Pre-Review of Education toward Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) licensure
Education Review ONLY
This application is for individuals who are uncertain if their degree or coursework meets the minimum education requirements for licensure as a substance abuse treatment practitioner.
The Pre-Review of Education application is only to provide education guidance and is NOT an application for licensure with the Board nor is the application a pre-requisite for licensure. Any guidance provided during the pre-review education process is not a case decision under the Virginia Administrative Process Act and cannot be appealed.
Education Requirements:
You can find the degree requirements in section 18VAC115-60-60 and coursework requirements in section 18VAC115-60-70 of the regulations.
- Degree Program Requirements: Completed a graduate degree that:
- Prepares individuals to practice substance abuse treatment or a related counseling discipline, as defined in 54.1-3500 of the Code of Virginia,
- Is from a college or university accredited by CACREP, and
- Is from a college or university that has all the following:
- A documented academic study with the expressed intent to prepare counselors,
- Identifiable counselor training faculty,
- An identifiable body of students who complete the academic study that prepares counselors, and
- Clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty coursework areas.
- 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.
Follow these steps to apply for Pre-Review of Education toward LSATP licensure
Step 1. Read:
- 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.
Step 2. Gather & Request Supporting Documentation:
- Review the Application Instructions for Pre-Review of Education toward LSATP licensure for the documents needed to submit with your online application.
- Gather and request the necessary documents.
Step 3. Apply:
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 'Pre-Review of Education - LSATP' as the License Type.
- Select ‘Application’ as the Obtained by Method.
- Click ‘Start Application’.
Complete the Required Fields.
Step 4. Upload Documentation:
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:
Step 5. Pay the Fee Online:
Within the online application portal, pay the application fee.
- The fee for Pre-Review of Education is $75.00.
- All fees are nonrefundable.
Step 6. Wait for Board Approval: (up to 30 days from complete application)
