Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP and QMHP-Trainee)-Applicants

ALERT:

The Regulations Governing the Registration of Qualified Mental Health Professionals will change effective May 7, 2025.

To review the amended regulations prior to their official posting, please visit the following link: View Amended Regulations

For a summary of the changes, please visit the following link: Summary of Changes

A Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) is a person who has (i) completed, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree; (ii) registered with the Board to practice in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-3520 and the regulations of the Board; and (iii) a combination of work, training, or experience in providing collaborative behavioral health services for youth or adults.

A QMHP is a combination of the former QMHP-A and QMHP-C credentials. A QMHP must provide services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), the Department of Corrections (DOC), or the Department of Education (DOE) or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

A Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee (QMHP-Trainee) is a person who is receiving supervised training to qualify as a qualified mental health professional in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-3521 and is registered with the Board.

A QMHP-Trainee must provide services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBDHS), the Department of Corrections (DOC), or the Department of Education (DOE) or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

It is strongly recommended that you review the Regulations Governing the Registration of Qualified Mental Health Professionals and the

QMHP Registration Process Handbook.

Which Application Should I Choose?

Professional Status & Education >>>	Supervised Experience/Practicum Hours>>>	Application(s) to Submit:
I am actively enrolled and in good standing in a bachelor’s degree program or graduated with a bachelor’s degree. AND I complete 60 hours of didactic education in the core content areas through a provider approved or recognized by the Board, as outlined in the policy document Approved Training and Education Pathways for a Registration as a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee (QMHP-T) and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).	I need to be registered as a QMHP-Trainee so that I can complete supervised experience hours toward registration as a QMHP.	Application for Qualified Mental Health Professional – Trainee
I hold an active QMHP-Trainee registration in Virginia. AND I have graduated from a bachelor’s degree program. AND I have complete 80 hours of didactic education in the core content areas through a provider approved or recognized by the Board, as outlined in the policy document Approved Training and Education Pathways for a Registration as a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee (QMHP-T) and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).	I have completed 1,500 hours of supervised experience as required by 18VAC115-80-40.	Application for Qualified Mental Health Professional

Professional Status & Education >>>

Supervised Experience/Practicum Hours>>>

Application(s) to Submit:

I am actively enrolled and in good standing in a bachelor’s degree program or graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

AND

I complete 60 hours of didactic education in the core content areas through a provider approved or recognized by the Board, as outlined in the policy document Approved Training and Education Pathways for a Registration as a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee (QMHP-T) and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).

I need to be registered as a QMHP-Trainee so that I can complete supervised experience hours toward registration as a QMHP.

Application for Qualified Mental Health Professional – Trainee

I hold an active QMHP-Trainee registration in Virginia.

AND

I have graduated from a bachelor’s degree program.

AND

I have complete 80 hours of didactic education in the core content areas through a provider approved or recognized by the Board, as outlined in the policy document Approved Training and Education Pathways for a Registration as a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee (QMHP-T) and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).

I have completed 1,500 hours of supervised experience as required by 18VAC115-80-40.

Application for Qualified Mental Health Professional

Important Reminders for All Applicants

Providing false or misleading information as well as omitting information in response to information requested in the application or as part of the application process is considered falsification of the application and may be grounds for denial of or taking disciplinary action against an existing registration, certification, or license.
Incomplete applications will remain active for one year from the date of payment. If your application is still incomplete after the one-year timeframe, you will be required to re-apply by submitting a new application, fee, and documentation pursuant to the regulations at that time.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-2400.2 addresses of licensees are made available to the public. Normally, the Address of Record is the publicly disclosed address. If you do not want your Address of Record to be made public, you may provide a second publicly disclosable address (e.g. work or practice address). If you would like your Address of Record to be publicly available, please complete both sections with the same address on the application.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-116 (A), you are required to submit your social security number, or your control number issued by the Virigina Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to do so, the processing of your application will be suspended, and fees will not be refunded. This number will be used by the Department of Health Professions for identification and will not be disclosed for other purposes except as provided for by law. Federal and state law requires that this number be shared with other agencies for child support enforcement activities. No license will be issued to any individual who has failed to disclose one of these numbers.