Source: https://www.townhall.virginia.gov/l/ViewXML.cfm?textid=13509
Timestamp: 2019-12-09 15:02:09
Document Index: 401953134

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 32', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 54', '§ 32', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 54', '§ 32', '§ 54']

7/15/19 10:49 AM [latest] 7/12/19 10:50 AM 2/28/19 2:02 PM
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:
"Professional counselor"
B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Ancillary counseling services" means activities such as case management, recordkeeping, referral, and coordination of services.
"Applicant" means any individual who has submitted an official application and paid the application fee for licensure as a professional counselor.
"CACREP" means the 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.
"Clinical counseling services" means activities such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment implementation.
"Competency area" means an area in which a person possesses knowledge and skill and the ability to apply them in the clinical setting.
"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.
"Face-to-face" means the in-person delivery of clinical counseling services for a client or the use of visual, real-time, interactive, secured technology for delivery of such services.
"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 a formal academic course from a regionally accredited college or university in which supervised, practical experience is obtained in a clinical setting in the application of counseling principles, methods, and techniques.
"Jurisdiction" means a state, territory, district, province, or country that 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 that 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 U.S. Secretary of Education responsible for accrediting senior postsecondary institutions.
"Residency" means a postgraduate, 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 individual or group consultation, guidance, and instruction that is specific to the clinical counseling services being performed with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised.
18VAC115-20-20. Fees required by the board.
A. The board has established the following fees applicable to licensure as a professional counselor:
Active annual license renewal
Inactive annual license renewal
Initial licensure by examination: Application processing and initial licensure
Initial licensure by endorsement: Application processing and initial licensure
Registration of supervision
Add or change supervisor or the work site of supervision
Verification of licensure to another jurisdiction
Replacement of or additional wall certificate
B. All fees are nonrefundable.
C. Examination fees shall be determined and made payable as determined by the board.
18VAC115-20-40. Prerequisites for licensure by examination.
Every applicant for licensure examination by the board shall:
1. Meet the degree program requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-49, the course work requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-51, and the experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-52;
2. Pass the licensure examination specified by the board;
3. Submit the following to the board:
a. A completed application;
b. Official transcripts documenting the applicant's completion of the degree program and coursework requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-20-49 and 18VAC115-20-51. Transcripts previously submitted for registration of supervision do not have to be resubmitted unless additional coursework was subsequently obtained;
c. Verification of Supervision forms documenting fulfillment of the residency requirements of 18VAC115-20-52 and copies of all required evaluation forms, including verification of current licensure of the supervisor if any portion of the residency occurred in another jurisdiction;
d. Verification of any other mental health or health professional license or certificate ever held in another jurisdiction;
e. The application processing and initial licensure fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-20-20; and
f. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
4. Have no unresolved disciplinary action against a mental health or health professional license, or certificate, or registration held in Virginia or in another jurisdiction. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis.
18VAC115-20-45. Prerequisites for licensure by endorsement.
A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall hold or have held a professional counselor license for independent clinical practice in another jurisdiction of the United States and shall submit the following:
2. The application processing fee and initial licensure fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-20-20;
3. Verification of all mental health or health professional licenses, or certificates, or registrations the applicant holds or has 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 as specified in subsection B of this section;
5. Verification of a passing score on an examination required for counseling licensure in the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained;
6. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
7. An affidavit attestation 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. 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; or
2. If an applicant does not have In lieu of documentation of educational and experience credentials consistent with those required by this chapter, he shall the applicant may 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 post-licensure clinical practice in counseling, as defined in § 54.1-3500 of the Code of Virginia, at the highest level for independent practice for 24 of the last 60 months immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia. Clinical practice shall mean the rendering of direct clinical counseling services, or clinical supervision of counseling services or teaching graduate-level courses in counseling; or
3. In lieu of transcripts verifying education and documentation verifying supervised experience, the board may accept verification
b. Verification from the credentials registry of the American Association of State Counseling Boards, of the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential from the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) or any other board-recognized entity.;
c. Evidence of an active license at the highest level of counselor licensure for independent practice for at least 10 years prior to the date of application; or
d. Evidence of an active license at the highest level of counselor licensure for independent practice for at least three years prior to the date of application and one of the following:
(1) The National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, in good standing, as issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); or
(2) A graduate-level degree from a program accredited in clinical mental health counseling by CACREP.
18VAC115-20-51. Coursework requirements.
A. The applicant shall have successfully completed the requirements for a degree in a program accredited by CACREP in clinical mental health counseling or any other specialty approved by the board; or
B. The applicant shall have successfully completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study in the following core coursework with a minimum of three semester hours or 4.0 quarter hours in each of subdivisions 1 through 12 of this subsection:
1. Professional counseling 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 as a formal academic course of at least 600 hours to include 240 hours of face-to-face client contact. Only internship hours earned after completion of 30 graduate semester hours may be counted towards residency hours. If the academic course was less than 600 hours, the board may approve completion of the deficient hours to be added to the hours required for residency.
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.
2. The 3,400-hour residency shall include a minimum of 200 hours of in-person supervision between supervisor and resident in the consultation and review of clinical counseling services provided by the resident. Supervision shall occur at a minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours per 40 hours of work experience during the period of the residency. For the purpose of meeting the 200-hour supervision requirement, in-person may include the use of secured technology that maintains client confidentiality and provides real-time, visual contact between the supervisor and the resident. Up to 20 hours of the supervision received during the supervised internship may be counted towards the 200 hours of in-person supervision if the supervision was provided by a licensed professional counselor.
7. The residency shall be completed in not less than 21 months or more than four years from the start of the residency. Residents who began a residency before August 24, 2016, shall complete the residency by August 24, 2020. A resident may request and the board may approve an interruption of the residency for a period of no more than three years. An individual who does not complete the residency after four years shall submit evidence to the board showing why the supervised experience should be allowed to continue.
8. The board may consider special requests in the event that the regulations create an undue burden in regard to geography or disability that limits the resident's access to qualified supervision.
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.
11. Residency hours shall be accepted if they were approved by the licensing board in another United States jurisdiction and completed in that jurisdiction and if that those hours meet are consistent with the requirements of subsection B of this section shall be accepted.
3. Shall hold an active, unrestricted license as a professional counselor or a marriage and family therapist in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided. At least 100 hours of the supervision shall be rendered by a licensed professional counselor. Supervisors who are substance abuse treatment practitioners, school psychologists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, or psychiatrists and have been approved to provide supervision may continue to do so until August 24, 2017.
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, regardless of whether the supervisor is on-site or off-site at the location where services are provided by the resident.
3. The supervisor shall ensure accountability for the resident's adherence to residency requirements of this section.
3.4. The supervisor shall complete evaluation forms to be given to the resident at the end of each three-month period.
4.5. 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.
5.6. The supervisor shall provide supervision as defined in 18VAC115-20-10.
7. The supervisor shall maintain copies of quarterly reports to the board for five years after termination or completion of supervision.
18VAC115-20-70. General examination requirements; schedules; time limits.
A. Every applicant for initial licensure by examination by the board as a professional counselor shall pass a written examination as prescribed by the board. An applicant is required to pass the prescribed examination within six years from the date of initial approval of the residency or within no more seven years if the board has granted an interruption or extension of the residency.
B. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall have passed a licensure examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained.
C. A candidate approved to sit for the examination shall pass the examination within two years from the date of such initial approval. If the candidate has not passed the examination by the end of the two-year period here prescribed:
1. The initial approval to sit for the examination shall then become invalid; and
2. The applicant shall file a new application with the board, meet the requirements in effect at that time, and provide evidence of why the board should approve the reapplication for examination. If approved by the board, the applicant shall pass the examination within two years of such approval. If the examination is not passed within the additional two-year period, a new application will not be accepted.
D. The board shall establish a passing score on the written examination.
E.C. A candidate for examination or an applicant shall not provide clinical counseling services unless he is under supervision approved by the board.
18VAC115-20-106. Continuing competency activity criteria.
1. Ethics, standards of practice, or laws governing behavioral science professions;
6. Group dynamics, processing, and counseling;
1. Formally organized learning activities or home study. Activities may be counted at their full hour value. Hours shall be obtained from one or a combination of the following board-approved, mental health-related activities:
a. Regionally accredited university or college level academic courses in a behavioral health discipline.
b. Continuing education programs offered by universities or colleges.
c. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by federal, state, or local governmental agencies or licensed health facilities and licensed hospitals.
d. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by an individual or organization that has been certified or approved by one of the following:
(1) The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and its state affiliates.
(2) The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and its state affiliates.
(6) The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
(8) National Association of Social Workers.
(9) National Board for Certified Counselors.
(12) The American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
2. Individual professional activities.
a. Publication/presentation/new program development.
(1) Publication of articles. Activity will count for a maximum of eight hours. Publication activities are limited to articles in refereed journals or a chapter in an edited book.
(2) Publication of books. Activity will count for a maximum of 18 hours.
(4) New program development. Activity will count for a maximum of eight hours. New program development includes a new course, seminar, or workshop. New courses shall be graduate or undergraduate level college or university courses.
(5) Attendance at board meetings or disciplinary proceedings. Activity shall count for actual time of meeting or proceeding for a maximum of two hours during one renewal period.
b. Dissertation. Activity will count for a maximum of 18 hours. Dissertation credit may only be counted once.
c. Clinical supervision/consultation. Activity will count for a maximum of 10 six hours. Continuing competency can only be granted for clinical supervision/consultation received on a regular basis with a set agenda. Continuing competency cannot be granted for supervision provided to others.
d. Leadership. Activity will count for a maximum of eight hours. The following leadership positions are acceptable for continuing competency credit: officer of state or national counseling organization; editor and/or or reviewer of professional counseling journals; member of state counseling licensure/certification board; member of a national counselor certification board; member of a national ethics disciplinary review committee rendering licenses; active member of a counseling committee producing a substantial written product; chair of a major counseling conference or convention; or other leadership positions with justifiable professional learning experiences. The leadership positions must take place for a minimum of one year after the date of first licensure.
e. Practice related programs. Activity will count up to a maximum of eight hours. The board may allow up to eight contact hours of continuing competency as long as the regulant submits proof of attendance plus a written justification of how the activity assists him in his direct service of his clients. Examples include language courses, software training, and medical topics, etc.
18VAC115-20-107. Documenting compliance with continuing competency requirements.
A. All licensees are required to maintain original documentation for a period of two years following renewal.
B. After the end of each renewal period, the board may conduct a random audit of licensees to verify compliance with the requirement for that renewal period.
1. To document completion of formal organized learning activities, the licensee shall provide:
a. Official transcripts showing credit hours earned; or
a. Certificates of participation;
b. Proof of presentations made;
c. Reprints of publications;
d. Letters from educational institutions or agencies approving continuing education programs;
e. Official notification from the association that sponsored the item writing workshop or continuing education program; or
f. Documentation of attendance at formal staffing or participation in clinical supervision/consultation by a signed affidavit attestation on a form provided by the board.
D. Continuing competency hours required by a disciplinary order shall not be used to satisfy renewal requirements.
18VAC115-20-110. Late renewal; reinstatement.
A. A person whose license has expired may renew it within one year after its expiration date by paying the late fee prescribed in 18VAC115-20-20 as well as the license renewal fee prescribed for the year the license was not renewed and providing evidence of having met all applicable continuing competency requirements.
B. A person who fails to renew a license after one year or more and wishes to resume practice shall: (i) apply for reinstatement,; (ii) pay the reinstatement fee for a lapsed license,; (iii) submit verification of any mental health license he holds or has held in another jurisdiction, if applicable, (iv) provide a current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and (v) provide evidence of having met all applicable continuing competency requirements not to exceed a maximum of 80 hours. The board may require the applicant for reinstatement to submit evidence regarding the continued ability to perform the functions within the scope of practice of the license.
C. A person wishing to reactivate an inactive license shall submit (i) the renewal fee for active licensure minus any fee already paid for inactive licensure renewal; (ii) documentation of continued competency hours equal to the number of years the license has been inactive not to exceed a maximum of 80 hours; and (iii) verification of any mental health license he holds or has held in another jurisdiction, if applicable. The board may require the applicant for reactivation to submit evidence regarding the continued ability to perform the functions within the scope of practice of the license.
Standards of Practice; Unprofessional Conduct; Disciplinary Actions; Reinstatement
18VAC115-20-130. Standards of practice.
A. The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare and the best interest of the public shall be the primary guide in determining the appropriate professional conduct of all persons whose activities are regulated by the board. Regardless of the delivery method, whether in person, by phone, or electronically, these standards shall apply to the practice of counseling.
B. Persons licensed or registered by the board shall:
1. Practice in a manner that is in the best interest of the public and does not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare;
2. Practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, and appropriate professional experience and represent their education, training, and experience accurately to clients;
3. Stay abreast of new counseling information, concepts, applications, and practices that are necessary to providing appropriate, effective professional services;
4. Be able to justify all services rendered to clients as necessary and appropriate for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes;
5. Document the need for and steps taken to terminate a counseling relationship when it becomes clear that the client is not benefiting from the relationship. Document the assistance provided in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of treatment for clients, when necessary, following termination of a counseling relationship;
6. Make appropriate arrangements for continuation of services, when necessary, during interruptions such as vacations, unavailability, relocation, illness, and disability;
7. Disclose to clients all experimental methods of treatment and inform clients of the risks and benefits of any such treatment. Ensure that the welfare of the clients is in no way compromised in any experimentation or research involving those clients;
8. Neither accept nor give commissions, rebates, or other forms of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services;
9. Inform clients of the purposes, goals, techniques, procedures, limitations, potential risks, and benefits of services to be performed; the limitations of confidentiality; and other pertinent information when counseling is initiated and throughout the counseling process as necessary. Provide clients with accurate information regarding the implications of diagnosis, the intended use of tests and reports, fees, and billing arrangements;
10. Select tests for use with clients that are valid, reliable, and appropriate and carefully interpret the performance of individuals not represented in standardized norms;
11. Determine whether a client is receiving services from another mental health service provider professional, and if so, refrain from providing services to the client without having an informed consent discussion with the client and having been granted communication privileges with the other professional document efforts to coordinate care;
12. Use only in connection with one's practice as a mental health professional those educational and professional degrees or titles that have been earned at a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or credentials granted by a national certifying agency, and that are counseling in nature; and
13. Advertise professional services fairly and accurately in a manner that is not false, misleading, or deceptive, including adherence to provision of 18VAC115-20-52 on requirements for representation to the public by residents in counseling;
14. Make appropriate referrals based on the interest of the client; and
15. Not willfully or negligently breach the confidentiality between a practitioner and a client. A breach of confidentiality that is required or permitted by applicable law, or is beyond the control of the practitioner, shall not be considered negligent or willful.
C. In regard to patient records, persons licensed or registered by the board shall:
1. Maintain written or electronic clinical records for each client to include treatment dates and identifying information to substantiate diagnosis and treatment plan, client progress, and termination;
2. Maintain timely, accurate, legible, and complete client records securely, inform all employees of the requirements of confidentiality, and provide for the destruction of records that are no longer useful in a manner that ensures client confidentiality;
3. Disclose or release records to others only with the client's expressed written consent or that of the client's legally authorized representative in accordance with § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia;
4. Ensure confidentiality in the usage of client records and clinical materials by obtaining informed consent from the client or the client's legally authorized representative before (i) videotaping, (ii) audio recording, (iii) permitting third party observation, or (iv) using identifiable client records and clinical materials in teaching, writing, or public presentations; and
5. Maintain client records for a minimum of five years or as otherwise required by law from the date of termination of the counseling relationship with the following exceptions:
a. At minimum, records of a minor child shall be maintained for five years after attaining the age of majority (18 years) or 10 years following termination, whichever comes later;
b. Records that are required by contractual obligation or federal law to be maintained for a longer period of time; or
c. Records that have been transferred to another mental health service provider or given to the client or his legally authorized representative.
D. In regard to dual or multiple relationships, persons licensed or registered by the board shall:
1. Avoid dual or multiple relationships with clients that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of harm to clients. Examples of such relationships include, but are not limited to, familial, social, financial, business, bartering, or close personal relationships with clients. Counselors shall take appropriate professional precautions when a dual relationship cannot be avoided, such as informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation to ensure that judgment is not impaired and no exploitation or neglect occurs;
2. Not engage in any type of romantic relationships or sexual intimacies with clients or those included in a collateral relationship with the client and not counsel persons with whom they have had a romantic relationship or sexual intimacy. Counselors shall not engage in romantic relationships or sexual intimacies with former clients within a minimum of five years after terminating the counseling relationship. Counselors who engage in such relationship or intimacy after five years following termination shall have the responsibility to examine and document thoroughly that such relations do not have an exploitive nature, based on factors such as duration of counseling, amount of time since counseling, termination circumstances, client's personal history and mental status, or adverse impact on the client. A client's consent to, initiation of, or participation in sexual behavior or involvement with a counselor does not change the nature of the conduct nor lift the regulatory prohibition;
3. Not engage in any romantic relationship or sexual intimacy or establish a counseling or psychotherapeutic relationship with a supervisee person under supervision or student. Counselors shall avoid any nonsexual dual relationship with a supervisee person under supervision or student in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the supervisee person under supervision or student or the potential for interference with the supervisor's professional judgment; and
4. Recognize conflicts of interest and inform all parties of the nature and directions of loyalties and responsibilities involved.
E. Persons licensed or registered by this board shall report to the board known or suspected violations of the laws and regulations governing the practice of professional counseling.
F. Persons licensed or registered by the board shall advise their clients of their right to report to the Department of Health Professions any information of which the licensee may become aware in his professional capacity indicating that there is a reasonable probability that a person licensed or certified as a mental health service provider, as defined in § 54.1-2400.1 of the Code of Virginia, may have engaged in unethical, fraudulent, or unprofessional conduct as defined by the pertinent licensing statutes and regulations.
18VAC115-20-140. Grounds for revocation, suspension, probation, reprimand, censure, or denial of renewal of license or registration.
A. Action by the board to revoke, suspend, deny issuance or renewal of a license, or take disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the following:
1. Conviction of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or violation of or aid to another in violating any provision of Chapter 35 (§ 54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, any other statute applicable to the practice of professional counseling, or any provision of this chapter;
2. Procurement of Procuring, attempting to procure, or maintaining a license or registration, including submission of an application or supervisory forms, by fraud or misrepresentation;
3. Conducting one's practice in such a manner as to make it a danger to the health and welfare of one's clients or to the public, or if one is unable;
4. Demonstrating an inability to practice counseling with reasonable skill and safety to clients by reason of illness, abusive use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or other type of material or result of any mental or substance misuse, or as a result of any mental, emotional, or physical condition.;
4.5. Intentional or negligent conduct that causes or is likely to cause injury to a client or clients;
5.6. Performance of functions outside the demonstrable areas of competency;
6.7. Failure to comply with the continued competency requirements set forth in this chapter;
7.8. Violating or abetting another person in the violation of any provision of any statute applicable to the practice of counseling, or any part or portion of this chapter; or
8.9. Performance of an act likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.;
10. Knowingly allowing persons under supervision to jeopardize client safety or provide care to clients outside of such person's scope of practice or area of responsibility;
11. Having an action taken against a health or mental health license, certification, registration, or application in Virginia or other jurisdiction;
12. Failing to cooperate with an employee of the Department of Health Professions in the conduct of an investigation; or
13. Failing to report evidence of child abuse or neglect as required in § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia, or abuse of aged or incapacitated adults as required in § 63.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia.
B. Following the revocation or suspension of a license, the licensee may petition the board for reinstatement upon good cause shown or as a result of substantial new evidence having been obtained that would alter the determination reached.
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."
"COAMFTE" means the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
"Clinical marriage and family services" means activities such as assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning and treatment implementation for couples and families.
"Face-to-face" means the in-person delivery of clinical marriage and family services for a client or the use of visual, real-time, interactive, secured technology for delivery of such services.
"Internship" means a formal academic course from a regionally accredited university in which supervised practical experience is obtained in a clinical setting in the application of counseling principles, methods, and techniques.
"Regional accrediting agency" means one of the regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as responsible for accrediting senior post-secondary institutions and training programs.
"Residency" means a postgraduate, 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, individual or group consultation, guidance and instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person or persons being supervised.
18VAC115-50-20. Fees.
A. The board has established fees for the following:
Initial licensure by examination: Processing and initial licensure
Initial licensure by endorsement: Processing and initial licensure
Verification of license to another jurisdiction
Additional or replacement licenses
Additional or replacement wall certificates
18VAC115-50-30. Application for licensure by examination.
Every applicant for licensure by examination by the board shall:
1. Meet the education and experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-50-50, 18VAC115-50-55 and 18VAC115-50-60;
2. Meet the examination requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-50-70;
3. Submit to the board office the following items:
b. The application processing and initial licensure fee prescribed in 18VAC115-50-20;
c. Documentation, on the appropriate forms, of the successful completion of the residency requirements of 18VAC115-50-60 along with documentation of the supervisor's out-of-state license where applicable;
d. Official transcript or transcripts submitted from the appropriate institutions of higher education, verifying satisfactory completion of the education requirements set forth in 18VAC115-50-50 and 18VAC115-50-55. Previously submitted transcripts for registration of supervision do not have to be resubmitted unless additional coursework was subsequently obtained;
e. Verification on a board-approved form of any mental health or health out-of-state license, certification, or registration ever held in another jurisdiction; and
18VAC115-50-40. Application for licensure by endorsement.
A. Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall hold or have held a license for the independent clinical practice of marriage and family license therapy in another jurisdiction in the United States and shall submit:
2. The application processing and initial licensure fee prescribed in 18VAC115-50-20;
3. Documentation of licensure as follows:
a. Verification of all mental health or health professional licenses, or certificates, or registrations the applicant holds or has 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; and
b. Documentation of a marriage and family therapy license obtained by standards specified in subsection B of this section;
4. Verification of a passing score on a marriage and family therapy licensure examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained;
5. An affidavit attestation of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of marriage and family therapy in Virginia; and
6. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).
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;
b. Evidence of post-licensure clinical practice as a marriage and family therapist for 24 of the last 60 months immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia. Clinical practice shall mean the rendering of direct clinical services in marriage and family therapy, or clinical supervision of marriage and family services, or teaching graduate level courses in marriage and family therapy; or
b. Evidence of an active license at the highest level of licensure for independent practice of marriage and family therapy for at least 10 years prior to the date of application; or
c. Evidence of an active license at the highest level of licensure for independent practice of marriage and family therapy for at least three years prior to the date of application and a graduate-level degree from a program accredited in marriage and family therapy by COAMFTE or CACREP.
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.
18VAC115-50-55. Coursework requirements.
A. The applicant shall have successfully completed the requirements for a degree in a program accredited by COAMFTE or a marriage and family therapy program accredited by CACREP; or
B. The applicant shall have successfully completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework with:
1. a A minimum of six 12 semester hours or nine 18 quarter hours completed in each of the core areas identified in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, and marriage and family therapy (marital and family development, family systems, theory systemic therapeutic interventions, and application of major theoretical approaches).
2. three Three semester hours or 4.0 quarter hours in each of the following core areas identified in subdivisions 3 through 9 of this subsection:
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.a. Human growth and development across the lifespan;
4.b. Abnormal behaviors;
5.c. Diagnosis and treatment of addictive behaviors;
6.d. Multicultural counseling;
7.e. Professional identity and ethics;
8.f. Research (research methods; quantitative methods; statistics);
9.g. Assessment and treatment (appraisal, assessment and diagnostic procedures); and
10.3. Supervised A supervised internship as a formal academic course of at least 600 hours to include 240 hours of direct client contact, of which 200 hours shall be with couples and families. Only internship hours earned after completion of 30 graduate semester hours may be counted towards residency hours. If the academic course was less than 600 hours, the board may approve completion of the deficient hours to be added to the hours required for residency.
B. If the applicant holds a current, unrestricted license as a professional counselor, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker, the board may accept evidence of successful completion of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study,. including However, the applicant must provide evidence of a minimum of six 12 semester hours or nine 18 quarter hours completed in marriage and family studies (marital and family development; family systems theory) and six semester hours or nine quarter hours completed in marriage and family therapy (systemic therapeutic interventions and application of major theoretical approaches) therapy (marital and family development, family systems, theory systemic therapeutic interventions, and application of major theoretical approaches).
2. The 3,400-hour residency shall include documentation of at least 2,000 hours in face-to-face clinical marriage and family services of which 1,000 hours shall be face-to-face client contact with couples or families or both. The remaining hours of the 3,400-hour residency may be spent in the performance of ancillary counseling services. For applicants who hold current, unrestricted licensure as a professional counselor, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker, the remaining hours may be waived.
3. The residency shall consist of practice in the core areas set forth in 18VAC115-50-55 applicant for licensure shall have completed a 3,400-hour supervised residency in the role of a marriage and family therapist working with various populations, clinical problems, and theoretical approaches in the following areas:
e. Marriage and family therapy identity and function; and
6. 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. Residents shall not call themselves marriage and family therapists, directly 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 board-approved supervisor.
8. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision in any areas for which they do not have appropriate education.
9. The residency shall be completed in not less than 21 months or more than four years from the start of residency. Residents who began a residency before August 24, 2016, shall complete the residency by August 24, 2020. A resident may request and the board may approve an interruption of the residency for a period of no more than three years. An individual who does not complete the residency after four years shall submit evidence to the board showing why the supervised experience should be allowed to continue.
10. Residency hours that are shall be accepted if they were approved by the licensing board in another United States jurisdiction and that meet completed in that jurisdiction and if those hours are consistent with the requirements of subsection B of this section shall be accepted.
11. Supervision that is not concurrent with a residency will not be accepted, nor will residency hours be accrued in the absence of approved supervision.
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. The supervisor shall maintain copies of quarterly reports to the board for five years after termination or completion of supervision.
3. The supervisor shall provide supervision as defined in 18VAC115-50-10 and shall assume full responsibility for the clinical activities of residents as specified within the supervisory contract, for the duration until completion or termination of the residency, regardless of whether the supervisor is on-site or off-site at the location where services are provided by the resident.
4. The supervisor shall ensure accountability for the resident's adherence to residency requirements of this section.
18VAC115-50-70. General examination requirements.
A. All applicants for initial licensure shall pass an examination, as prescribed by the board, with a passing score as determined by the board. The examination is waived for an applicant who holds a current and unrestricted license as a professional counselor issued by the board.
B. The examination shall concentrate on the core areas of marriage and family therapy set forth in subsection A of 18VAC115-50-55. An applicant is required to pass the prescribed examination within six years from the date of initial approval of the residency or within no more seven years if the board has granted an interruption or extension of the residency.
C. A candidate approved to sit for the examination shall pass the examination within two years from the initial notification date of approval. If the candidate has not passed the examination within two years from the date of initial approval:
2. The applicant shall file a new application with the board, meet the requirements in effect at that time, and provide evidence of why the board should approve the reapplication for examination. If approved by the board, the candidate shall pass the examination within two years of such approval. If the examination is not passed within the additional two-year period, a new application will not be accepted.
D. Applicants or candidates for examination shall not provide marriage and family services unless they are under supervision approved by the board.
18VAC115-50-96. Continuing competency activity criteria.
(7) NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals. and its state and local affiliates.
(4) New program development activity will count for a maximum of eight hours. New program development includes a new course, seminar, or workshop. New courses shall be graduate or undergraduate level college or university courses.
c. Clinical supervision/consultation. Activity will count for a maximum of 10 six hours. Continuing competency can only be granted for clinical supervision/consultation received on a regular basis with a set agenda. Continuing competency cannot be granted for supervision that you provide to others.
d. Leadership. Activity will count for a maximum of eight hours. The following leadership positions are acceptable for continuing competency credit: officers of state or national counseling organization; editor or reviewer of professional counseling journals; member of state counseling licensure/certification board; member of a national counselor certification board; member of a national ethics disciplinary review committee rendering licenses; active member of a counseling committee producing a substantial written product; chair of a major counseling conference or convention; other leadership positions with justifiable professional learning experiences. The leadership positions must take place for a minimum of one year after the date of first licensure.
e. Practice related programs. Activity will count up to a maximum of eight hours. The board may allow up to eight contact hours of continuing competency as long as the regulant submits proof of attendance plus a written justification of how the activity assists him in his direct service of his clients. Examples include language courses, software training, medical topics, etc.
18VAC115-50-97. Documenting compliance with continuing competency requirements.
1. To document completion of formal organized learning activities, licensee shall provide:
f. Documentation of attendance at formal staffing or participation in clinical supervision/consultation shall be by signed affidavit attestation on a form provided by the board.
18VAC115-50-100. Late renewal, reinstatement.
A. A person whose license has expired may renew it within one year after its expiration date by paying the late fee prescribed in 18VAC115-50-20 as well as the license fee prescribed for the period the license was not renewed and providing evidence of having met all applicable continuing competency requirements.
B. A person seeking reinstatement of a license one year or more after its expiration date must:
1. Apply for reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee;
2. Submit documentation verification of any mental health license he holds or has held in another jurisdiction, if applicable;
3. Submit evidence regarding the continued ability to perform the functions within the scope of practice of the license if required by the board to demonstrate competency; and
4. Provide evidence of having met all applicable continuing competency requirements not to exceed a maximum of 80 hours obtained within the four years immediately preceding application for reinstatement; and
5. Provide a current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).
C. A person wishing to reactivate an inactive license shall submit (i) the renewal fee for active licensure minus any fee already paid for inactive licensure renewal and (ii) documentation of continued competency hours equal to the number of years the license has been inactive, not to exceed a maximum of 80 hours, obtained within the four years immediately preceding application for reinstatement. The board may require additional evidence regarding the person's continued ability to perform the functions within the scope of practice of the license.
18VAC115-50-110. Standards of practice.
A. The protection of the public's health, safety and welfare and the best interest of the public shall be the primary guide in determining the appropriate professional conduct of all persons whose activities are regulated by the board. Regardless of the delivery method, whether in person, by phone or electronically, these standards shall apply to the practice of marriage and family therapy.
2. Practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience and appropriate professional experience and represent their education, training, and experience accurately to clients;
3. Stay abreast of new marriage and family therapy information, concepts, applications and practices that are necessary to providing appropriate, effective professional services;
7. Disclose to clients all experimental methods of treatment and inform client of the risks and benefits of any such treatment. Ensure that the welfare of the client is not compromised in any experimentation or research involving those clients;
8. Neither accept nor give commissions, rebates or other forms of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services;
10. Select tests for use with clients that are valid, reliable and appropriate and carefully interpret the performance of individuals not represented in standardized norms;
13. Advertise professional services fairly and accurately in a manner that is not false, misleading or deceptive, including adherence to provision of 18VAC115-50-60 on requirements for representation to the public by residents in marriage and family therapy;
1. Maintain timely, accurate, legible, and complete written or electronic clinical records for each client to include treatment dates and identifying information to substantiate diagnosis and treatment plan, client progress, and termination;
2. Maintain client records securely, inform all employees of the requirements of confidentiality and provide for the destruction of records that are no longer useful in a manner that ensures client confidentiality;
3. Disclose or release client records to others only with clients' expressed written consent or that of their legally authorized representative in accordance with § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia;
4. Ensure confidentiality in the usage of client records and clinical materials by obtaining informed consent from clients or their legally authorized representative before (i) videotaping, (ii) audio recording, (iii) permitting third party observation, or (iv) using identifiable client records and clinical materials in teaching, writing, or public presentations; and
c. Records that have transferred to another mental health service provider or given to the client or his legally authorized representative.
1. Avoid dual or multiple relationships with clients that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of harm to clients. Examples of such relationships include, but are not limited to, familial, social, financial, business, bartering, or close personal relationships with clients. Marriage and family therapists shall take appropriate professional precautions when a dual or multiple relationship cannot be avoided, such as informed consent, consultation, supervision, and documentation to ensure that judgment is not impaired and no exploitation occurs;
2. Not engage in any type of romantic relationships or sexual intimacies with clients or those included in a collateral relationship with the client and also not counsel persons with whom they have had a sexual intimacy or romantic relationship. Marriage and family therapists shall not engage in romantic relationships or sexual intimacies with former clients within a minimum of five years after terminating the counseling relationship. Marriage and family therapists who engage in such relationship or intimacy after five years following termination shall have the responsibility to examine and document thoroughly that such relations do not have an exploitive nature, based on factors such as duration of counseling, amount of time since counseling, termination circumstances, client's personal history and mental status, or adverse impact on the client. A client's consent to, initiation of or participation in sexual behavior or involvement with a marriage and family therapist does not change the nature of the conduct nor lift the regulatory prohibition;
3. Not engage in any romantic relationships or sexual relationship or establish a counseling or psychotherapeutic relationship with a supervisee person under supervision or student. Marriage and family therapists shall avoid any nonsexual dual relationship with a supervisee person under supervision or student in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the supervisee person under supervision or student or the potential for interference with the supervisor's professional judgment; and
E. Persons licensed or registered by this board shall report to the board known or suspected violations of the laws and regulations governing the practice of marriage and family therapy.
F. Persons licensed or registered by the board shall advise their clients of their right to report to the Department of Health Professions any information of which the licensee may become aware in his professional capacity indicating that there is a reasonable probability that a person licensed or certified as a mental health service provider, as defined in § 54.1-2400.1 of the Code of Virginia, may have engaged in unethical, fraudulent or unprofessional conduct as defined by the pertinent licensing statutes and regulations.
18VAC115-50-120. Disciplinary action.
A. Action by the board to revoke, suspend, deny issuance or removal of a license or registration, or take other disciplinary action may be taken in accordance with the following:
1. Conviction of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or violation of or aid to another in violating any provision of Chapter 35 (§ 54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, any other statute applicable to the practice of marriage and family therapy, or any provision of this chapter;
3. Conducting one's practice in such a manner as to make it a danger to the health and welfare of one's clients or the general public or if one is unable to practice marriage and family therapy with reasonable skill and safety to clients by reason of illness, abusive use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or other type of material or result of any mental or physical condition;
4. Demonstrating an inability to practice marriage and family therapy with reasonable skill and safety to clients by reason of illness or substance misuse, or as a result of any mental, emotional, or physical condition;
6.7. Violating or abetting another person in the violation of any provision of any statute applicable to the practice of marriage and family therapy, or any part or portion of this chapter;
7.8. Failure to comply with the continued competency requirements set forth in this chapter; or
8.9. Performance of an act likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;
18VAC115-60-10. Definitions.
"Licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner"
"Ancillary services" means activities such as case management, recordkeeping, referral, and coordination of services.
"Applicant" means any individual who has submitted an official application and paid the application fee for licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner.
"Clinical substance abuse treatment services" means activities such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment implementation.
"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.
"Face-to-face" means the in-person delivery of clinical substance abuse treatment services for a client or the use of visual, real-time, interactive, secured technology for delivery of such services.
"Internship" means a formal academic course from a regionally accredited university in which supervised, practical experience is obtained in a clinical setting in the application of counseling principles, methods and techniques.
"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.
"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 individual or group consultation, guidance and instruction with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised.
18VAC115-60-20. Fees required by the board.
A. The board has established the following fees applicable to licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner:
Registration of supervision (initial)
Add/change supervisor or the work site of supervision
18VAC115-60-40. Application for licensure by examination.
1. Meet the degree program, coursework, and experience requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60, 18VAC115-60-70, and 18VAC115-60-80;
2. Pass the examination required for initial licensure as prescribed in 18VAC115-60-90;
3. Submit the following items to the board:
b. Official transcripts documenting the applicant's completion of the degree program and coursework requirements prescribed in 18VAC115-60-60 and 18VAC115-60-70. Transcripts previously submitted for registration of supervision do not have to be resubmitted unless additional coursework was subsequently obtained;
c. Verification of supervision forms documenting fulfillment of the residency requirements of 18VAC115-60-80 and copies of all required evaluation forms, including verification of current licensure of the supervisor of any portion of the residency occurred in another jurisdiction;
d. Documentation Verification of any other mental health or health professional license or certificate ever held in another jurisdiction;
e. The application processing and initial licensure fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-60-20; and
18VAC115-60-50. Prerequisites for licensure by endorsement.
Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit:
2. The application processing and initial licensure fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-60-20;
3. Verification of all mental health or health professional licenses, or certificates, or registrations 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, or registration. 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 license for the independent practice of substance abuse treatment or addiction counseling 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 from Virginia or another United States jurisdiction in a category acceptable to the board that required completion of a master's degree in mental health to include 60 graduate semester hours in mental health as documented by an official transcript; and
(1) Board-recognized national certification in substance abuse treatment or addiction counseling;
(2) If the master's degree was in substance abuse treatment, two years 24 out of the past 60 months of post-licensure experience in providing substance abuse treatment or addiction counseling immediately preceding application to the board;
(3) If the master's degree was not in substance abuse treatment or addiction counseling, five two years of post-licensure experience in substance abuse treatment or addiction counseling plus 12 credit hours of didactic training in the substance abuse treatment competencies set forth in 18VAC115-60-70 C as documented by an official transcript; 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 or addiction counseling experience; or
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 post-licensure clinical practice for 24 of the last 60 months immediately preceding his licensure application in Virginia. Clinical practice shall mean the rendering of direct clinical substance abuse treatment services or clinical supervision of such services;
5. Verification of a passing score on a substance abuse the licensure examination as established by the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained prescribed in 18VAC115-60-90 or if the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction, a licensing examination deemed to be substantially equivalent. The examination is waived for an applicant who holds a current and unrestricted license as a professional counselor within the Commonwealth of Virginia;
6. An affidavit attestation of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of substance abuse treatment in Virginia; and
7. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).
A. The applicant shall have completed a graduate degree from a program that prepares individuals to practice substance abuse treatment, addiction counseling, or a related counseling discipline as defined in § 54.1-3500 of the Code of Virginia from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency that meets the following criteria:
18VAC115-60-70. Coursework requirements.
A. The applicant shall have successfully completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study. The applicant shall have successfully completed the requirements for a degree in a program accredited by CACREP in addiction counseling or any other specialty approved by the board; or
B. The applicant shall have successfully completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study in The applicant shall have completed a general core curriculum containing a minimum of three semester hours or 4.0 quarter hours in each of the areas identified in this section:
1. Professional identity, function and ethics;
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. Evidence of current certification as a Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) may be used to verify completion of the required graduate hours specified in this subsection.
1. Assessment, appraisal, evaluation and diagnosis specific to substance abuse use disorder;
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 as a formal academic course to include 240 hours of direct face-to-face client contact, of which 200 hours shall be in addiction counseling or treating substance abuse-specific treatment problems use disorder. Only internship hours earned after completion of 30 graduate semester hours may be counted towards residency hours. If the academic course was less than 600 hours, the board may approve completion of the deficient hours to be added to the hours required for residency.
E. One course may satisfy study in more than one content area set forth in subsections B and C of this section.
F. If the applicant holds a current, unrestricted license as a professional counselor, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker, the board may accept evidence of successful completion of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study, including the hours specified in subsection C of this section.
18VAC115-60-80. Residency requirements.
A. Registration. Applicants who render substance abuse treatment services shall:
2. Have submitted an official transcript documenting a graduate degree as specified in 18VAC115-60-60 to include completion of the coursework and internship requirement specified in 18VAC115-60-70; and
B. Applicants who are beginning their residencies in exempt settings 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 no fewer than 3,400 hours in a 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 in-person supervision between supervisor and resident occurring at a minimum of one hour and a maximum of four hours per 40 hours of work experience during the period of the residency.
a. No more than half of these hours may be satisfied with group supervision.
b. One hour of group supervision will be deemed equivalent to one hour of individual supervision.
c. Supervision that is not concurrent with a residency will not be accepted, nor will residency hours be accrued in the absence of approved supervision.
d. For the purpose of meeting the 200-hour supervision requirement, in-person supervision may include the use of technology that maintains client confidentiality and provides real-time, visual contact between the supervisor and the resident.
e. Up to 20 hours of the supervision received during the supervised internship may be counted towards the 200 hours of in-person supervision if the supervision was provided by a licensed professional counselor.
3. The residency shall include at least 2,000 hours of face-to-face client contact in providing clinical substance abuse treatment or addiction counseling services with at least 1,000 of those hours with individuals, families, or groups of individuals suffering from the effects of substance abuse or dependence people with substance use disorder. The remaining hours may be spent in the performance of ancillary services.
4. A graduate level degree internship in excess of 600 hours, which is completed in a program that meets the requirements set forth in 18VAC115-60-70, may count for up to an additional 300 hours towards the requirements of a residency.
5. The residency shall be completed in not less than 21 months or more than four years from the start of the residency. Residents who began a residency before August 24, 2016, shall complete the residency by August 24, 2020. A resident may request and the board may approve an interruption of the residency for a period of no more than three years. An individual who does not complete the residency after four years shall submit evidence to the board showing why the supervised experience should be allowed to continue.
7. 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 board-approved supervisor's name, professional address, and telephone number.
8. Residents shall not engage in practice under supervision in any areas for which they have not had appropriate education.
9. Residency hours that are approved by the licensing board in another United States jurisdiction and that meet are completed in that jurisdiction shall be accepted if those hours are consistent with the requirements of subsection B of this section shall be accepted.
D. Supervisory qualifications.
1. A person who provides supervision for a resident in substance abuse treatment shall hold an active, unrestricted license as a professional counselor or substance abuse treatment practitioner in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided. Supervisors who are marriage and family therapists, school psychologists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, clinical nurse specialists, or psychiatrists and have been approved to provide supervision may continue to do so until August 24, 2017.
2. All supervisors shall document two years post-licensure substance abuse treatment experience and at least 100 hours of didactic instruction in substance abuse treatment. 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.
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 until completion or termination of the residency, regardless of whether the supervisor is on-site or off-site at the location where services are provided by the resident.
3.4. The supervisor shall complete evaluation forms to be given to the resident at the end of each three-month period. The supervisor shall maintain copies of quarterly reports to the board for five years after termination or completion of supervision.
4.5. The supervisor shall report the total hours of residency to the board and shall evaluate the applicant's competency in the six areas stated in subdivision C 1 of this section.
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.
18VAC115-60-90. General examination requirements; schedules; time limits.
A. Every applicant for initial licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner by examination shall pass a written examination as prescribed by the board. Such applicant is required to pass the prescribed examination within six years from the date of initial approval of the residency or within no more seven years if the board has granted an interruption of extension of the residency.
B. Every applicant for licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner by endorsement shall have passed a substance abuse examination deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to the Virginia examination.
C. The examination is waived for an applicant who holds a current and unrestricted license as a professional counselor issued by the board.
D. A candidate approved by the board to sit for the examination shall pass the examination within two years from the date of such initial board approval. If the candidate has not passed the examination within two years from the date of initial approval:
1. The initial board approval to sit for the examination shall then become invalid; and
2. The applicant shall file a complete new application with the board, meet the requirements in effect at that time, and provide evidence of why the board should approve the reapplication for examination. If approved by the board, the applicant shall pass the examination within two years of such approval. If the examination is not passed within the additional two-year period, a new application will not be accepted.
E. The board shall establish a passing score on the written examination.
F.D. A candidate for examination or an applicant shall not provide clinical substance abuse or addiction counseling services unless he is under supervision approved by the board.
18VAC115-60-116. Continuing competency activity criteria.
a. Regionally accredited university-or college-level academic courses in a behavioral health discipline.
(7) NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, and its state and local affiliates.
(9) The National Board for Certified Counselors.
18VAC115-60-117. Documenting compliance with continuing competency requirements.
18VAC115-60-120. Late renewal; reinstatement.
A. A person whose license has expired may renew it within one year after its expiration date by paying the late renewal fee prescribed in 18VAC115-60-20, as well as the license fee prescribed for the year the license was not renewed and providing evidence of having met all applicable continuing competency requirements.
B. A person who fails to renew a license after one year or more and wishes to resume practice shall: (i) apply for reinstatement,; (ii) pay the reinstatement fee for a lapsed license,; (iii) submit verification of any mental health license he holds or has held in another jurisdiction, if applicable,; (iv) provide a current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and (v) provide evidence of having met all applicable continuing competency requirements not to exceed a maximum of 80 hours obtained within the four years immediately preceding application for reinstatement. The board may require the applicant for reinstatement to submit evidence regarding the continued ability to perform the functions within the scope of practice of the license.
C. A person wishing to reactivate an inactive license shall submit (i) the renewal fee for active licensure minus any fee already paid for inactive licensure renewal; (ii) documentation of continued competency hours equal to the number of years the license has been inactive not to exceed a maximum of 80 hours obtained within the four years immediately preceding application for reactivation; and (iii) verification of any mental health license he holds or has held in another jurisdiction, if applicable. The board may require the applicant for reactivation to submit evidence regarding the continued ability to perform the functions within the scope of practice of the license.
18VAC115-60-130. Standards of practice.
A. The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare and the best interest of the public shall be the primary guide in determining the appropriate professional conduct of all persons whose activities are regulated by the board. Regardless of the delivery method, whether in person, by phone or electronically, these standards shall apply to the practice of substance abuse treatment.
2. Practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience and appropriate professional experience and represent their education, training and experience accurately to clients;
3. Stay abreast of new substance abuse treatment information, concepts, application and practices that are necessary to providing appropriate, effective professional services;
13. Advertise professional services fairly and accurately in a manner that is not false, misleading or deceptive, including adherence to provision of 18VAC115-60-80 on requirements for representation to the public by residents in counseling;
3. Disclose or release records to others only with clients' expressed written consent or that of their legally authorized representative in accordance with § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia;
4. Maintain client records for a minimum of five years or as otherwise required by law from the date of termination of the substance abuse treatment relationship with the following exceptions:
c. Records that have been transferred to another mental health service provider or given to the client; and
5. Ensure confidentiality in the usage of client records and clinical materials by obtaining informed consent from clients or their legally authorized representative before (i) videotaping, (ii) audio recording, (iii) permitting third party observation, or (iv) using identifiable client records and clinical materials in teaching, writing or public presentations.
2. Not engage in any type of romantic relationships or sexual intimacies with clients or those included in a collateral relationship with the client and not counsel persons with whom they have had a romantic relationship or sexual intimacy. Licensed substance abuse treatment practitioners shall not engage in romantic relationships or sexual intimacies with former clients within a minimum of five years after terminating the counseling relationship. Licensed substance abuse treatment practitioners who engage in such relationship or intimacy after five years following termination shall have the responsibility to examine and document thoroughly that such relations do not have an exploitive nature, based on factors such as duration of counseling, amount of time since counseling, termination circumstances, client's personal history and mental status, or adverse impact on the client. A client's consent to, initiation of or participation in sexual behavior or involvement with a licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner does not change the nature of the conduct nor lift the regulatory prohibition;
3. Not engage in any sexual intimacy or romantic relationship or establish a counseling or psychotherapeutic relationship with a supervisee person under supervision or student. Licensed substance abuse treatment practitioners shall avoid any nonsexual dual relationship with a supervisee person under supervision or student in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the supervisee person under supervision or the potential for interference with the supervisor's professional judgment; and
E. Persons licensed or registered by this board shall report to the board known or suspected violations of the laws and regulations governing the practice of substance abuse treatment.
18VAC115-60-140. Grounds for revocation, suspension, probation, reprimand, censure, or denial of renewal of license or registration.
A. Action by the board to revoke, suspend, deny issuance or renewal of a license, or take other disciplinary action may be taken in accord with the following:
1. Conviction of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or violation of or aid to another in violating any provision of Chapter 35 (§ 54.1-3500 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, any other statute applicable to the practice of substance abuse treatment, or any provision of this chapter;
4. Demonstrating an inability to practice substance abuse treatment with reasonable skill and safety to clients by reason of illness, abusive use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or other type of material or result of any mental or substance misuse, or as a result of any mental, emotional, or physical condition;
7.8. Violating or abetting another person in the violation of any provision of any statute applicable to the practice of licensed substance abuse therapy treatment, or any part or portion of this chapter; or
B. Following the revocation or suspension of a license the licensee may petition the board for reinstatement upon good cause shown or as a result of substantial new evidence having been obtained that would alter the determination reached.