Virginia Law

A. Licensees shall be required to complete a minimum of 14 hours of board-approved continuing education courses each year for annual licensure renewal. A minimum of 1.5 of these hours shall be in courses that emphasize the ethics, laws, and regulations governing the profession of psychology, including the standards of practice set out in 18VAC125-20-150. A licensee who completes continuing education hours in excess of the 14 hours may carry up to seven hours of continuing education credit forward to meet the requirements for the next annual renewal cycle.

B. For the purpose of this section, "course" means an organized program of study, classroom experience, or similar educational experience that is directly related to the practice of psychology and is provided by a board-approved provider that meets the criteria specified in 18VAC125-20-122.

1. At least six of the required hours shall be earned in face-to-face or real-time interactive educational experiences. Real-time interactive shall include a course in which the learner has the opportunity to interact with the presenter during the time of the presentation.

2. The board may approve up to four hours per renewal cycle for each of the following specific educational experiences:

a. Preparation for and presentation of a continuing education program, seminar, workshop, or academic course offered by an approved provider and directly related to the practice of psychology. Hours may only be credited one time, regardless of the number of times the presentation is given, and may not be credited toward the face-to-face requirement.

b. Publication of an article or book in a recognized publication directly related to the practice of psychology. Hours may only be credited one time, regardless of the number of times the writing is published, and may not be credited toward the face-to-face requirement.

c. Serving at least six months as editor or associate editor of a national or international, professional, peer-reviewed journal directly related to the practice of psychology.

3. Ten hours will be accepted for one or more three-credit-hour academic courses completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education that are directly related to the practice of psychology.

4. The board may approve up to two hours per renewal cycle for membership on a state licensing board in psychology.

C. Courses must be directly related to the scope of practice in the category of licensure held. Continuing education courses for clinical psychologists shall emphasize, but not be limited to, the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with moderate and severe mental disorders.

D. The board may grant an extension for good cause of up to one year for the completion of continuing education requirements upon written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date. Such extension shall not relieve the licensee of the continuing education requirement.

E. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements for one renewal cycle due to circumstances determined by the board to be beyond the control of the licensee.

F. Up to two of the 14 continuing education hours required for renewal may be satisfied through delivery of psychological services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving mental health services through a local health department or a free clinic organized in whole or primarily for the delivery of those health services as verified by the department or clinic. Three hours of volunteer service is required for one hour of continuing education credit.