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For more information regarding registering for the exam, contact NBCC/CCE at 336-482-2856 or click here to access their website.
What examination is required for LPC licensure?
For initial licensure, all applicants are required to sit and pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) administered by NBCC.
How often can I take the NCMHCE examination?
You are able to take the NCMHCE examination multiple times. There is a 90 day waiting period in between examination attempts.
When am I able to sit for the NCMHCE examination?
All Licensed Resident in Counseling are required to take and pass the NCMCHE Examination during their residency. You do not need Board approval to register to sit for the NCMHCE examination.
Is there a new format for the NCMHCE examination?
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is transitioning to a new format. Information on the new format can be found on NBCC’s website at https://www.nbcc.org/exams/ncmhce.
How long do I have to take and pass the NCMHCE examination?
The NCMCHE Examination must be passed within six (6) years from the date of initial issuance of the resident license. A licensed resident can take the examination at any point during the residency without Board pre-approval. An extension request after the six (6) year time period will not be considered.
Do I need to be under supervision if I have completed all the residency hour requirements?
A resident must remain in residency practicing under supervision with a current resident license until passage of the NCMHCE exam, submitted an application for licensure, and granted a license as a VA LPC. In order to provide clinical counseling services in a non-exempt setting you must hold a current License as a Resident in Counseling or Licensed Professional Counselor pursuant to section § 54.1-3506 of the Code of Virginia.
How do I register for the exam?
You should first review the Applicant Handbook for the NCMHCE Exam. To register for the exam, please visit https://my.cce-global.org/. Please review the Step by Step Guide Through the Registration Process. The current exam fee is $275.00. If you need assistance in the exam registration process, please contact NBCC/CCE at (336) 482-2856.
I passed the exam. What happens next?
You should submit the LPC by Examination application once you complete your residency hours and pass the NCMCE exam. Following your exam, the results will be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Counseling approximately 4 to 6 weeks from your exam date.
What is my university's passing rate for the NCMHCE exam?
The Virginia Board of Counseling posts the pass/fail data for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) by university. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) provides this data to the Virginia Board of Counseling. Please click here for the Pass Fail Report for the NCMHCE exam per counseling master’s program.
I applied to sit for the examination and was given two years to sit and pass the examination. Do I still need to pass the examination within the two years of approval?
Once you are licensed as a Resident in Counseling, you will be allowed to continue to be a Resident in Counseling for an additional six (6) years if you are under the supervision of a Board-approved supervisor, hold a current supervisory contract, and hold a current resident license.
Please note that the LPC by Examination application that was previously submitted will expire two years from the date that you were approved to sit for the examination. After this date, you will be required to re-apply once you complete your residency hours and passed the NCMHCE exam.
What examination is required for LMFT licensure?
For initial licensure, all applicants are required to sit and pass the National MFT Examination administered by AMFTRB.
How do I find out the testing dates for the National MFT Examination?
The examination schedule can be found at https://amftrb.org/dates/.
How often can I take the AMFTRB examination?
You are able to take the AMFTRB examination multiple times. There is a 90 day waiting period in between examination attempts.
When am I able to sit for the National MFT examination?
All Licensed Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy are required to take and pass the National MFT Examination during their residency. You will be provided an examination code once you are approved as a resident.
How long do I have to take and pass the National MFT examination?
The National MFT Examination must be passed within six (6) years from the date of initial issuance of the resident license. A licensed resident can take the examination at any point during the residency. An extension request after the six (6) year time period will not be considered.
Do I need to be under supervision if I have completed all the residency hour requirements?
A resident must remain in residency practicing under supervision with a current resident license until passage of the National MFT exam, submitted an application for licensure, and granted a license as a VA LMFT. In order to provide clinical marriage family and therapy services in a non-exempt setting you must hold a current License as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist pursuant to section § 54.1-3506 of the Code of Virginia.
How do I register for the exam?
You should first review the 2020 AMFTRB Marital and Family Therapy National Examination Handbook for Candidates for detailed information on the exam. You can register for the exam online at Professional Testing Corporation where you will be prompted to complete the application and submit your payment. The correct testing period must be selected at the first step of the application process. There are no transfers to another testing period or refunds of the application fees. You must enter the unique approval code that was previously provided to you within your approval letter.
I passed the exam. What happens next?
You should submit the LMFT by Examination application once you complete your residency hours and pass the National MFT exam. Following your exam, the results will be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Counseling approximately 4 to 6 weeks from your exam date.
I applied to sit for the examination and was given two years to sit and pass the examination. Do I still need to pass the examination within the two years of approval?
Once you are licensed as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy, you will be allowed to continue to be a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy for an additional six (6) years if you are under the supervision of a Board-approved supervisor, hold a current supervisory contract, and hold a current resident license.
Please note that the LMFT by Examination application that was previously submitted will expire two years from the date that you were approved to sit for the examination. After this date, you will be required to re-apply once you complete your residency hours and passed the National MFT exam.
If I hold a current Virginia LPC license do I need to pass the National MFT examination for be licensed as a LMFT?
No, the National MFT examination is waived for an applicant who holds a current and unrestricted license as a professional counselor issued by the Virginia Board.
If I hold a current Virginia LCSW or LCP license do I need to pass the National MFT examination to be licensed as a LMFT?
Yes, only Virginia LPCs are waived from taking the National MFT examination.
The Virginia Board of Counseling Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance abuse Treatment Practitioners changed effective August 24, 2016 which amended the requirements for the Licensed Substance abuse Treatment Practitioners (LSATP) examination. Applicants are now required to pass the approved national examinationwithin two years of Board approval. If you were previously approved to sit for the exam prior to the changes in the Regulations, you must pass the exam no later than August 24, 2018 in order to be considered for licensure.
The Board requires that applicants take and pass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam towards the Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) license in Virginia. The examination is administered through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) with the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).
The examination is given on demand and testing sites are located in all major cities across the United States. The cost for the current examination fee is $150.00 per test. You may schedule your examination online at NCC AP's website. Once you are approved to sit for the exam, you should create an account by selecting the “Create New Account” link at the top right of the website page. You will enter the code “!VA327” during registration and select “Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) with Co-Occurring Disorder Component” when prompted.
What examination is required for LSATP licensure?
For initial licensure, all applicants are required to sit and pass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) administered by NAADAC.
How often can I take the MAC examination?
You are able to take the MAC examination multiple times. There is a 90 day waiting period in between examination attempts.
When am I able to sit for the MAC examination?
All Licensed Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment are required to take and pass the MAC Examination during their residency. You do not need Board approval to register to sit for the MAC examination.
How long do I have to take and pass the MAC examination?
The MAC Examination must be passed within six (6) years from the date of initial issuance of the resident license. A licensed resident can take the examination at any point during the residency without Board pre-approval. An extension request after the six (6) year time period will not be considered.
Do I need to be under supervision if I have completed all the residency hour requirements?
A resident must remain in residency practicing under supervision with a current resident license until passage of the MAC exam, submitted an application for licensure, and granted a license as a VA LSATP. In order to provide clinical substance abuse treatment services in a non-exempt setting you must hold a current License as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment or Licensed Substance Abuse Practitioner pursuant to section § 54.1-3506 of the Code of Virginia.
How do I register for the exam?
You should first review the MAC FAQs on NAADAC’s website. You can register for the exam online at NCC AP's website. Once you are approved to sit for the exam, you should create an account by selecting the “Create New Account” link at the top right of the website page. You will enter the code “!VA327” during registration and select “Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) with Co-Occurring Disorder Component” when prompted.
I passed the exam. What happens next?
You should submit the LSATP by Examination application once you complete your residency hours and pass the MAC exam. Following your exam, the results will be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Counseling approximately 4 to 6 weeks from your exam date.
I applied to sit for the examination and was given two years to sit and pass the examination. Do I still need to pass the examination within the two years of approval?
Once you are licensed as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment, you will be allowed to continue to be a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment for an additional six (6) years if you are under the supervision of a Board-approved supervisor, hold a current supervisory contract, and hold a current resident license.
Please note that the LSATP by Examination application that was previously submitted will expire two years from the date that you were approved to sit for the examination. After this date, you will be required to re-apply once you complete your residency hours and passed the MAC exam.
If I hold a current Virginia LPC license do I need to pass the board MAC examination to be licensed as a LSATP?
No, the examination is waived for an applicant who holds a current and unrestricted license as a professional counselor issued by the Virginia Board.
If I hold a current Virginia LCSW or LCP license do I need to pass the MAC examination to be licensed as a LSATP?
Yes, only Virginia LPCs are waived from taking the MAC examination.
The Board now requires that applicants take and pass the NCAC-I exam towards the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certification in Virginia. The examination is administered through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) with the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).
The examination is given on demand and testing sites are located in all major cities across the United States. The cost for the current examination fee is $150.00 per test. You may schedule your examination online at at NCC AP's website. Once you are approved to sit for the exam, you should create an account by selecting the “Create New Account” link at the top right of the website page. You will enter the code “!VA327” during registration and select “Virginia Board of Counseling – CSAC” when prompted.
How often can I take the NCAC-I examination?
You are able to take the NCAC-I examination multiple times. There is a 90 day waiting period in between examination attempts.
Do I have a deadline to pass the exam?
Yes. The Regulations require that you pass the required examination within two years of Board approval. If you fail to pass the examination within this two years, you will be required to re-apply and meet the current requirements.
Do I need to be under supervision if I am approved to sit for the exam?
A CSAC, candidate for CSAC examination, or an applicant cannot provide substance abuse services without being clinically supervised as listed in the section § 54.1-3507.1 of the Code of Virginia.
How do I register for the exam?
You can register for the exam online at NCC AP's website. Once you are approved to sit for the exam, you should create an account by selecting the “Create New Account” link at the top right of the website page. You will enter the code “!VA327” during registration and select “Virginia Board of Counseling – CSAC” when prompted.
I passed the exam. What happens next?
Following your exam, the results will be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Counseling within four (4) weeks from the date of your exam. Once the Board has received verification of passing scores, we will complete a final review of your file immediately and contact you by email with an update regarding your certification.
The Board requires that you take and pass the Virginia State Constructed CSAC-A exam. Once you are approved to sit for the exam, the exam will be emailed to you. The CSAC-A exam is an open book test. You are encouraged to reference the Regulations when answering the questions. Once you complete the exam, you should mail, fax or email your examination to the Board office for processing.
How often can I take the CSAC-A examination?
You are able to take the CSAC-A examination multiple times.
Do I have a deadline to pass the exam?
Yes. The Regulations require that you pass the required examination within two years of Board approval. If you fail to pass the examination within this two years, you will be required to re-apply and meet the current requirements.
Do I need to be under supervision if I am approved to sit for the exam?
A CSAC-A, candidate for CSAC-A examination, or an applicant cannot provide substance abuse treatment functions without being clinically supervised pursuant to section § 54.1-3507.2 of the Code of Virginia.
The Board approves the following examinations:
The passing score for each examination shall be the score determined by the Commission for passage.
How do I register for the exam? Please contact the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification or Certification of Disability Management Specialist Commission (CDMS).
Virginia Board of Counseling
Email: Coun@dhp.virginia.gov
Jaime Hoyle, Executive Director
Johnston Brendel, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, Chairperson