CHAPTER 80

REGISTRATION OF QUALIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Part I
General Provisions

18VAC115-80-10. Definitions.

"Accredited" means a school that is listed as accredited on the U.S. Department of Education College Accreditation database found on the U.S. Department of Education website.

"Applicant" means a person applying for registration as a qualified mental health professional.

"Board" means the Virginia Board of Counseling.

"Collaborative mental health services" means those rehabilitative supportive services that are provided by a qualified mental health professional, as set forth in a service plan under the direction of and in collaboration with either a mental health professional licensed in Virginia or a person under supervision, that has been approved by the Board of Counseling, Board of Psychology, or Board of Social Work as a prerequisite for licensure.

"DBHDS" means the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

"Face-to-face" means the physical presence of the individuals involved in the supervisory relationship or the use of technology that provides real-time, visual, and audio contact among the individuals involved.

"Mental health professional" means a person who by education and experience is professionally qualified and licensed in Virginia to provide counseling interventions designed to facilitate an individual's achievement of human development goals and remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with mental health and development.

"Qualified mental health professional" or "QMHP" means a person who by education and experience is professionally qualified and registered by the board to provide collaborative mental health services for adults or children. A QMHP shall not engage in independent or autonomous practice. A QMHP shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the DBHDS or a provider licensed by the DBHDS.

"Qualified mental health professional-adult" or "QMHP-A" means a registered QMHP who is trained and experienced in providing mental health services to adults who have a mental illness. A QMHP-A shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the DBHDS or a provider licensed by the DBHDS.

"Qualified mental health professional-child" or "QMHP-C" means a registered QMHP who is trained and experienced in providing mental health services to children or adolescents who have a mental illness. A QMHP-C shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the DBHDS or a provider licensed by the DBHDS.

"Registrant" means a QMHP registered with the board.

18VAC115-80-20. Fees required by the board.

A. The board has established the following fees applicable to the registration of qualified mental health professionals:

B. Unless otherwise provided, fees established by the board shall not be refundable.

18VAC115-80-30. Current name and address.

Each registrant shall furnish the board his current name and address of record. Any change of name or address of record or public address if different from the address of record, shall be furnished to the board within 60 days of such change. It shall be the duty and responsibility of each registrant to inform the board of his current address.

Part II
Requirements for Registration

18VAC115-80-40. Requirements for registration as a qualified mental health professional-adult.

A. An applicant for registration shall submit a completed application on forms provided by the board and any applicable fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20.

B. An applicant for registration as a QMHP-A shall provide evidence of:

1. A master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, substance abuse, or marriage and family therapy from an accredited college or university with an internship or practicum of at least 500 hours of experience with persons who have mental illness;

2. A master's or bachelor's degree in human services or a related field from an accredited college with no less than 1,500 hours of supervised experience to be obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration and as specified in subsection C of this section;

3. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an unrelated field that includes at least 15 semester credits or 22 quarter hours in a human services field and with no less than 3,000 hours of supervised experience to be obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration and as specified in subsection C of this section;

4. A registered nurse licensed in Virginia with no less than 1,500 hours of supervised experience to be obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration and as specified in subsection C of this section; or

5. A licensed occupational therapist with no less than 1,500 hours of supervised experience to be obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration and as specified in subsection C of this section.

C. Experience required for registration.

1. To be registered as a QMHP-A, an applicant who does not have a master's degree as set forth in subdivision B 1 of this section shall provide documentation of experience in providing direct services to individuals as part of a population of adults with mental illness in a setting where mental health treatment, practice, observation, or diagnosis occurs. The services provided shall be appropriate to the practice of a QMHP-A and under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional or a person under supervision that has been approved by the Board of Counseling, Board of Psychology, or Board of Social Work as a prerequisite for licensure.

2. Supervision shall consist of face-to-face training in the services of a QMHP-A until the supervisor determines competency in the provision of such services, after which supervision may be indirect in which the supervisor is either on-site or immediately available for consultation with the person being trained.

3. Hours obtained in a bachelor's or master's level internship or practicum in a human services field may be counted toward completion of the required hours of experience.

4. A person receiving supervised training to qualify as a QMHP-A may register with the board.

18VAC115-80-50. Requirements for registration as a qualified mental health professional-child.

A. An applicant for registration shall submit a completed application on forms provided by the board and any applicable fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20.

B. An applicant for registration as a QMHP-C shall provide evidence of:

1. A master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, substance abuse, or marriage and family therapy from an accredited college or university with an internship or practicum of at least 500 hours of experience with persons who have mental illness;

2. A master's or bachelor's degree in a human services field or in special education from an accredited college with no less than 1,500 hours of supervised experience to be obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration and as specified in subsection C of this section;

3. A registered nurse licensed in Virginia with no less than 1,500 hours of supervised experience to be obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration and as specified in subsection C of this section; or

4. A licensed occupational therapist with no less than 1,500 hours of supervised experience to be obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration and as specified in subsection C of this section.

C. Experience required for registration.

1. To be registered as a QMHP-C, an applicant who does not have a master's degree as set forth in subdivision B 1 of this section shall provide documentation of 1,500 hours of experience in providing direct services to individuals as part of a population of children or adolescents with mental illness in a setting where mental health treatment, practice, observation, or diagnosis occurs. The services provided shall be appropriate to the practice of a QMHP-C and under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional or a person under supervision that has been approved by the Board of Counseling, Board of Psychology, or Board of Social Work as a prerequisite for licensure.

2. Supervision shall consist of face-to-face training in the services of a QMHP-C until the supervisor determines competency in the provision of such services, after which supervision may be indirect in which the supervisor is either on-site or immediately available for consultation with the person being trained.

3. Hours obtained in a bachelor's or master's level internship or practicum in a human services field may be counted toward completion of the required hours of experience.

4. A person receiving supervised training to qualify as a QMHP-C may register with the board.

18VAC115-80-60. Registration of qualified mental health professionals with prior experience.

Until December 31, 2018, persons who have been employed as QMHPs prior to December 31, 2017, may be registered with the board by submission of a completed application, payment of the application fee, and submission of an attestation from an employer that they met the qualifications for a QMHP-A or a QMHP-C during the time of employment. Such persons may continue to renew their registration without meeting current requirements for registration provided they do not allow their registration to lapse or have board action to revoke or suspend, in which case they shall meet the requirements for reinstatement.

Part III
Renewal of Registration

18VAC115-80-70. Annual renewal of registration.

All registrants shall renew their registrations on or before June 30 of each year. Along with the renewal form, the registrant shall submit the renewal fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20.

18VAC115-80-80. Continued competency requirements for renewal of registration.

A. Qualified mental health professionals shall be required to have completed a minimum of eight contact hours of continuing education for each annual registration renewal. A minimum of one of these hours shall be in a course that emphasizes ethics.

B. Qualified mental health professionals shall complete continuing competency activities that focus on increasing knowledge or skills in areas directly related to the services provided by a QMHP.

C. The following organizations, associations, or institutions are approved by the board to provide continuing education, provided the hours are directly related to the provision of mental health services:

1. Federal, state, or local governmental agencies, public school systems, or licensed health facilities; and

2. Entities approved for continuing education by a health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions.

D. Attestation of completion of continuing education is not required for the first renewal following initial registration in Virginia.

E. The board may grant an extension for good cause of up to one year for the completion of continuing education requirements upon written request from the registrant prior to the renewal date. Such extension shall not relieve the registrant of the continuing education requirement.

F. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements due to circumstances beyond the control of the registrant, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters, upon written request from the registrant prior to the renewal date.

G. All registrants shall maintain original documentation of official transcripts showing credit hours earned or certificates of participation for a period of three years following renewal.

H. The board may conduct an audit of registrants to verify compliance with the requirement for a renewal period. Upon request, a registrant shall provide documentation as follows:

1. Official transcripts showing credit hours earned; or

2. Certificates of participation.

I. Continuing education hours required by a disciplinary order shall not be used to satisfy renewal requirements.

Part IV
Standards of Practice, Disciplinary Action, and Reinstatement

18VAC115-80-90. Standards of practice.

A. The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare and the best interest of the public shall be the primary guide in determining the appropriate professional conduct of all persons whose activities are regulated by the board.

B. Persons registered by the board shall:

1. Practice in a manner that is in the best interest of the public and does not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare.

2. Practice only within the competency area for which they are qualified by training or experience and shall not provide clinical mental health services for which a license is required pursuant to Chapters 35 (§ 54.1-3500 et seq.), 36 (§ 54.1-3600 et seq.), and 37 (§ 54.1-3700 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia.

3. Report to the board known or suspected violations of the laws and regulations governing the practice of qualified mental health professionals.

4. Neither accept nor give commissions, rebates, or other forms of remuneration for the referral of clients for professional services and make appropriate consultations and referrals based on the interest of patients or clients.

5. Stay abreast of new developments, concepts, and practices that are necessary to providing appropriate services.

C. In regard to confidentiality and client records, persons registered by the board shall:

1. Not willfully or negligently breach the confidentiality between a practitioner and a client. A breach of confidentiality that is required or permitted by applicable law or beyond the control of the practitioner shall not be considered negligent or willful.

2. Disclose client records to others only in accordance with applicable law.

3. Maintain client records securely, inform all employees of the requirements of confidentiality, and provide for the destruction of records that are no longer useful in a manner that ensures client confidentiality.

4. Maintain timely, accurate, legible, and complete written or electronic records for each client, to include dates of service and identifying information to substantiate treatment plan, client progress, and termination.

D. In regard to dual relationships, persons registered by the board shall:

1. Not engage in dual relationships with clients or former clients that are harmful to the client's well-being, that would impair the practitioner's objectivity and professional judgment, or that would increase the risk of client exploitation. This prohibition includes such activities as providing services to close friends, former sexual partners, employees, or relatives or engaging in business relationships with clients.

2. Not engage in sexual intimacies or romantic relationships with current clients. For at least five years after cessation or termination of professional services, practitioners shall not engage in sexual intimacies or romantic relationships with a client or those included in collateral therapeutic services. Because sexual or romantic relationships are potentially exploitative, the practitioner shall bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation. A client's consent to, initiation of, or participation in sexual behavior or involvement with a practitioner does not change the nature of the conduct nor lift the regulatory prohibition.

3. Recognize conflicts of interest and inform all parties of obligations, responsibilities, and loyalties to third parties.

E. Upon learning of evidence that indicates a reasonable probability that another mental health service provider, as defined in § 54.1-2400.1 of the Code of Virginia, is or may be guilty of a violation of standards of conduct as defined in statute or regulation, persons registered by the board shall advise their clients of the client's right to report such misconduct to the Department of Health Professions in accordance with § 54.1-2400.4 of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC115-80-100. Grounds for revocation, suspension, restriction, or denial of registration.

In accordance with subdivision 7 of § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia, the board may revoke, suspend, restrict, or decline to issue or renew a registration based upon the following conduct:

1. Conviction of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or violation of or aid to another in violating any provision of Chapter 35 (§ 54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, any other statute applicable to the practice of qualified mental health professionals, or any provision of this chapter;

2. Procuring or maintaining a registration, including submission of an application or applicable board forms, by fraud or misrepresentation;

3. Conducting one's practice in such a manner so as to make it a danger to the health and welfare of one's clients or to the public, or if one is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to clients by reason of illness or abusive use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material or as a result of any mental or physical condition;

4. Violating or abetting another person in the violation of any provision of any statute applicable to the practice of qualified mental health professionals or any regulation in this chapter;

5. Performance of functions outside the board-registered area of competency;

6. Performance of an act likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

7. Intentional or negligent conduct that causes or is likely to cause injury to a client;

8. Action taken against a health or mental health license, certification, registration, or application in Virginia or other jurisdiction;

9. Failure to cooperate with an employee of the Department of Health Professions in the conduct of an investigation; or

10. Failure to report evidence of child abuse or neglect as required in § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia or elder abuse or neglect as required in § 63.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC115-80-110. Late renewal and reinstatement.

A. A person whose registration has expired may renew it within one year after its expiration date by paying the late renewal fee and the registration fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20 for the year in which the registration was not renewed and by providing documentation of completion of continuing education as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-80.

B. A person who fails to renew registration after one year or more shall:

1. Apply for reinstatement;

2. Pay the reinstatement fee for a lapsed registration; and

3. Submit evidence of completion of 20 hours of continuing education consistent with requirements of 18VAC115-80-80.

C. A person whose registration has been suspended or who has been denied reinstatement by board order, having met the terms of the order, may submit a new application and fee for reinstatement of registration as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20.  Any person whose registration has been revoked by the board may, three years subsequent to such board action, submit a new application and fee for reinstatement of registration as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20. The board in its discretion may, after an administrative proceeding, grant the reinstatement sought in this subsection.