Virginia Law

Every applicant for certification by endorsement shall submit:

1. A completed application;

2. The application processing and initial certification fee;

3. Verification of all health or mental health licenses or certificates ever held in Virginia or in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement, the applicant shall have no unresolved action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis. The board will also determine whether any or all other professional licenses or certificates held in another jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to those sought in Virginia;

4. A current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB);

5. Attestation of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of substance abuse counseling in Virginia;

6. Further documentation of one of the following:

a. Active, unrestricted licensure or certification as a substance abuse counselor in another jurisdiction obtained by standards substantially equivalent to the education and experience requirements set forth in this chapter as verified directly from the out-of-state licensing agency or a copy of the regulations in effect at the time of initial licensure or certification; or

b. Verification of a current certification in good standing issued by NCC AP or other board-recognized national certification in substance abuse counseling obtained by educational and experience standards substantially equivalent to those set forth in this chapter; and

7. Verification of a passing score on an examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure or certification was obtained or on a board-approved national examination at the level for which the applicant is seeking certification in Virginia.