Laws and Regulations

Laws as of July 1, 2024

Selected sections of the Code of Virginia

• Laws governing Counseling

Regulations

Regulations currently in effect for practitioners under the Board

• Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling (8-18-2021)
• Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers (effective 9-29-2021)
• Regs Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors & Assistants (Revised 02-17-2022)
• Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy (10-9-2024)
• Regs Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners (8-18-2021)
• Regulations Governing the Registration of Qualified Mental Health Professionals (10-29-2020)
• Regulations Governing the Registration of Peer Recovery Specialists (10-15-2020)
• Public Participation Guidelines - (Revised 1-12-2017)
• Regulations Governing Delegation to an Agency Subordinate - (11-8-2023)
• Click here to obtain a Petition for Rule-making. If you would like the Board to consider amending one of its regulations or rules, you may file a "petition for rule-making". The Board is required to publish your petition in the Virginia Register and post it online at www.townhall.virginia.gov to begin a 21-day comment period on the request. Within 90 days after the comment period or 14 days after its next scheduled meeting, the Board will issue a decision on whether it will grant or deny the petition. A copy of the petition form is provided. You may email the petition to the address below, fax it to the number on the form or mail it to the Board address.

Proposed Regulations

Amendments to regulations proposed by the Board

• All of the Board's proposed regulations can be found on the Townhall website.

Emergency Regulations

Amended regulations in effect for 18 months

• Implementation of the Counseling Compact - effective 9-9-2024 - 3-8-2026

Regulatory Town Hall

The Virginia Department of Planning & Budget has designed a Regulatory Town Hall for anyone interested in the proposal of regulations or meetings of regulatory boards.

Duty to Report Adult or Child Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation

By law, the persons licensed as health care practitioners have a duty to report to the Virginia Department of Social Services or the local departments of social services any known or suspected incidences of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or elderly and incapacitated adults. Contact information and a copy of the law may be obtained at: Legal Requirements to Report Child Abuse and Adult Abuse..