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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>63539</law_id><section_number>54.1-3606.3</section_number><catch_line>Licensure of psychological practitioners; independent practice</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><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="36">Psychology</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It is unlawful for any person to practice or hold himself out as a <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioner</span> in the Commonwealth or use the title of <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioner</span> unless he holds a license issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-231487" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall establish criteria for licensure as a <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioner</span>, which shall include the following: <a id="paragraph-231488" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Documentation that the applicant received a master&#x2019;s degree in psychology or counseling psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association, from a program equivalent to those accredited by the American Psychological Association as determined by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, or from a program accredited by another national accrediting body approved by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; and <a id="paragraph-231489" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Documentation that the applicant successfully completed the academic portion of a national exam recognized by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-231490" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Every <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioner</span> who meets the requirements of subsection B shall practice under the supervision of a <span class="dictionary">clinical psychologist</span> unless the requirements of subsection D are met. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall determine the requirements and procedures for such supervision. <a id="paragraph-231491" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioner</span> may practice without supervision upon: <a id="paragraph-231492" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Successful completion of the clinical portion of a national exam recognized by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; and <a id="paragraph-231493" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Completion of one year of full-time experience, as determined by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, of practice under the supervision of a <span class="dictionary">clinical psychologist</span>.
				Upon receipt of documentation of such examination and experience requirements and a fee as established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> to the <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioner</span> a new license that includes a designation indicating that the <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioner</span> is authorized to practice independently. <a id="paragraph-231494" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall determine appropriate standards of practice for <span class="dictionary">psychological practitioners</span>. <a id="paragraph-231495" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section. <a id="paragraph-231496" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3606.3/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2024, cc. 754, 761.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
