Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
Board
Board of Counseling
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling [18 VAC 115 ‑ 20]
Action:
Changes resulting from periodic review
Action 5230
 
General Information
Action Summary The intent of the amendments resulting from the periodic review is to update regulations, clarify language, achieve consistency among requirements for licensees, and facilitate obtaining license by examination or by endorsement. Additional standards of practice and ground for disciplinary action are included to address issues that have arisen or for consistency with other behavioral health professional regulations. Similar changes are recommended in all three chapters, with some specific amendments to Chapters 50 and 60, including elimination of the waiver of a licensing examination in marriage and family therapy or substance abuse treatment for counselors who want to obtain those specialized licenses.
Chapters Affected
  VAC Chapter Name Action Type
Primary 18 VAC 115-20 Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling Amend Existing Regulation
Other chapters
  18 VAC 115 - 50 Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy Amend Existing Regulation
  18 VAC 115 - 60 Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners Amend Existing Regulation
Executive Branch Review This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
RIS Project Yes  [005799]
Result of Prior Periodic Review Filed 7/5/2018 7/5/2018 7/5/2018
New Periodic Review This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
8544 NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 09/18/2019.
8872 Proposed Stage complete. Comment period ended 04/01/2022.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Jaime Hoyle  / Executive Director
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Email Address: jaime.hoyle@dhp.virginia.gov
Phone: (804)367-4406    FAX: (804)527-4435    TDD: ()-

This person is the primary contact for this board.