In 2024, the General Assembly authorized the Board of Counseling, pursuant to SB403, to establish and promulgate regulations for two new registration types: Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (BHT-A) and Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT).
The Board will start accepting applications for BHT-As and BHTs on June 9, 2025.
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..
Email: bht@dhp.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 367-3053
Fax: (804) 977-9772
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 300 Henrico, VA 23233
Regulations:
Handbook:
Applications:
Forms:
Guidance and Policy Documents:
Register with Virginia Townhall to receive notification on changes to the Regulations
Virginia Board of Counseling
Email: Coun@dhp.virginia.gov
Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director
Terry R. Tinsley, PhD, LPC, LMFT, CSOTP, Chairperson