Qualified Mental Health Professionals

"Qualified mental health professional" means 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 "qualified mental health professional" includes a qualified mental health professional-adult and qualified mental health professional-child. A "qualified mental health professional" shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections, or the Department of Education or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

"Qualified mental health professional-trainee" means 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 "qualified mental health professional-trainee" shall provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Corrections, or the Department of Education or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

NEW Regulatory Changes: (Effective May 7, 2025)

Changes to the QMHP regulations are pursuant to SB403 of the 2024 General Assembly. These changes will take effect on May 7, 2025. The information below is to allow applicants, registrants and Agencies time to prepare for the new changes.

• There will no longer be a different registration for QMHP-Adult (QMHP-A) and QMHP-Child (QMHP-C).  There will only be one registration called QMHP.
• QMHP-Trainee’s and QMHP’s education requirements have changed.
• QMHP-Trainee’s and QMHP’s must complete required didactic training prior to being approved.
• QMHP-Trainee’s must renew their registration every year.
• Supervised experience has been reduced to 1,500 for those who do not hold a degree in human services or special education.
• QMHP’s with three years of experience can supervise QMHP-Trainees after completing the supervision training.
• All supervisors are required to complete training prior to supervising QMHP-Trainees.
• Please review the proposed changes to the regulations at https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/viewXML.cfm?textid=18811&replace=yes.
• Please review the Key Changes PowerPoint for a summary that compares the current requirements with the new changes.

Important Information:

• Applications submitted after May 6, 2025, must comply with the new requirements.
• Any applications that remain incomplete as of May 7, 2025, will need to meet new requirements.
• All applicants are strongly encouraged to review their online checklist and take prompt action to complete their application no later than May 6, 2025.
• The online application portal and processing system for QMHP and QMHP-Trainee registration will be temporarily unavailable from May 7, 2025, to May 12, 2025.

Contact Information:

Email: qmhp@dhp.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 367-3053
Fax: (804) 977-9772
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive
Suite 300 Henrico, VA 23233

Helpful Resource Information:

• Regulations Governing the Registration of Qualified Mental Health Professionals - 10-29-2020
• QMHP - Frequently Asked Questions
• Online Application Handbook
• Online Application and Forms – (Paper applications and payments by check or money order are not accepted)
• Guidance Document 115-2 -  Impact of Criminal Convictions
• Guidance Document 115-8 -  Approved Degrees in Human Services and Related Fields for QMHP Registration
• Check your Application Status
• Key Changes PowerPoint

Register with Virginia Townhall to receive notification on changes to the Regulations