Virginia Law

A. Individual practitioners of early intervention services, with the exception of physicians, audiologists, and registered dietitians, shall be certified by the department as early intervention professionals or early intervention specialists.

B. Certified early intervention professionals shall have expertise in a discipline trained to enhance the development of children with a disability, as evidenced by state licensure, including application for state licensure if the discipline authorizes practice in Virginia while the application is pending and the individual practitioner meets all applicable requirements for such practice; state endorsement; or certification by a national professional organization. Qualified personnel in the following disciplines may seek certification from the department as early intervention professionals:

1. Counselors.

a. Licensed professional counselors licensed by the Virginia Board of Counseling; and

b. School counselors (Pre K - 12) endorsed by the Virginia Board of Education;

2. Behavior analysts licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine;

3. Educators.

a. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with endorsement in Special Education - Early Childhood (Birth - 5);

b. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with endorsement in Early/Primary Education (Pre K - 3 or NK - 4);

c. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with endorsement in Elementary Education (Pre K - 6);

d. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with endorsement in Career and Technical Education - Family and Consumer Services;

e. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with endorsement in Special Education - Hearing Impairments (Pre K - 12);

f. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with endorsement in Special Education - Visual Impairments (Pre K - 12);

g. Educators with a technical professional license issued by the Virginia Board of Education in Career and Technical Education - Family and Consumer Sciences;

h. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of Education with Endorsement in adapted curriculum K - 12; and

i. Educators licensed by the Virginia Board of education with Endorsement in general curriculum K - 12;

4. Family and consumer science professionals certified through the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Individuals certified by the AAFCS after June 30, 2009, shall meet certification requirements in family and consumer sciences - human development and family studies;

5. Marriage and family therapists licensed by the Virginia Board of Counseling;

6. Music therapists certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT);

7. Nurses.

a. Nurse practitioners licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing; and

b. Registered nurses licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing;

8. Occupational therapists licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine;

9. Orientation and mobility specialists certified by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board as a National Orientation and Mobility Certificant (NOMC) or certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS);

10. Physical therapists licensed by the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy;

11. Psychologists.

a. Applied psychologists licensed by the Virginia Board of Psychology;

b. Clinical psychologists licensed by the Virginia Board of Psychology; and

c. School psychologists licensed by the Virginia State Board of Education with an endorsement in school psychology;

12. Social workers.

a. Licensed clinical social workers licensed by the Virginia Board of Social Work; and

b. School social workers licensed by the Virginia State Board of Education with an endorsement as a school social worker;

13. Speech-language pathologists licensed by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology; and

14. Therapeutic recreation specialists certified by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation.

C. Certified early intervention specialists shall hold a minimum of a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma. Qualified personnel in the following disciplines may seek certification from the department as early intervention specialists:

1. Assistant behavior analysts licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine.

2. Early intervention assistants whose qualifications have been approved by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

3. Licensed social workers licensed by the Virginia Board of Social Work.

4. Nurses.

a. Certified nurse aides certified by the Virginia Board of Nursing; and

b. Licensed practical nurses licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing.

5. Occupational therapy assistants licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine.

6. Physical therapy assistants licensed by the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy.

D. Certified early intervention professionals and certified early intervention specialists shall demonstrate knowledge of early intervention principles and practices, including infant and toddler development, family-centered practice and multidisciplinary team practice, by successful completion of the early intervention principles and practices online training modules administered by the department. A score of at least 80% accuracy on each module's competency test shall be required for successful completion.