Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

Final Text

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Action:
Requirements for residency; endorsement portability
Stage: Final
 
18VAC115-20-10

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:

"Appraisal activities"

"Board"

"Counseling"

"Counseling treatment intervention"

"Professional counselor"

B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Applicant" means any individual who has submitted an official application and paid the application fee for licensure as a professional counselor.

"CACREP" means 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.

"Competency area" means an area in which a person possesses knowledge and skill and the ability to apply them in the clinical setting.

"COAMFTE" means the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

[ "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.

"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 supervised, planned, practical, advanced experience obtained in the clinical setting, observing and applying the principles, methods and techniques learned in training or educational settings.

"Jurisdiction" means a state, territory, district, province or country which 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 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 United States Secretary of Education responsible for accrediting senior postsecondary institutions.

"Residency" means a post-internship, supervised, clinical experience registered with the board.

"Resident" means an individual who has submitted a supervisory contract and has received board approval 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 face-to-face individual or group consultation, guidance and instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-103, 54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR560-01-02 §1.1, eff. July 6, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 5, Issue 24, eff. September 27, 1989; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 9, Issue 25, eff. October 6, 1993; Volume 16, Issue 13, eff. April 12, 2000; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-20-45

18VAC115-20-45. Prerequisites for licensure by endorsement.

A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit in one package the following:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing fee;

3. Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement the applicant shall have no unresolved action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis;

4. Documentation of having completed education and experience requirements substantially equivalent to those in effect in Virginia at the time of initial licensure as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials as specified in subsection B of this section;

5. Verification of a passing score on a licensure examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained; and

6. An affidavit of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of professional counseling in Virginia.

B. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall meet one of the following:

1. Educational requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-20-49 and 18VAC115-20-51 and experience requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-20-52; or

2. If an applicant does not have educational and experience credentials consistent with those required by this chapter, he shall provide:

a. Documentation of education and supervised experience that met the requirements of the jurisdiction in which he was initially licensed as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials; and

b. Evidence of clinical practice for five of the last six years immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia.

3. In lieu of transcripts verifying education and documentation verifying supervised experience, the board may accept verification from the credentials registry of the American Association of State Counseling Boards or any other board-recognized entity.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-103, 54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 13, eff. April 12, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-20-49

18VAC115-20-49. Degree program requirements.

A. Programs that are approved by CACREP [ or CORE ] are recognized as meeting the definition of graduate degree programs that prepare individuals to practice counseling and counseling treatment intervention as defined in §54.1-3500 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The applicant shall have completed a graduate degree from a program that prepares individuals to practice counseling and counseling treatment intervention, as defined in §54.1-3500 of the Code of Virginia, which is offered by a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency and which meets the following criteria:

1. There must be a sequence of academic study with the expressed intent to prepare counselors as documented by the institution;

2. There must be an identifiable counselor training faculty and an identifiable body of students who complete that sequence of academic study; and

3. The academic unit must have clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty areas.

Statutory Authority

§§54.1-103, 54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 13, eff. April 12, 2000; Errata, 16:16 VA.R. 2081 April 24, 2000.

18VAC115-20-51

18VAC115-20-51. Coursework requirements.

A. The applicant shall have completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study in the following core areas with a minimum of three semester hours or 4.5 4.0 quarter hours in each of the areas identified in subdivisions 1 through 12 of this subsection:

1. Professional identity, function and ethics;

2. Theories of counseling and psychotherapy;

3. Counseling and psychotherapy techniques;

4. Human growth and development;

5. Group counseling and psychotherapy, theories and techniques;

6. Career counseling and development theories and techniques;

7. Appraisal, evaluation and diagnostic procedures;

8. Abnormal behavior and psychopathology;

9. Multicultural counseling, theories and techniques;

10. Research;

11. Diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders;

12. Marriage and family systems theory; and

13. Supervised internship of 600 hours to include 240 hours of face-to-face client contact.

B. If 60 graduate hours in counseling were completed prior to April 12, 2000, the board may accept those hours if they meet the regulations in effect at the time the 60 hours were completed.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-103, 54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 13, eff. April 12, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-20-52

18VAC115-20-52. Residency.

A. Registration.

1. Applicants who render counseling services in a nonexempt setting shall:

a. With their supervisor, register their supervisory contract on the appropriate forms for board approval before starting to practice under supervision;

b. Have submitted an official transcript documenting a graduate degree as specified in 18VAC115-20-49 to include completion of the internship requirement specified in 18VAC115-20-50 or 18VAC115-20-51; and

c. Pay the registration fee.

2. Applicants After(effective date of regulations) September 3, 2008 ], applicants who are beginning their residencies in exempt settings may shall register supervision with the board to assure acceptability at the time of application.

B. Residency requirements.

1. The applicant for licensure shall have completed a 4,000-hour supervised residency in counseling practice with various populations, clinical problems and theoretical approaches in the following areas:

a. Counseling and psychotherapy techniques;

b. Appraisal, evaluation and diagnostic procedures;

c. Treatment planning and implementation;

d. Case management and recordkeeping;

e. Professional identity and function; and

f. Professional ethics and standards of practice.

2. The residency shall include a minimum of 200 hours of face-to-face sessions supervision between supervisor and resident occurring at a minimum of one hour and a maximum oftwo four ] hours per 20 40 hours of work experience during the period of the residency. No more than half of these hours may be satisfied with group supervision. One hour of group supervision will be deemed equivalent to one hour of face-to-face individual supervision. Face-to-face supervision Supervision that is not coincident concurrent with a residency will not be accepted, nor will residency hours be accrued in the absence of approved face-to-face supervision.

3. The residency shall include 2,000 hours of face-to-face client contact.

4. A graduate-level internship completed in a program that meets the requirements set forth in 18VAC115-20-49 may count for no more than 600 hours of the required 4,000 hours of experience. The internship shall include 20 hours of face-to-face individual on-site supervision, and 20 hours of face-to-face individual or group off-site supervision. In order to count toward the residency, internship hours shall not begin until completion of 30 semester hours toward the graduate degree.

5. A graduate-level degree internship completed in a CACREP- [ , CORE- ] or CORE-approved COAMFTE-approved program in mental health counseling may count for no more than 900 of the required 4,000 hours of experience.

6. In order for any graduate-level internship to be counted toward a residency, either the clinical or faculty supervisor shall be licensed as set forth in subsection C of this section.

7. The board may consider special requests in the event that the regulations create an undue burden in regard to geography or disability which limits the resident's access to qualified supervision.

8. For applicants enrolled in an integrated course of study in an accredited institution leading to a graduate degree beyond the master's level, supervised experience may begin after the completion of 30 graduate semester hours or 45 graduate quarter hours, including an internship, and shall include graduate course work in the core areas as prescribed in 18VAC115-20-50 or 18VAC115-20-51.

9. 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 and the supervisor's name, professional address, and phone number.

10. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision in any areas for which they have not had appropriate education.

C. Supervisory requirements qualifications. A person who provides supervision for a resident in professional counseling shall document:

1. Document two years of post-licensure clinical experience; have

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 (Persons who have provided supervision for a residency prior to(effective date of regulations) September 3, 2008, ] shall complete such coursework or continuing education by(two years from the effective date of regulations) September 3, 2010 ] ; and shall be licensed

3. Shall hold an active, unrestricted license as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, substance abuse treatment practitioner, school psychologist, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, or psychiatrist in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided. At least one-half 100 hours of the individual face-to-face supervision shall be rendered by a licensed professional counselor.

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.

D 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 which were in effect at the time the supervision was rendered.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-103, 54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 13, eff. April 12, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-20-120

Part V
Advisory Committees

18VAC115-20-120. Advisory committees. (Repealed.)

A. The board may establish examining and advisory committees to assist it in evaluating candidates for licensure.

B. The board may establish an advisory committee to evaluate the mental and emotional competence of any licensee or candidate for licensure when such competence is in issue before the board.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and 54.1-3503 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR560-01-02 §5.1, eff. July 6, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 5, Issue 24, eff. September 27, 1989; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 9, Issue 25, eff. October 6, 1993; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-50-10

Part VI V
Standards of Practice; Unprofessional Conduct; Disciplinary Actions; Reinstatement

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:

"CACREP" means the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs.

"COAMFTE" means the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

"Internship" means a supervised, planned, practical, advanced experience obtained in the clinical setting observing and applying the principles, methods and techniques learned in training or educational settings.

"Regional accrediting agency" means one of the regional accreditation agencies recognized by the United States Secretary of Education as responsible for accrediting senior post-secondary institutions and training programs.

"Residency" means a post-internship, supervised clinical experience registered with the board.

"Resident" means an individual who has submitted a supervisory contract to the board and has received 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, face-to-face individual or group consultation, guidance, and instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person or persons being supervised.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 19, eff. July 9, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-50-40

18VAC115-50-40. Application for licensure by endorsement.

A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit in one package:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing and initial licensure fee prescribed in 18VAC115-50-20; and

3. Documentation of licensure as follows:

a. Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement the applicant shall have no unresolved action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis;

a b. Documentation of a current marriage and family therapy license in good standing obtained by standards substantially equivalent to those outlined in 18VAC115-50-50, 18VAC115-50-55, 18VAC115-50-60 and 18VAC115-50-70 as verified by a current official transcript and certified copy of the original application materials specified in subsection B of this section; or

b c. If currently holding an unrestricted license as a professional counselor in Virginia, documentation of successful completion of the requirements set forth in 18VAC115-50-50, 18VAC115-50-55 and 18VAC115-50-60.

B. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall meet one of the following:

1. Educational requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-50-50 and 18VAC115-50-55 and experience requirements consistent with those specified in 18VAC115-50-60; or

2. If an applicant does not have educational and experience credentials consistent with those required by this chapter, he shall provide:

a. Documentation of education and supervised experience that met the requirements of the jurisdiction in which he was initially licensed as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials; and

b. Evidence of clinical practice for five of the last six years immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia.

3. In lieu of transcripts verifying education and documentation verifying supervised experience, the board may accept verification from the credentials registry of the American Association of State Counseling Boards or any other board-recognized entity.

Statutory Authority

§§54.1-113 and 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 19, eff. July 9, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; Volume 16, Issue 13, eff. April 12, 2000; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-50-55

18VAC115-50-55. Course work requirements.

A. The applicant shall have completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study in the following core areas with a minimum of six semester hours or nine quarter hours completed in each of core areas identified in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, and three semester hours or 4.5 4.0 quarter hours in each of the core areas identified in subdivisions 3 through 6 of this subsection (suggested courses are listed in parentheses after each core area):

1. Marriage and family studies (marital and family development; family systems theory);

2. Marriage and family therapy (systemic therapeutic interventions and application of major theoretical approaches);

3. Human development (theories of counseling; psychotherapy techniques with individuals; human growth and lifespan development; personality theory; psychopathology; human sexuality; multicultural issues);

4. Professional studies (professional identity and function; ethical and legal issues);

5. Research (research methods; quantitative methods; statistics);

6. Assessment and treatment (appraisal, assessment and diagnostic procedures); and

7. Supervised internship of 600 hours to include 240 hours of direct client contact. Three hundred of the internship hours and 120 of the direct client contact hours shall be with couples and families.

B. If the graduate hours in marriage and family therapy were begun prior to January 19, 2000, the board may accept those hours if they meet the requirements which were in effect on July 9, 1997.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-50-60

18VAC115-50-60. Residency.

A. Registration.

1. Applicants who render counseling services in a nonexempt setting shall:

a. With their supervisor, register their supervisory contract on the appropriate forms for board approval before starting to practice under supervision;

b. Have submitted an official transcript documenting a graduate degree as specified in 18VAC115-50-50 to include completion of the internship requirement specified in 18VAC115-50-55; and

c. Pay the registration fee.

2. Applicants After(effective date of regulations) September 3, 2008 ], applicants who are beginning their residencies in exempt settings may shall register supervision with the board to assure acceptability at the time of application.  

B. Residency requirements.

1. The applicant shall have completed at least two years of supervised post-graduate degree experience, representing no fewer than 4,000 hours of supervised work experience, to include 200 hours of face-to-face supervision with the supervisor in the practice of marriage and family therapy. Residents shall receive a minimum of one hour and a maximum oftwo four ] hours of face-to-face supervision for every 20 40 hours of supervised work experience. 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 face-to-face individual supervision.

2. Of the 4,000 hours stipulated, at least 2,000 hours must be acquired in direct client contact of which 1,000 hours shall be with couples or families or both.

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 completed in a program that meets the requirements set forth in 18VAC115-50-50 may count for no more than 600 of the required 4,000 hours of experience. The internship shall include 20 hours of face-to-face individual on-site supervision, and 20 hours of face-to-face individual or group off-site supervision. Internship hours shall not begin until completion of 30 semester hours toward the graduate degree.

6. A graduate-level degree internship completed in a COAMFTE-approved program or a CACREP-approved program in marriage and family counseling/therapy may count for no more than 900 of the required 4,000 hours of experience.

6. 7. In order for a graduate level internship to be counted toward a residency, either the clinical or faculty supervisor shall be licensed as set forth in subsection C of this section.

7. 8. Residents shall not call themselves marriage and family therapists, solicit clients, bill for services rendered or in any way represent themselves as marriage and family therapists. During the residency, they 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, along with the name, address and telephone number of the resident's supervisor.

8. 9. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision in any areas for which they do not have appropriate education.

9. 10. Residents who do not become candidates for licensure after five years of supervised training shall submit an explanation to the board stating reasons the residency should be allowed to continue.

C. Supervisory requirements qualifications. 1. A person who provides supervision for a resident in marriage and family therapy shall: be licensed

a. 1. ] Hold an active, unrestricted license as a marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker or psychiatrist in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided. ;

b. 2. ] Supervisors shall document Document two years post-licensure marriage and family therapy experience; and

c. 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. Persons who have provided supervision for a residency prior to(effective date of regulations) September 3, 2008, ] shall complete such coursework or continuing education by(two years from the effective date of regulations) September 3, 2010 ] .

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 assume full responsibility for the clinical activities of residents as specified within the supervisory contract, for the duration of the residency.  

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 19, eff. July 9, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-60-10

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:

"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 Education 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.

"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.

"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 supervised, planned, practical, advanced experience obtained in the clinical setting, observing and applying the principles, methods and techniques learned in training or educational settings.

"Jurisdiction" means a state, territory, district, province or country which 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 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 United States Secretary of Education responsible for accrediting senior postsecondary institutions.

"Residency" means a post-internship, supervised, clinical experience registered with the board.

"Resident" means an individual who has submitted a supervisory contract and has received board approval 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 face-to-face individual or group consultation, guidance and instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-60-50

18VAC115-60-50. Prerequisites for licensure by endorsement.

A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit in one package:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing and initial licensure fee;

3. Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement, the applicant shall have no unresolved disciplinary action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis;

4. Further documentation of one of the following:

a. A current substance abuse treatment license in good standing in another jurisdiction obtained by meeting requirements substantially equivalent to those set forth in this chapter; or

b. A mental health license in good standing in a category acceptable to the board which required completion of a master's degree in mental health to include 60 graduate semester hours in mental health; and

(1) Board-recognized national certification in substance abuse treatment;

(2) If the master's degree was in substance abuse treatment, two years of post-licensure experience in providing substance abuse treatment;

(3) If the master's degree was not in substance abuse treatment, five years of post-licensure experience in substance abuse treatment plus 12 credit hours of didactic training in the substance abuse treatment competencies set forth in 18VAC115-60-70 C; or

(4) Current substance abuse counselor certification in Virginia in good standing or a Virginia substance abuse treatment specialty licensure designation with two years of post-licensure or certification substance abuse treatment experience;

c. Documentation of education and supervised experience that met the requirements of the jurisdiction in which he was initially licensed as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials and evidence of clinical practice for five of the last six years immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia.

5. Verification of a passing score on a licensure examination as established by the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained;

6. Official transcripts documenting the applicant's completion of the education requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60 and 18VAC115-60-70; and

7. An affidavit of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of substance abuse treatment in Virginia.

B. In lieu of transcripts verifying education and documentation verifying supervised experience, the board may accept verification from the credentials registry of the American Association of State Counseling Boards or any other board-recognized entity.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 18, eff. June 20, 2001; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-60-70

18VAC115-60-70. Course work requirements.

A. The applicant shall have completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study.

B. The applicant shall have completed a general core curriculum containing a minimum of three semester hours or 4.5 4.0 quarter hours in each of the areas identified in this section:

1. Professional identity, function and ethics;

2. Theories of counseling and psychotherapy;

3. Counseling and psychotherapy techniques;

4. Group counseling and psychotherapy, theories and techniques;

5. Appraisal, evaluation and diagnostic procedures;

6. Abnormal behavior and psychopathology;

7. Multicultural counseling, theories and techniques;

8. Research; and

9. Marriage and family systems theory.

C. The applicant shall also have completed 12 graduate semester credit hours or 18 graduate quarter hours in the following substance abuse treatment competencies.

1. Assessment, appraisal, evaluation and diagnosis specific to substance abuse;

2. Treatment planning models, client case management, interventions and treatments to include relapse prevention, referral process, step models and documentation process;

3. Understanding addictions: The biochemical, sociocultural and psychological factors of substance use and abuse;

4. Addictions and special populations including, but not limited to, adolescents, women, ethnic groups and the elderly; and

5. Client and community education.

D. The applicant shall have completed a supervised internship of 600 hours to include 240 hours of direct client contact. At least 450 of the internship hours and 200 of the direct client contact hours shall be in treating substance abuse-specific treatment problems.

E. One course may satisfy study in more than one content area set forth in subsections B and C of this section.

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.

18VAC115-60-80

18VAC115-60-80. Residency.

A. Registration. Applicants who render substance abuse treatment services in a nonexempt setting shall:

1. With their supervisor, register their supervisory contract on the appropriate forms for board approval before starting to practice under supervision;

2. Have submitted an official transcript documenting a graduate degree as specified in 18VAC115-60-60 to include completion of the internship requirement specified in 18VAC115-60-70; and

3. Pay the registration fee.

B. Applicants After(effective date of regulations) September 3, 2008 ], applicants who are beginning their residencies in exempt settings may shall register supervision with the board to assure acceptability at the time of application.

C. Residency requirements.

1. The applicant for licensure shall have completed a 4,000 hour 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 face-to-face sessions supervision between supervisor and resident occurring at [ a ] minimum of one hour and a maximum oftwo four ] hours per 20 40 hours of work experience during the period of the residency. No more than half of these hours may be satisfied with group supervision. One hour of group supervision will be deemed equivalent to one hour of face-to-face individual supervision. Face-to-face supervision Supervision that is not coincident concurrent with a residency will not be accepted, nor will residency hours [ be ] accrued in the absence of approved face-to-face supervision.

3. The residency shall include at least 2,000 hours of face-to-face client contact with individuals, families or groups of individuals suffering from the effects of substance abuse or dependence.

4. A graduate level degree internship completed in a program that meets the requirements set forth in 18VAC115-60-70 may count for no more than 600 hours of the required 4,000 hours of experience. The internship shall include 20 hours of face-to-face individual on-site supervision, and 20 hours of face-to-face individual or group off-site supervision. Internship hours shall not begin until completion of 30 semester hours toward the graduate degree.

5. A graduate-level degree internship completed in a COAMFTE- or CACREP-approved program may count for no more than 900 of the required 4,000 hours of experience.

5. 6. In order for a graduate level internship to be counted toward a residency, either the clinical or faculty supervisor shall be licensed as set forth in subsection D of this section.

6. 7. The board may consider special requests in the event that the regulations create an undue burden in regard to geography or disability which limits the resident's access to qualified supervision.

7. 8. 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, the supervisor's name, professional address, and telephone number.

8. 9. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision in any areas for which they have not had appropriate education.

D. Supervisory requirements qualifications.

1. A person who provides supervision for a resident in substance abuse treatment shall be licensed hold an active, unrestricted license as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, substance abuse treatment practitioner, school psychologist, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, clinical nurse specialist or psychiatrist in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided.

2. All supervisors shall document two years post-licensure substance abuse treatment experience, 100 hours of didactic instruction in substance abuse treatment, and training or experience in supervision. Within three years of January 19, 2000, 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.

3. 1. Supervision by any individual whose relationship to the resident compromises the objectivity of the supervisor is prohibited.

4. 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.

5. 3. The supervisor shall complete evaluation forms to be given to the resident at the end of each three-month period.

6. 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.

E 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. Supervised experience obtained prior to January 19, 2000, may be accepted towards licensure if this supervised experience met the board's requirements which were in effect at the time the supervision was rendered.   

Statutory Authority

§54.1-2400 and Chapter 35 (§54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 7, eff. January 19, 2000; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.