Bill Text: VA HB426 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Professional counselors; Board of Counseling to recognize NCE as a valid examination for licensure.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-04 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0443) [HB426 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB426-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 35 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-3506.2 as follows:
§54.1-3506.2. Licensure of certain persons without examination.
A. The Board may issue a license to practice as a professional counselor without examination to an individual who has applied for such license and who satisfies all other education, experience, and fitness to practice requirements in subsection B.
B. A license to practice as a professional counselor without examination may be issued to an individual who:
1. Has accreditation from an accredited counseling program;
2. Has received a master's degree in either mental health or marriage and family counseling;
3. Is licensed as a resident in counseling by the Board;
4. Has a minimum of three years of experience working under the supervision of a licensed individual in the counseling field;
5. Has at least two letters from supervisors that vouch for the individual's work history;
6. Has a letter from a direct supervisor that verifies the individual's clinical hours of experience; and
7. Has a resume showing proof that the candidate has worked in the mental health field for a minimum of three years.
C. The requirements of subsection B shall be deemed met if the applicant holds a valid school counselor preK-12 endorsement issued by the Board of Education.
