Laws and Regulations

Laws

Selected sections of the Code of Virginia

Chapter 35. Professional Counseling (§ 54.1-3500 et. al.)

Regulations

Regulations currently in effect for practitioners under the Board

Public Participation Guidelines (18VAC115-11)
Delegation of Informal Fact-Finding to an Agency Subordinate (18VAC115-15)
Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling (18VAC115-20)
Regulations Governing the Certification of Substance Abuse Counselors and Substance Abuse Counseling Assistants (18VAC115-30)
Regulations Governing the Certification of Rehabilitation Providers (18VAC115-40)
Regulations Governing the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy (18VAC115-50)
Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Providers (18VAC115-60)
Regulations Governing the Registration of Peer Recovery Specialists (18VAC115-70)
Regulations Governing the Registration of Qualified Mental Health Professionals (18VAC115-80)
Regulations Governing the Practice of Behavioral Health Technicians and Behavioral Health Technician Assistants (18VAC115-100)

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 - 9-7-2026

Petition for Rule-making

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.

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.