Virginia Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Virginia licenses professional counselors through the Virginia Board of Counseling. The state utilizes a two-stage pathway consisting of the Resident in Counseling license followed by licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Individuals must complete a Board-approved residency, including supervised clinical experience and examination requirements, before qualifying for full licensure.

Virginia Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Board	Virginia Board of Counseling
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Initial / Associate License Title	Resident in Counseling
Total Supervised Hours Required	2,000 hours (face-to-face client contact)
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	2,000 hours
Required National Exam(s)	NCE or NCMHCE
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Virginia

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must complete a graduate degree in counseling or a related field.

Educational requirements include:

• Minimum 60 graduate semester hours (or 90 quarter hours)
  
• Degree must meet coursework standards defined in Virginia regulations
  

Virginia accepts:

• CACREP or CORE-accredited programs, or
  
• Non-accredited programs that meet Board requirements
  

Clinical training requirements include:

• A supervised internship of at least 600 hours, including
  
  • 240 hours of face-to-face client contact
    

Step 2: Obtain Resident in Counseling License

Applicants must obtain approval as a Resident in Counseling before beginning supervised post-graduate experience.

Requirements include:

• Submission of an application to the Board
  
• Verification of qualifying education
  
• Submission and approval of a supervisory contract
  

Important:

• Supervised hours do not count unless completed under an approved supervisory contract
  
• Residency must be formally approved before clinical hours begin
  

Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Residency

To qualify for LPC licensure, residents must complete a Board-approved residency.

Requirements include:

• 2,000 hours of face-to-face client counseling experience
  
• Minimum duration of 21 months
  

Supervision requirements include:

• 200 total hours of supervision
  
• At least 1 hour of supervision per 40 hours of work experience
  
• No more than 50% of supervision may be group supervision
  

Supervision must:

• Be provided by a qualified, Board-approved supervisor
  
• Occur concurrently with clinical work
  
• Be conducted in person or via secure, real-time video technology
  

Important:

• Hours accrued without approved supervision will not be accepted
  

Step 4: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass a Board-approved national counseling examination.

Accepted examinations include:

• National Counselor Examination (NCE counseling exam), or
  
• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

Supervision & Ethics in Virginia

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Virginia?

Supervisors must:

• Hold an active, unrestricted license as a:
  
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or
    
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
    
• Have at least two years of post-licensure clinical experience
  

Additional requirement:

• At least 100 hours of supervision must be provided by a licensed professional counselor
  

Can Residents Practice Independently in Virginia?

No. Residents:

• May not represent themselves as independent practitioners
  
• May not use the title “professional counselor”
  
• May not bill clients directly
  

Residents must:

• Use the title “Resident in Counseling” in all communications
  
• Disclose their supervised status to clients in writing
  

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

Virginia requires:

• At least 1 hour of supervision per 40 hours of work experience
  
• 200 total hours of supervision
  
• No more than 50% group supervision
  

What Documentation Is Required?

Applicants must submit:

• Verification of supervised experience
  
• Supervisor evaluation forms completed at least every three months
  
• Final documentation confirming total hours and competency
  

Supervised hours must:

• Be completed under an approved supervisory contract
  
• Be documented and verified in accordance with Board requirements
  

Who Is Responsible for Clinical Decisions?

The supervisor:

• Assumes full responsibility for the resident’s clinical activities as defined in the supervisory contract
  
• Oversees clinical work and ensures ethical and competent practice

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Virginia

Pro Tip
Ensure the supervisory contract is approved before beginning residency. Hours completed prior to approval will not count.

Warning
Failure to maintain required supervision ratios or submit required quarterly evaluations may delay or prevent licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Virginia

Can I Start a Private Practice as a Resident in Counseling in Virginia?

No. Residents must practice under supervision and may not independently provide counseling services or bill clients directly.

How Long Does It Take to Become Fully Licensed in Virginia?

Virginia requires:

• At least 21 months of supervised residency
  
• Completion of 2,000 hours of client contact
  

The total timeframe depends on completing:

• Educational requirements
  
• Examination requirements
  
• Supervised residency
  

Does Virginia Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Virginia accepts CACREP- or CORE-accredited programs, as well as non-accredited programs that meet Board-defined coursework requirements. Prospective applicants can explore Virginia counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited online counseling programs.

List of Programs