Amend 18VAC115-60-55 which provided a time-limited waiver for acceptance of credentials that did not meet educational and examination requirements for licensure set forth in 18VAC115-60-40 (Licensure by examination) and 18VAC115-60-50 (Licensure by endorsement).  The time-limited waiver expired February 16, 2004.

 In accordance with Virginia law, the petition will be filed with the Register of Regulations and published on February 22, 2016 with comment requested until March 25, 2016.  It will also be placed on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall and available for comments to be posted electronically.

At its first meeting following the close of comment, scheduled for May 20, 2016, the Board will consider the request to amend regulations and all comment received in support or opposition.

The Board decided to take no action on the petition because the time-limited waiver was never intended to be an on-going pathway to licensure.  The regulation expired more than 12 years ago and was opposed by the Va. Association of Clinical Counselors at the time of its adoption as allowing less qualified practitioners to practice independently in the mental health and substance abuse area.