<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55659</law_id><section_number>54.1-3505</section_number><catch_line>Specific powers and duties of the Board</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-3508</reference><reference>54.1-3515</reference><reference>54.1-3600</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="35">Professional Counseling</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>In addition to the powers granted in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="General powers and duties of health regulatory boards" href="/54.1-2400/">54.1-2400</a>, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall have the following specific powers and duties:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To cooperate with and maintain a close liaison with other professional <span class="dictionary">boards</span> and the community to ensure that regulatory systems <span class="dictionary">stay</span> abreast of community and professional needs. <a id="paragraph-204009" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To conduct inspections to ensure that licensees conduct their practices in a competent manner and in conformance with the relevant regulations. <a id="paragraph-204010" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> To designate specialties within the profession. <a id="paragraph-204011" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> To administer the certification of rehabilitation providers pursuant to Article 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/54.1-3510/">54.1-3510</a> et seq.) of this chapter, including prescribing fees for application processing, examinations, certification and certification renewal. <a id="paragraph-204012" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> [Expired.] <a id="paragraph-204013" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> To promulgate regulations for the qualifications, education, and experience for licensure of <span class="dictionary">marriage and family therapists</span>. The requirements for clinical membership in the American Association for <span class="dictionary">Marriage and Family Therapy</span> (AAMFT), and the professional examination service&#x2019;s national <span class="dictionary">marriage and family therapy</span> examination may be considered by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> in the promulgation of these regulations. The educational credit hour, clinical experience hour, and clinical <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> hour requirements for <span class="dictionary">marriage and family therapists</span> shall not be less than the educational credit hour, clinical experience hour, and clinical <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> hour requirements for <span class="dictionary">professional counselors</span>. <a id="paragraph-204014" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> To promulgate, subject to the requirements of Article 1.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Scope of practice of and qualifications for licensed substance abuse treatment practitioners" href="/54.1-3507/">54.1-3507</a> et seq.) of this chapter, regulations for the qualifications, education, and experience for licensure of <span class="dictionary">licensed <span class="dictionary">substance abuse treatment</span> practitioners</span> and certification of <span class="dictionary">certified substance abuse counselors</span> and <span class="dictionary">certified substance abuse counseling assistants</span>. The requirements for membership in NAADAC: the Association for Addiction Professionals and its national examination may be considered by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> in the promulgation of these regulations. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> also may provide for the consideration and use of the accreditation and examination services offered by the Substance Abuse Certification Alliance of Virginia. The educational credit hour, clinical experience hour, and clinical <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> hour requirements for <span class="dictionary">licensed <span class="dictionary">substance abuse treatment</span> practitioners</span> shall not be less than the educational credit hour, clinical experience hour, and clinical <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> hour requirements for licensed <span class="dictionary">professional counselors</span>. Such regulations also shall establish standards and protocols for the clinical <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> of <span class="dictionary">certified substance abuse counselors</span> and the <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> or direction of <span class="dictionary">certified substance abuse counseling assistants</span>, and reasonable access to the persons providing that <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> or direction in settings other than a licensed facility. <a id="paragraph-204015" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> To maintain a registry of persons who meet the requirements for <span class="dictionary">supervision</span> of <span class="dictionary">residents</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall make the registry of approved supervisors available to persons seeking residence status. <a id="paragraph-204016" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> To promulgate, subject to the requirements of Article 4 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Scope of practice, supervision, and qualifications of registered behavioral health technicians" href="/54.1-3518/">54.1-3518</a> et seq.), regulations for the qualifications, training, <span class="dictionary">supervision</span>, and experience for the registration of <span class="dictionary">behavioral health technicians</span>, <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">behavioral health technician</span> assistants</span>, <span class="dictionary">qualified mental health professionals</span>, and <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">qualified mental health professional</span>-trainees</span>. <a id="paragraph-204017" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> To promulgate regulations for the registration of peer recovery specialists who meet the qualifications, education, and experience requirements established by regulations of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers and duties of Board" href="/37.2-203/">37.2-203</a>. <a id="paragraph-204018" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> To promulgate regulations for the issuance of temporary licenses to individuals engaged in a counseling <span class="dictionary">residency</span> so that they may acquire the supervised, postgraduate experience required for licensure. <a id="paragraph-204019" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3505/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1976, c. 608, &#xA7;&#xA7; 54-929, 54-931; 1983, c. 115; 1986, cc. 64, 100, 464; 1988, c. 765; 1994, cc. 558, 778; 1995, c. 820; 1997, c. 901; 2001, c. 460; 2013, c. 264; 2017, cc. 418, 426; 2019, cc. 101, 217, 428; 2024, c. 595.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
