SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2024 SESSION

24104508D
HOUSE BILL NO. 426
Offered January 10, 2024
Prefiled January 8, 2024
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 35 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-3506.2, relating to Board of Counseling; licensure of professional counselors without examination.
----------
Patron-- Cole
----------
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 35 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-3506.2 as follows:

§ 54.1-3506.2. Licensure of certain persons without examination.

A. The Board may issue a license to practice as a professional counselor without examination to an individual who has applied for such license and who satisfies all other education, experience, and fitness to practice requirements in subsection B.

B. A license to practice as a professional counselor without examination may be issued to an individual who:

1. Has accreditation from an accredited counseling program;

2. Has received a master's degree in either mental health or marriage and family counseling;

3. Is licensed as a resident in counseling by the Board;

4. Has a minimum of three years of experience working under the supervision of a licensed individual in the counseling field;

5. Has at least two letters from supervisors that vouch for the individual's work history;

6. Has a letter from a direct supervisor that verifies the individual's clinical hours of experience; and

7. Has a resume showing proof that the candidate has worked in the mental health field for a minimum of three years.

C. The requirements of subsection B shall be deemed met if the applicant holds a valid school counselor preK-12 endorsement issued by the Board of Education.