TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
BOARD OF COUNSELING
Agency Decision
Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: Marva Michelle Baskerville.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Counseling revise 18VAC115-20-70 to establish a pathway for licensed substance abuse treatment providers (LSATPs) to become licensed professional counselors (LPCs). A similar pathway exists for LPCs to become LSATPs without an examination under 18VAC115-60-90 C.
Agency Decision: Request denied.
Statement of Reason for Decision: At its January 24, 2025, meeting, the Board of Counseling voted to deny the petition for rulemaking as the board feels LSATPs and LPCs are different professional tracks with distinct educational requirements. The board concluded that, as a result, a distinct pathway for LSATPs to become LPCs is not viable.
Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4406, or email jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR25-29; Filed October 16, 2024, 4:06 p.m.
Agency Decision
Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: James Honeycutt.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Counseling amend 18VAC115-20-52 C 3 and 18VAC115-50-60 C 3 to allow previous clinical experience obtained by a licensed professional counselor or licensed marriage and family therapist who is also a licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or psychiatrist to satisfy the requirements for two years of post-licensure clinical experience.
Agency Decision: Request denied.
Statement of Reason for Decision: At its January 24, 2025, meeting, the Board of Counseling voted to deny the petition for rulemaking as the board feels the current standards of supervision are sufficient.
Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4406, or email jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR25-27; Filed August 26, 2024, 8:42 a.m.
Agency Decision
Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: Jenna Pagano.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Counseling amend 18VAC115-20-40 and 18VAC115-20-51 to create a pathway for licensed marriage and family therapists to obtain licensure as a professional counselor similar to the pathway provided for licensed professional counselors to obtain licensure as a marriage and family therapist.
Agency Decision: Request denied.
Statement of Reason for Decision: At its January 24, 2025, meeting, the Board of Counseling voted to deny the petition for rulemaking as the board feels current regulations are sufficient for individuals who hold a licensed marriage and family therapist license to obtain licensed professional counselor credentials.
Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4406, or email jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR25-28; Filed September 24, 2024, 3:15 p.m.
Agency Decision
Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: Jenna Pagano.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Counseling amend 18VAC115-20-40 to exempt licensed marriage and family counselors from passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination or National Counselor Examination to apply for licensure as a professional counselor and accept passage of the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination for those applicants.
Agency Decision: Request denied.
Statement of Reason for Decision: At its January 24, 2025, meeting, the Board of Counseling voted to deny the petition for rulemaking. The board feels there is not sufficient information on the equivalence of the licensed marriage and family therapist exam to the currently accepted exams by the board for licensure as a licensed professional counselor.
Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4406, or email jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR25-30; Filed September 24, 2024, 3:09 p.m.
Agency Decision
Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.
Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: Sharon Watson.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Counseling amend 18VAC115-20-52 C 2 and 18VAC115-50-60 C 3 to require that supervisors complete two hours of continuing education in residency and supervision requirements and related supervisory ethical issues as part of required annual continuing education for licensed professional counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists.
Agency Decision: Request denied.
Statement of Reason for Decision: At its January 24, 2025, meeting, the Board of Counseling voted to deny the petition for rulemaking and send the issue to the regulatory committee. While the board supported the idea of the petition, the board preferred that the regulatory committee look at the issue to identify all potential changes that would need to be made.
Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4406, or email jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR25-26; Filed August 12, 2024, 7:34 a.m.