Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP)- Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment

First Time License - Application for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment

This application is for individuals who have completed the degree program requirements of 18VAC115-60-60 and the coursework requirements of 18VAC115-60-70 and would like approval for temporary licensure as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment.

Requirements for Application:

You must meet the degree requirements of 18VAC115-60-60, the coursework requirements of 18VAC115-60-70, and have a qualified supervisor and worksite established in order to apply for temporary licensure as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment.

1. Degree Program Requirements: Completed a graduate degree that:
   1. Prepares individuals to practice substance abuse treatment or a related counseling discipline, as defined in 54.1-3500 of the Code of Virginia,,
   2. Is from a college or university accredited by CACREP, or
   3. Is from a college or university that has all the following:
      1. A documented academic study with the expressed intent to prepare counselors,
      2. Identifiable counselor training faculty,
      3. Anidentifiable body of students who complete the academic study that prepares counselors, and
      4. Clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty coursework areas.
2. Coursework Requirements: Complete 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate study that must include three (3) semester hours or four (4) quarter hours of graduate coursework in each of the 15 core content areas.
3. Supervisor and Worksite: Must have signed a contract with a qualified supervisor in place that identifies the worksite where the resident will provide clinical substance abuse treatment services.

Follow these steps to apply for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment

• Laws regarding the Practice of Counseling in the state of Virginia.
• Regulations regarding the Practice of Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners in the state of Virginia.
• LSATP Licensure Process Handbook. This handbook provides detailed information about the required documents and process to obtain a license.

• Review the Application Instructions for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment 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 'Resident in Substance Abuse Treatment' 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:

• Verification of Required Coursework form
• Verification of Degree and Internship form
• Supervisory Contract. See, a sample supervisory contract to use as a template is available on the Board’s website.
• National Practitioners Data Bank Self-Query Report
• Proof of your supervisor’s completion of the required training in supervision.
• Additional Degree Program Information
• Verification of Supervisor’s Didactic Training
• Additional Degree Program Information
• Proof of Out-of-State License from the issuing jurisdiction.
• 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 Registration of Supervision is $65.00. 
• All fees are nonrefundable.

• You will receive automated emails from coun@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 approval to begin your supervised experience, notify the Board as soon as possible in writing by submitting the Name/Address Change Form.
• Contact the Board with any questions: coun@dhp.virginia.gov or TEL: (804) 367-4610.