Board of Counseling
Laws and Regulations
The below documents are in Microsoft Word format. If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can get the Microsoft® Word Viewer 97/2000 to view and print DHP's documents.
Laws as of July 1, 2016 - Selected sections of the Code of Virginia
Final Regulations - Regulations currently in effect for practitioners under the Board
- Final regulations (with changes shown) that become effective 8-24-2016
- Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling (8-24-2016)
- Regulations Governing Certified Rehabilitation Providers (1-15-2016)
- Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling Assistants (1-15-2016)
- Regulations Governing Marriage and Family Therapists (8-24-2016)
- Regulations Governing Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners (8-24-2016)
- Public Participation Guidelines - Effective 10-1-2008
- Regulations Governing Delegation to an Agency Subordinate - Effective 8-10-2005
- Click here to obtain a Petition for Rule-making. If you would like the Board to consider amending one of its regulations or rules, you may file a “petition for rule-making”. The Board is required to publish your petition in the Virginia Register to begin a 21-day comment period on the request. At the end of the 21 days, the Board must issue a written decision on whether it will grant or deny the petition. A copy of the petition form is provided. You may email the petition to the address below, fax it to the number on the form or mail it to the Board address.
Proposed Regulations - Amendments to regulations proposed by the Board
Emergency Regulations - Amended regulations in effect for the duration of one year
- There are no emergency regulations in effect at this time.
Duty to Report Adult or Child Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
By law, the persons licensed as health care practitioners
have a duty to report to the Virginia Department of Social Services or the
local departments of social services any known or suspected incidences of
abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or elderly and incapacitated
adults. Contact information and a copy of the law may be obtained at: Legal
Requirements to Report Child Abuse and Adult Abuse