Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (BHT-A)

First Time Registration - Application

This application is for individuals who has a high school diploma or GED certificate and has completed 20 hours of didactic training from an approved training program and would like to be registered as BHT-A.

Requirements for Application:  

Any person pursuing registration as a BHT-A in Virginia will need the following: 

1. Education: Provide evidence of a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED certificate.
2. Didactic Education Training: Complete 20 hours of didactic training from the list of approved trainings in the Approved Training for Registration as a Behavioral Health Technician Assistant (BHTA) policy document.

Follow these steps to apply for Licensure by Endorsement

• Laws regarding the Practice of Counseling in the state of Virginia.
• Regulations regarding the Regulations Governing the Practice of Behavioral Health Technicians and Behavioral Health Technician Assistants.
• BHT and BHT-A Registration Process Handbook

• Review the Application Instructions for Registration as a Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (BHT-A) for the documents needed to submit with your online application.
• Gather and request the necessary documents.

Do not start the online application until you have requested or obtained the applicable documents from Step 2.   Submitting incomplete applications will delay the review and approval process. 

Begin the Online Application:

• Register for an Account or Login if you have an existing account.
• Select Initial Application from the menu.
• Select ‘Counseling’ as the Profession.
• Select ‘Behavioral Health Technician Assistants” as the License Type.
• Select ‘Application’ as the Obtained by Method.
• Click ‘Start Application’. 

       Complete the Required Fields. 

Within the online application portal, upload the applicable documentation.  PDF file format is preferred. 

The following are possible documents you may be required to upload within the online application portal:

• Areas of Didactic Training
• Verification of Human Services Coursework
• Didactic Education Training Certificate(s)
• National Practitioners Data Bank Self-Query Report
• Verification of License/Certification/Registration
• Proof of Name Change
• Supporting Documentation for any criminal convictions, past actions, or possible impairments.

 Within the online application portal, pay the application fee.  

• The fee for Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (BHT-A) is $25.00.
• All fees are nonrefundable. 

• You will receive automated emails from bht@dhp.virginia.gov with your application status.
• You can also visit the Online Checklist to view the status of your application.
• If your name or address changes prior to receiving your certification, notify the Board as soon as possible in writing by submitting the Name/Address Change Form.
• Contact the Board with any questions: bht@dhp.virginia.gov or TEL: (804) 367-3053.