Part IX. Early Intervention Practitioner Certification Requirements
12VAC35-225-430. Certification required for early intervention professionals and early intervention specialists.
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.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-440. Supervision requirements.
A. Certified early intervention professionals providing supervision to other early intervention personnel shall complete the supervision training administered by the department. A score of at least 80% accuracy on the competency test shall be required for successful completion.
B. Certified early intervention specialists shall work under the supervision of a certified early intervention professional who has completed the required supervision training.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-450. Certification required for early intervention service coordinators.
A. Individual practitioners who provide service coordination to children enrolled in early intervention services shall be certified by the department as early intervention case managers.
B. Certified early intervention case managers shall hold:
1. A minimum of an undergraduate degree in any of the following fields:
a. Allied health, including rehabilitation counseling, recreation therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech or language pathology;
b. Child and family studies;
c. Counseling;
d. Early childhood;
e. Early childhood growth and development;
f. Early childhood special education;
g. Human development;
h. Human services;
i. Nursing;
j. Psychology;
k. Public health;
l. Social work;
m. Special education - hearing impairments;
n. Special education - visual impairments; or
o. Other related field or interdisciplinary studies approved by the department;
2. An associate degree in a related field such as occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, or nursing; or
3. A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, or an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field, plus three years' full-time experience, at least 32 hours per week, coordinating direct services to children and families and implementing individual service plans. Direct services address issues related to developmental and physical disabilities, behavioral health or educational needs, or medical conditions. Experience may include supervised internships, practicums, or other field placements.
C. Qualified persons shall demonstrate:
1. Expertise in the provision of service coordination services, as evidenced by successful completion of case management training approved by the department. A score of at least 80% accuracy on the case management training competency test shall be required for successful completion.
2. 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.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-460. Initial certification and recertification processes.
A. To apply for initial certification as an early intervention professional, early intervention specialist, or early intervention case manager, applicants shall:
1. Obtain the designated early intervention certification application package from the department; and
2. Submit a completed and signed application package to the department with:
a. A signed assurance that the applicant will comply with all federal and state early intervention requirements;
b. Documentation of the applicant's educational credentials, professional certification, licensing, endorsement, or other qualification for the practice of his discipline in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
c. Documentation of the applicant's successful completion of the training required by the department.
B. Any initial certification granted to a person who has made application for state certification, licensure, endorsement, or other qualification in his discipline and is awaiting licensure shall be valid only as long as that person meets the requirements of his discipline to practice in Virginia.
C. Three-year recertification. At least 30 days prior to the expiration of the practitioner's certification period, the certified early intervention practitioner shall submit an application for recertification to the department. This application shall include:
1. Documentation of the practitioner's continuing professional certification, licensing, endorsement, or other qualification for the practice of his discipline in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
2. Documentation that the practitioner has successfully completed at least 30 hours of continuing learning activities during the three-year certification period. The continuing learning activities shall address one or more of the following: (i) evidenced-based practices in early intervention services; (ii) changes in federal or state law, regulations, or practice requirements; (iii) topics identified on a personal development plan; (iv) training needed for new responsibilities relating to early intervention services; and (v) training required by the department. For each continuing learning activity, documentation shall include a description of the activity and sponsoring organization, if applicable; the date or dates of training; the number of hours; and a copy of a certificate or verification of attendance, if applicable.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-470. Notice of decision on application for certification or recertification.
The department shall provide written notice of the decision on the application for certification or recertification within 30 days of the receipt of a completed application and required documentation.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-480. Early intervention practitioner database.
Early intervention practitioners meeting the requirements for certification shall be included in the practitioner database maintained by the department. Early intervention practitioners are responsible for notifying the department of any change that may affect their early intervention certification status or their participation in Virginia's early intervention services system.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-490. Restoration of expired certifications.
A. An early intervention practitioner whose early intervention certification has expired may apply to the department for restoration of certification.
B. The department may restore early intervention certification for an early intervention practitioner under the following conditions:
1. The individual's early intervention certification has been lapsed for a period of less than one year; and
2. The early intervention certification:
a. Has lapsed because the early intervention practitioner failed to complete the three-year recertification requirements and the practitioner provides documentation to the department demonstrating (i) he is currently qualified for the practice of his discipline in the Commonwealth of Virginia and (ii) he has completed at least 30 hours of training addressing one or more of the topics specified in 12VAC35-225-460 C 2; or
b. Has lapsed because the early intervention practitioner's discipline-specific qualification expired and the practitioner provides documentation to the department demonstrating that he now holds a current license, certification, endorsement, or other qualification for the practice of his discipline in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
C. The department shall provide written notice of its decision to approve or deny the early intervention practitioner's request for restoration of his early intervention certificate within 30 days after the department receives a completed request and all required documentation.
D. Upon restoration of the practitioner's early intervention certification, the department shall record the active status of the certification in the practitioner database maintained by the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-500. Termination of certification.
A. The department shall terminate an early intervention practitioner's early intervention certification under the following circumstances:
1. The practitioner's discipline-specific license, certification, or endorsement has been suspended, revoked, or otherwise terminated by the appropriate Virginia health regulatory board or other Virginia entity exercising appropriate authority over the practitioner's discipline-specific license, certification, or endorsement; or
2. The practitioner fails to comply with his signed assurance that he will comply with all federal and state early intervention requirements.
B. The department shall notify the early intervention practitioner in writing of the date of and reason for termination and that the practitioner has been removed from the practitioner database maintained by the department.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.
12VAC35-225-510. Reconsideration of decision to deny or terminate certification.
A. In the event that the early intervention practitioner disagrees with the determination to deny or terminate certification, he may request reconsideration from the commissioner. The request shall be made in writing within 30 days of the date of the written notice of denial or termination and may include relevant additional information or documentation to support the request.
B. The commissioner shall review the request for reconsideration and information presented and issue a decision in writing within 30 business days following receipt of the request. The decision of the commissioner shall be a final case decision that may be appealed under the Virginia Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.