Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)- Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy

First Time License - Application for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy

This application is for individuals who have completed the degree program requirements of 18VAC115-50-50 and the coursework requirements of 18VAC115-50-55 and would like approval for temporary licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Requirements for Application:

You must meet the degree requirements of 18VAC115-50-50, the coursework requirements of 18VAC115-50-55, and have a qualified supervisor and worksite established in order to apply for temporary licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Degree Program Requirements: Completed a graduate degree that:
1. Prepares individuals to practice marriage and family therapy, as defined in 54.1-3500 of the Code of Virginia,,
2. Is from a college or university accredited by CACREP or COAMFTE, or
3. Is from a college or university that has all the following:
  1. A documented academic study with the expressed intent to prepare students to practice marriage and family therapy,
  2. Identifiable marriage and family therapy training faculty,
  3. An identifiable body of students who complete the academic study that prepares marriage and family therapists, and
  4. 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 the required semester or quarter hours of graduate coursework in each of the 10 core content areas. One course may only count for one content area only.
Supervisor and Worksite: Must have signed a contract with a qualified supervisor in place that identifies the worksite where the resident will provide clinical marriage and family therapy services.

Follow these steps to apply for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy

Step 1. Read:

Laws regarding the Practice of Counseling in the state of Virginia.
Regulations regarding the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy in the state of Virginia.
LMFT 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 Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy 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 'Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy' 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:

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.
Proof of your supervisor’s completion of the required training in supervision.
National Practitioners Data Bank Self-Query Report
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.

Step 5. Pay the Fee Online:

Within the online application portal, pay the application fee.

The fee for Registration of Supervision is $65.00.
All fees are nonrefundable.

Step 6. Wait for Board Approval: (up to 30 days from complete application)

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.