The petitioner requests that the Board amend 18VAC115-60-90 to permit licensed clinical social workers licensed for ten years or more who also hold a certification as a substance abuse counselor and have practiced within the last five years (60 months) have the examination requirement to become a licensed substance abuse treatment provider waived, similar to an exemption for licensed professional counselors applying to become LSATPs. 

The petition for rulemaking will be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations on April 7, 2025. The petition will also be published on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment, which will open on April 7, 2025 and will close on May 7, 2025. The Board will consider the petition and all comments in support or opposition at the next meeting after the close of public comment, currently scheduled for July 25, 2025. The petitioner will be notified of the Board’s decision after that meeting.

At its July 25, 2025 meeting, the Board voted to take no action on the petition. While the Board is supportive of the petition, they would like to send this issue to the regulatory committee to consider other license types that should be exempted from the required examination to become a LSATP. This issue will also be considered as part of the upcoming periodic review of regulations.