To amendment section 18VAC115-50-55 to reduce the required internship number of hours of experience with couples and families from 200 of the 240 to 120 of the required 240 hours.

In accordance with Virginia law, the petition will be filed with the Register of Regulations and published on October 14, 2019 with comment requested until November 13, 2019.  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, which is scheduled for February 7, 2010, the Board will consider the request to amend regulations and all comment received in support or opposition.  The petitioner will be informed of the board’s response and any action it approves.

The Board reviewed all comments and discussed the request at its meeting on November 22, 2019.

 While Board members expressed an understanding of the challenge that the requirement can present, it reiterated the need for someone seeking a license as a marriage and family therapist to have significant direct client contact with couples and families. Therefore, its decision was to not initiate rulemaking.

 In adopting proposed amendments resulting from an overall review of regulations, the Board has proposed to allow a person who was unable to complete all required hours in an internship to make up the deficient hours in his or her residency. Once the proposed regulations are finalized, that may alleviate the problem some applicants have faced.