Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (BHT-A) and Behavioral Heath Technicians (BHT)

Definitions:

Behavioral health technician" means a person who has completed, at a minimum, an associate degree and registered with the Board to practice in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-3518 and regulations of the Board and provides collaborative behavioral health services. A "behavioral health technician" shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections, or the Department of Education or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

"Behavioral health technician assistant" means a person who has completed a high school diploma or equivalent, at a minimum, and registered with the Board to practice in accordance with the regulations of the Board and the provisions of § 54.1-3519 to provide collaborative behavioral health services. A "behavioral health technician assistant" shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections, or the Department of Education or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Scope of Practice:

Behavioral health technician (BHT) Scope of Practice outlined in § 54.1-3518

A registered behavioral health technician shall be (i) qualified to perform, under Board approved supervision, collaborative behavioral health services, training on prevention of mental health and substance use disorders, and mental health literacy and the supportive functions of screening, intake, orientation, care coordination, client education, and recordkeeping and (ii) after three years of practicing as a behavioral health technician in good standing and completion of the required behavioral health technician supervisor training set forth by the Board, qualified to supervise, as part of a collaborative team, behavioral health technicians and behavioral health technician assistants. A registered behavioral health technician shall not engage in independent or autonomous practice and shall only perform collaborative behavioral health services.

Behavioral health technician assistant (BHT-A) Scope of Practice outlined in § 54.1-3519

A registered behavioral health technician assistant shall be qualified to perform, under Board approved supervision, collaborative behavioral health services, training on prevention of mental health and substance use disorders, and mental health literacy and the supportive functions of screening, intake, orientation, care coordination, client education, and recordkeeping. A registered behavioral health technician assistant shall not engage in independent or autonomous practice and shall only provide collaborative behavioral health services.

Contact Information:

Email: bht@dhp.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 367-3053
Fax: (804) 977-9772
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 300 Henrico, VA 23233

Helpful Resource Information:

Regulations:

• Regulations Governing the Practice of Behavioral Health Technicians and Behavioral Health Technician Assistants - Effective 05/08/2025

Handbook:

• Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (BHT-A) and Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT) Registration Process Handbook 

Applications:

• Online Applications and Forms 
• Check your Application Status

Forms:

• Verification of Human Services Coursework

Guidance and Policy Documents:

• Guidance Document 115-2 - Impact of Criminal Convictions
• Guidance Document 115-8 - Approved Degrees in Human Services and Related Fields for QMHP Registration
• Approved Training and Education Pathways for Registration as a Behavioral Health Technician Assistant (BHT-A) and a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
• Supervision of QMHPs, QMHP-Trainees, BHTs, and BHTAs

Register with Virginia Townhall to receive notification on changes to the Regulations