Part II. Requirements for Registration
18VAC115-80-40. Requirements for registration as a qualified mental health professional.
A. An applicant for registration shall submit:
1. A completed application on forms provided by the board and any applicable fee as prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20;
2. A bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education listed as accredited on the U.S. Department of Education College Accreditation database found on the U.S. Department of Education website or accredited by another accrediting agency recognized by the board;
3. Evidence of completion of 80 hours of didactic education in a program recognized or approved by the board, unless such evidence was provided to the board to obtain a registration as a QMHP-trainee;
4. Evidence of 1,500 hours of supervised experience obtained within a five-year period immediately preceding application for registration;
5. A current report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB); and
6. Verification of any other mental health or health professional license, certification, or registration ever held in Virginia or another jurisdiction. An applicant for registration as a QMHP shall have no unresolved disciplinary action. The board will consider a history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis as grounds for denial under 18VAC115-80-100.
B. Experience required for registration.
1. To be registered as a QMHP, an applicant shall provide documentation of experience in providing direct services to individuals as part of a population of adults or children with mental illness in a setting where mental health treatment, practice, observation, or diagnosis occurs. The services provided shall be appropriate to the practice of a QMHP.
2. The following may serve as a supervisor for a QMHP-trainee:
a. A licensed mental health professional licensed by a board of the Department of Health Professions who has completed the required supervisor training;
b. A person under supervision who has been approved by the Board of Counseling, Board of Psychology, or Board of Social Work and who has completed the required supervisor training; or
c. A registered QMHP who has (i) practiced for three years and (ii) completed the required supervisor training.
3. Supervision obtained in another United States jurisdiction shall be provided by a mental health professional licensed in that jurisdiction.
4. Supervision shall consist of face-to-face training in the services of a QMHP until the supervisor determines competency in the provision of such services, after which supervision may be indirect in which the supervisor is either on site or immediately available for consultation with the person being trained.
5. Hours obtained in a bachelor's or master's level internship or practicum in a human services field may be counted toward completion of the required hours of experience.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400, 54.1-3500, 54.1-3505, and 54.1-3520 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. November 13, 2019; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 2, eff. October 29, 2020; Volume 41, Issue 17, eff. May 7, 2025.
18VAC115-80-50. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. November 13, 2019; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 2, eff. October 29, 2020; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 17, eff. May 7, 2025.
18VAC115-80-60. [Reserved].
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3505 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Reserved, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 4, eff. November 13, 2019.
18VAC115-80-65. Requirements for registration as a qualified mental health professional-trainee.
Prior to receiving supervised experience toward registration as a QMHP, an applicant for registration as a QMHP-trainee shall provide a completed application, the fee prescribed in 18VAC115-80-20, and verification of the following:
1. Enrollment in or completion of a bachelor's degree program from an institution of higher education listed as accredited on the U.S. Department of Education College Accreditation database found on the U.S. Department of Education website or accredited by another accrediting agency recognized by the board;
2. Evidence of completion of 60 hours of didactic education in a program recognized or approved by the board; and
3. Verification of any other mental health or health professional license, certification, or registration ever held in Virginia or another jurisdiction. An applicant for registration as a QMHP-trainee shall have no unresolved disciplinary action. The board will consider a history of disciplinary action on a case-by-case basis as grounds for denial under 18VAC115-80-100.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-3521 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 17, eff. May 7, 2025.