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

A Behavioral Health Technician Assistant (BHT-A) is a person who has completed a high school diploma or equivalent, completed 20 hours of didactic education training by a program approved by the Board, 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 (BHT) is a person who has completed an associate degree or higher, completed 40 hours of didactic education training by a program approved by the Board, and registered with the Board to practice in accordance with the regulations of the Board and the provisions of § 54.1-3518 to provide collaborative behavioral health services.

A BHT and BHT-A must provide services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBDHS), the Department of Corrections (DOC), or the Department of Education (DOE) or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

It is strongly recommended that you review the Regulations Governing the Practice of Behavioral Health Technicians and Behavioral Health Technician Assistants and the BHT and BHT-A Registration Process Handbook.

Which Application Should I Choose?

Education >>>	Didactic Education Training Hours>>>	Application(s) to Submit:
I have a high school diploma or GED certificate.	I have completed 20 hours of didactic education training from the list of approved trainings in the Approved Training for Registration as a Behavioral Health Technician Assistant (BHTA) policy document.	Application for Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (BHT-A)
I have completed an associate’s or higher degree.	I have completed 40 hours of didactic education training from the list of approved trainings in the Approved Training for Registration as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) policy document.	Application for Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT)

Important Reminders for All Applicants

Providing false or misleading information as well as omitting information in response to information requested in the application or as part of the application process is considered falsification of the application and may be grounds for denial of or taking disciplinary action against an existing registration, certification, or license.
Incomplete applications will remain active for one year from the date of payment. If your application is still incomplete after the one-year timeframe, you will be required to re-apply by submitting a new application, fee, and documentation pursuant to the regulations at that time.
Pursuant to section § 54.1-3506.1 of the Code of Virginia, all registrants operating in a nonhospital setting must post a copy of their registration in a conspicuous place.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-2400.2 addresses of licensees are made available to the public. Normally, the Address of Record is the publicly disclosed address. If you do not want your Address of Record to be made public, you may provide a second publicly disclosable address (e.g. work or practice address). If you would like your Address of Record to be publicly available, please complete both sections with the same address on the application.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-116 (A), you are required to submit your social security number, or your control number issued by the Virigina Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to do so, the processing of your application will be suspended, and fees will not be refunded. This number will be used by the Department of Health Professions for identification and will not be disclosed for other purposes except as provided for by law. Federal and state law requires that this number be shared with other agencies for child support enforcement activities. No license will be issued to any individual who has failed to disclose one of these numbers.