified in
18VAC115-50-50 to include completion of the coursework and internship
requirement specified in 18VAC115-50-55; and
3. Pay the registration fee;
4. Submit a current report from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
5. Have no unresolved disciplinary action against a mental
health or health professional license, certificate, or registration in Virginia
or in another jurisdiction. The board will consider the history of disciplinary
action on a case-by-case basis.
B. Residency requirements.
1. The applicant for licensure as a marriage and family
therapist shall have completed no fewer than 3,400 hours of supervised
residency in the role of a marriage and family therapist, to include 200 hours
of in-person supervision with the supervisor in the consultation and review of
marriage and family services provided by the resident. For the purpose of
meeting the 200 hours of supervision required for a residency, in-person may
also include the use of technology that maintains client confidentiality and
provides real-time, visual contact between the supervisor and the resident. At
least one-half of the 200 hours of supervision shall be rendered by a licensed
marriage and family therapist.
a. Residents shall receive a minimum of one hour and a maximum
of four hours of supervision for every 40 hours of supervised work experience.
b. No more than 100 hours of the supervision may be acquired
through group supervision, with the group consisting of no more than six
residents. One hour of group supervision will be deemed equivalent to one hour
of individual supervision.
c. Up to 20 hours of the supervision received during the
supervised internship may be counted towards the 200 hours of in-person
supervision if the supervision was provided by a licensed marriage and family
therapist or a licensed professional counselor.
2. The residency shall include documentation of at least 2,000
hours in clinical marriage and family services of which 1,000 hours shall be
face-to-face client contact with couples or families or both. The remaining
hours may be spent in the performance of ancillary counseling services. For
applicants who hold current, unrestricted licensure as a professional
counselor, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker, the remaining hours
may be waived.
3. The residency shall consist of practice in the core areas
set forth in 18VAC115-50-55.
4. The residency shall begin after the completion of a
master's degree in marriage and family therapy or a related discipline as set
forth in 18VAC115-50-50.
5. A graduate-level internship in excess of 600 hours, which
was completed in a program that meets the requirements set forth in
18VAC115-50-50, may count for up to an additional 300 hours towards the
requirements of a residency.
6. Supervised practicum and internship hours in a
COAMFTE-accredited or a CACREP-accredited doctoral program in marriage and
family therapy or counseling may be accepted for up to 900 hours of the
residency requirement and up to 100 of the required hours of supervision
provided the supervisor holds a current, unrestricted license as a marriage and
family therapist or professional counselor.
7. The board may consider special requests in the event that
the regulations create an undue burden in regard to geography or disability which
that limits the resident's access to qualified supervision.
8. Residents shall not call themselves marriage and family
therapists, directly bill for services rendered, or in any way represent
themselves as marriage and family therapists. During the residency, residents
may use their names, the initials of their degree, and the title "Resident
in Marriage and Family Therapy." Clients shall be informed in writing of
the resident's status that the resident does not have authority for
independent practice and is under supervision, along with the name, address,
and telephone number of the resident's supervisor.
9. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision in
any areas for which they do not have appropriate education.
10. The residency shall be completed in not less than 21
months or more than four years. Residents who began a residency before August
24, 2016, shall complete the residency by August 24, 2020. An individual who
does not complete the residency after four years shall submit evidence to the
board showing why the supervised experience should be allowed to continue. A
resident shall meet the renewal requirements of subsection C of 18VAC115-50-90
in order to maintain a resident license in current, active status.
11. Residency hours that are approved by the licensing board
in another United States jurisdiction and that meet the requirements of this
section shall be accepted.
C. Supervisory qualifications. A person who provides
supervision for a resident in marriage and family therapy shall:
1. Hold an active, unrestricted license as a marriage and
family therapist or professional counselor in the jurisdiction where the
supervision is being provided;
2. Document two years post-licensure marriage and family
therapy experience; and
3. Have received professional training in supervision,
consisting of three credit hours or 4.0 quarter hours in graduate-level
coursework in supervision or at least 20 hours of continuing education in
supervision offered by a provider approved under 18VAC115-50-96. At least
one-half of the 200 hours of supervision shall be rendered by a licensed
marriage and family therapist. Supervisors who are clinical psychologists,
clinical social workers, or psychiatrists and have been approved to provide
supervision may continue to do so until August 24, 2017.
D. Supervisory responsibilities.
1. The supervisor shall complete evaluation forms to be given
to the resident at the end of each three-month period. The supervisor shall
report the total hours of residency and evaluate the applicant's competency to
the board.
2. Supervision by an individual whose relationship to the
resident is deemed by the board to compromise the objectivity of the supervisor
is prohibited.
3. The supervisor shall provide supervision as defined in
18VAC115-50-10 and shall assume full responsibility for the clinical activities
of residents as specified within the supervisory contract, for the
duration of the residency.
18VAC115-50-70. General examination requirements.
A. All applicants for initial licensure shall pass an
examination, as prescribed by the board, with a passing score as
determined by the board. The examination is waived for an applicant who holds a
current and unrestricted license as a professional counselor issued by the
board.
B. The examination shall concentrate on the core areas of
marriage and family therapy set forth in subsection A of 18VAC115-50-55 An
applicant is required to pass the prescribed examination within six years from
the date of initial issuance of a resident license by the board.
C. A candidate approved to sit for the examination shall
pass the examination within two years from the initial notification date of
approval. If the candidate has not passed the examination within two years from
the date of initial approval:
1. The initial approval to sit for the examination shall
then become invalid; and
2. The applicant shall file a new application with the
board, meet the requirements in effect at that time, and provide evidence of
why the board should approve the reapplication for examination. If approved by
the board, the candidate shall pass the examination within two years of such
approval. If the examination is not passed within the additional two-year
period, a new application will not be accepted.
D. Applicants or candidates for examination shall not
provide marriage and family services unless they are under supervision approved
by the board C. A resident shall remain in a residency practicing under
supervision until the resident has passed the licensure examination and been
granted a license as a marriage and family therapist.
18VAC115-50-90. Annual renewal of license.
A. All licensees shall renew licenses on or before June 30
of each year.
B. A. All licensees licensed marriage
and family therapists who intend to continue an active practice shall
submit to the board on or before June 30 of each year:
1. A completed 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. B. A licensee licensed marriage
and family therapist 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.
C. For renewal of a resident license in marriage and
family therapy, the following shall apply:
1. A resident license shall expire annually in the month
the license was initially issued and may be renewed up to five times by
submission of the renewal form and payment of the fee prescribed in
18VAC115-50-20.
2. On the annual renewal, the resident shall attest that a
supervisory contract is in effect with a board-approved supervisor for each of
the locations at which the resident is currently providing marriage and family
therapy.
3. On the annual renewal, residents in marriage and family
therapy shall attest to completion of three hours in continuing education
courses that emphasize the ethics, standards of practice, or laws governing
behavioral science professions in Virginia, offered by an approved provider as
set forth in subsection B of 18VAC115-50-96.
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.
E. After the renewal date, the license is expired; practice
with an expired license is prohibited and may constitute grounds for
disciplinary action.
NOTICE: Forms used in administering the regulation have been
filed by the agency. The forms are not being published; however, online users
of this issue of the Virginia Register of Regulations may click on the name of
a form with a hyperlink to access it. The forms are also available from the
agency contact or may be viewed at the Office of the Registrar of Regulations,
900 East Main Street, 11th Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
FORMS (18VAC115-50)
Licensure Application - Marriage and Family
Therapist, MFT Form 2 (rev. 2/2011)
Verification of Licensure, MFT Form 2-VL (rev.
2/2011)
Verification of Supervision – Post-Graduate Degree
Supervised Experience, MFT Form 2-VS (rev. 2/2011)
Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor,
MFT Form 1-LV (rev. 2/2011)
Quarterly Evaluation, MFT Form 1-QE (rev. 2/2011)
Coursework Outline Form, MFT Form 2-CO (rev.
2/2011)
Verification of Internship, MFT Form 2-VI (rev.
2/2011)
Verification of Internship Hours Towards the
Residency, MFT Form 2-IR (rev. 2/2011)
Supervision Outline - Examination Applicants Only,
MFT Form 2-SO (rev. 2/2011)
Verification of Clinical Practice 5 of Last 6
Years Immediately Preceding Submission for Application of Licensure,
Endorsement Applicants Only, Form MFT-ECP (rev. 2/2011)
Registration of Supervision - Post Graduate Degree
Supervised Experience, MFT Form 1 (rev. 2/2011)
Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License (rev.
8/2007)
Continuing Education Summary Form (LMFT) (rev.
3/2009)
Applications
Instructions - Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy
(rev. 12/2019)
Part I
General Provisions
18VAC115-60-10. Definitions.
A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the meaning ascribed to them in § 54.1-3500 of the Code of
Virginia:
"Board"
"Licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner"
"Substance abuse"
"Substance abuse treatment"
B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter
shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
"Ancillary services" means activities such as case
management, recordkeeping, referral, and coordination of services.
"Applicant" means any individual who has submitted
an official application and paid the application fee for licensure as a
substance abuse treatment practitioner.
"CACREP" means the Council for Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
"Candidate for licensure" means a person who has
satisfactorily completed all educational and experience requirements for
licensure and has been deemed eligible by the board to sit for its
examinations.
"Clinical substance abuse treatment services" means
activities such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment
implementation.
"COAMFTE" means the Commission on Accreditation for
Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
"Competency area" means an area in which a person
possesses knowledge and skill and the ability to apply them in the clinical
setting.
"Exempt setting" means an agency or institution in
which licensure is not required to engage in the practice of substance abuse
treatment according to the conditions set forth in § 54.1-3501 of the Code
of Virginia.
"Face-to-face" means the in-person delivery of
clinical substance abuse treatment services for a client.
"Group supervision" means the process of clinical
supervision of no more than six persons in a group setting provided by a
qualified supervisor.
"Internship" means a formal academic course from a
regionally accredited university in which supervised, practical experience is
obtained in a clinical setting in the application of counseling principles,
methods, and techniques.
"Jurisdiction" means a state, territory, district,
province, or country which that has granted a professional
certificate or license to practice a profession, use a professional title, or
hold oneself out as a practitioner of that profession.
"Nonexempt setting" means a setting which that
does not meet the conditions of exemption from the requirements of licensure to
engage in the practice of substance abuse treatment as set forth in
§ 54.1-3501 of the Code of Virginia.
"Regional accrediting agency" means one of the
regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education
responsible for accrediting senior postsecondary institutions.
"Residency" means a postgraduate, supervised,
clinical experience registered with the board.
"Resident" means an individual who has submitted
a supervisory contract and has received board approval been issued a
temporary license by the board to provide clinical services in substance
abuse treatment under supervision.
"Supervision" means the ongoing process performed
by a supervisor who monitors the performance of the person supervised and
provides regular, documented individual or group consultation, guidance,
and instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the
person supervised.
"Supervisory contract" means an agreement that
outlines the expectations and responsibilities of the supervisor and resident
in accordance with regulations of the board.
18VAC115-60-20. Fees required by the board.
A. The board has established the following fees applicable to
licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner or resident in
substance abuse treatment:
Registration of supervision (initial) Application
and initial licensure as a resident in substance abuse treatment
|
$65
|
Add/change supervisor Pre-review of education only
|
$30 $75
|
Initial licensure by examination: Processing and initial
licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner
|
$175
|
Initial licensure by endorsement: Processing and initial
licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner
|
$175
|
Active annual license renewal for a substance abuse
treatment practitioner
|
$130
|
Inactive annual license renewal for a substance abuse
treatment practitioner
|
$65
|
Annual renewal for a resident in substance abuse treatment
|
$30
|
Duplicate license
|
$10
|
Verification of license to another jurisdiction
|
$30
|
Late renewal for a substance abuse treatment practitioner
|
$45
|
Late renewal for a resident in substance abuse treatment
|
$10
|
Reinstatement of a lapsed license of a substance abuse
treatment practitioner
|
$200
|
Replacement of or additional wall certificate
|
$25
|
Returned check
|
$35
|
Reinstatement following revocation or suspension
|
$600
|
B. All fees are nonrefundable.
C. Examination fees shall be determined and made payable as
determined by the board.
Part II
Requirements for Licensure as a Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner
18VAC115-60-40. Application for licensure by examination.
Every applicant for licensure by examination by the board
shall:
1. Meet the degree program, coursework, and experience
requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60, 18VAC115-60-70, and 18VAC115-60-80;
2. Pass the examination required for initial licensure as
prescribed in 18VAC115-60-90;
3. Submit the following items to the board:
a. A completed application;
b. Official transcripts documenting the applicant's completion
of the degree program and coursework requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60
and 18VAC115-60-70. Transcripts previously submitted for registration of
supervision board approval of a resident license do not have to be
resubmitted unless additional coursework was subsequently obtained;
c. Verification of supervision forms documenting fulfillment
of the residency requirements of 18VAC115-60-80 and copies of all required
evaluation forms, including verification of current licensure of the supervisor
of any portion of the residency occurred in another jurisdiction;
d. Documentation of any other mental health or health
professional license or certificate ever held in another jurisdiction;
e. The application processing and initial licensure fee as
prescribed in 18VAC115-60-20; and
f. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
4. Have no unresolved disciplinary action against a mental
health or health professional license or certificate held in Virginia or in
another jurisdiction. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on
a case-by-case basis.
18VAC115-60-80. Residency Resident license and
requirements for a residency.
A. Registration Licensure. Applicants who
render for a temporary resident license in substance abuse treatment
services shall:
1. With their supervisor, register their supervisory
contract on the appropriate forms for board approval before starting to
practice under supervision Apply for licensure on a form provided by the
board to include the following: (i) verification of a supervisory contract,
(ii) the name and licensure number of the supervisor and location for the
supervised practice, and (iii) an attestation that the applicant will be
providing substance abuse treatment services;
2. Have submitted an official transcript documenting a
graduate degree as that meets the requirements specified in
18VAC115-60-60 to include completion of the coursework and internship
requirement specified in 18VAC115-60-70; and
3. Pay the registration fee;
4. Submit a current report from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
5. Have no unresolved disciplinary action against a mental
health or health professional license, certificate, or registration in Virginia
or in another jurisdiction. The board will consider the history of disciplinary
action on a case-by-case basis.
B. Applicants who are beginning their residencies in exempt
settings shall register supervision with the board to assure acceptability at
the time of application.
C. Residency requirements.
1. The applicant for licensure as a substance abuse treatment
practitioner shall have completed no fewer than 3,400 hours in a supervised
residency in substance abuse treatment with various populations, clinical
problems and theoretical approaches in the following areas:
a. Clinical evaluation;
b. Treatment planning, documentation, and
implementation;
c. Referral and service coordination;
d. Individual and group counseling and case management;
e. Client family and community education; and
f. Professional and ethical responsibility.
2. The residency shall include a minimum of 200 hours of
in-person supervision between supervisor and resident occurring at a minimum of
one hour and a maximum of four hours per 40 hours of work experience during the
period of the residency.
a. No more than half of these hours may be satisfied with
group supervision.
b. One hour of group supervision will be deemed equivalent to
one hour of individual supervision.
c. Supervision that is not concurrent with a residency will
not be accepted, nor will residency hours be accrued in the absence of approved
supervision.
d. For the purpose of meeting the 200-hour supervision
requirement, in-person supervision may include the use of technology that
maintains client confidentiality and provides real-time, visual contact between
the supervisor and the resident.
e. Up to 20 hours of the supervision received during the
supervised internship may be counted towards the 200 hours of in-person
supervision if the supervision was provided by a licensed professional
counselor.
3. The residency shall include at least 2,000 hours of
face-to-face client contact in providing clinical substance abuse treatment
services with individuals, families, or groups of individuals suffering from
the effects of substance abuse or dependence. The remaining hours may be spent
in the performance of ancillary services.
4. A graduate level degree internship in excess of 600 hours,
which is completed in a program that meets the requirements set forth in
18VAC115-60-70, may count for up to an additional 300 hours towards the requirements
of a residency.
5. The residency shall be completed in not less than 21 months
or more than four years. Residents who began a residency before August 24,
2016, shall complete the residency by August 24, 2020. An individual who does
not complete the residency after four years shall submit evidence to the board
showing why the supervised experience should be allowed to continue. A
resident shall meet the renewal requirements of subsection C of 18VAC115-60-110
in order to maintain a license in current, active status.
6. The board may consider special requests in the event that
the regulations create an undue burden in regard to geography or disability which
that limits the resident's access to qualified supervision.
7. Residents may not call themselves substance abuse treatment
practitioners, directly bill for services rendered, or in any way represent
themselves as independent, autonomous practitioners or substance abuse
treatment practitioners. During the residency, residents shall use their names
and the initials of their degree, and the title "Resident in Substance
Abuse Treatment" in all written communications. Clients shall be informed
in writing of the resident's status, that the resident does not have
authority for independent practice and is under supervision and shall provide
the supervisor's name, professional address, and telephone number.
8. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision in
any areas for which they have not had appropriate education.
9. Residency hours that are approved by the licensing board in
another United States jurisdiction and that meet the requirements of this
section shall be accepted.
D. Supervisory qualifications.
1. A person who provides supervision for a resident in
substance abuse treatment shall hold an active, unrestricted license as a
professional counselor or substance abuse treatment practitioner in the
jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided. Supervisors who are
marriage and family therapists, school psychologists, clinical psychologists,
clinical social workers, clinical nurse specialists, or psychiatrists and have
been approved to provide supervision may continue to do so until August 24,
2017.
2. All supervisors shall document two years post-licensure
substance abuse treatment experience and at least 100 hours of didactic
instruction in substance abuse treatment. Supervisors must document a
three-credit-hour course in supervision, a 4.0-quarter-hour course in
supervision, or at least 20 hours of continuing education in supervision
offered by a provider approved under 18VAC115-60-116.
E. Supervisory responsibilities.
1. Supervision by any individual whose relationship to the
resident compromises the objectivity of the supervisor is prohibited.
2. The supervisor of a resident shall assume full
responsibility for the clinical activities of that resident specified within
the supervisory contract for the duration of the residency.
3. The supervisor shall complete evaluation forms to be given
to the resident at the end of each three-month period.
4. The supervisor shall report the total hours of residency
and shall evaluate the applicant's competency in the six areas stated in
subdivision C 1 of this section.
F. Documentation of supervision. Applicants shall document
successful completion of their residency on the Verification of Supervision
form at the time of application. Applicants must receive a satisfactory
competency evaluation on each item on the evaluation sheet.
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. Such applicant is required to pass
the prescribed examination within six years from the date of initial issuance
of a resident license by the board.
B. Every applicant for licensure as a substance abuse
treatment practitioner by endorsement shall have passed a substance abuse examination
deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to the Virginia examination.
C. The examination is waived for an applicant who holds a
current and unrestricted license as a professional counselor issued by the
board.
D. A candidate approved by the board to sit for the
examination shall pass the examination within two years from the date of such
initial board approval. If the candidate has not passed the examination within
two years from the date of initial approval:
1. The initial board approval to sit for the examination
shall then become invalid; and
2. The applicant shall file a complete new application with
the board, meet the requirements in effect at that time, and provide evidence
of why the board should approve the reapplication for examination. If approved
by the board, the applicant shall pass the examination within two years of such
approval. If the examination is not passed within the additional two-year
period, a new application will not be accepted.
E. D. The board shall establish a passing score
on the written examination.
F. A candidate for examination or an applicant shall not
provide clinical services unless he is under supervision approved by the board.
E. A resident shall remain in a residency practicing under supervision until
the resident has passed the licensure examination and been granted a license as
a substance abuse treatment practitioner.
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. A. Every license holder substance
abuse treatment practitioner who intends to continue an active practice
shall submit to the board on or before June 30 of each year:
1. A completed 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. B. A licensee substance abuse
treatment practitioner 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 subsection C of 18VAC115-60-120 C.
C. For renewal of a resident license in substance abuse
treatment, the following shall apply:
1. A resident license shall expire annually in the month
the resident license was initially issued and may be renewed up to five times
by submission of the renewal form and payment of the fee prescribed in
18VAC115-60-20.
2. On the annual renewal, the resident shall attest that a
supervisory contract is in effect with a board-approved supervisor for each of
the locations at which the resident is currently providing substance abuse
treatment services.
3. On the annual renewal, residents in substance abuse
treatment shall attest to completion of three hours in continuing education
courses that emphasize the ethics, standards of practice, or laws governing
behavioral science professions in Virginia, offered by an approved provider as
set forth in subsection B of 18VAC115-60-116.
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.
E. After the renewal date, the license is expired; practice
with an expired license is prohibited and may constitute grounds for
disciplinary action.
NOTICE: Forms used in
administering the regulation have been filed by the agency. The forms are not
being published; however, online users of this issue of the Virginia Register
of Regulations may click on the name of a form with a hyperlink to access it.
The forms are also available from the agency contact or may be viewed at the
Office of the Registrar of Regulations, 900 East Main Street, 11th Floor,
Richmond, Virginia 23219.
FORMS (18VAC115-60)
Licensure Application, Licensed Substance Abuse
Treatment Practitioner, LSATP Form 2 (rev. 1/2011)
Verification of Licensure, Form LSATP 2-VL (rev.
1/2011)
Verification of Supervision – Post Graduate Degree
Supervised Experience, LSATP 2-VS (rev. 1/2011)
Supervisor's Experience and Education (rev.
1/2011)
Licensure Verification of Out-of-State Supervisor,
LSATP Form 1-LV (rev. 1/2011)
Coursework Outline Form, Form LSATP 2-CO (rev.
1/2011)
Verification of Internship, Form LSATP 2-VI (rev.
1/2011)
Verification of Internship Hours Towards the
Residency, Form LSATP 2-IR (rev. 1/2011)
Registration of Supervision – Post Graduate Degree
Supervised Experience, LSATP Form 1 (rev. 1/2011)
Quarterly Evaluation Form, LSATP Form 1-QE (rev.
1/2011)
Supervision Outline Form – Examination Applicants
Only, Form LSATP 2-SO (rev. 1/2011).
Verification of Post-Licensure Clinical Practice,
Endorsement Applicants Only, Form LSATP-ECP (rev. 1/2011)
Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner
Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed Certificate (rev. 7/2011)
Continuing Education Summary Form (LSATP) (rev.
3/2009)
Application
Instructions for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment
(rev. 12/2019)
VA.R. Doc. No. R20-6111; Filed August 16, 2020, 9:42 a.m.