How to become a Counselor in Virginia

Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in Virginia. Most of these requirements, such as earning your Master’s degree, completing 3000 hours of supervised experience and passing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling examination, are likely to continue to be mandatory in the Virginia counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the Virginia Board of Counseling at (804) 376-4610 to make sure you are on the right track.

I’m a High School Graduate

Becoming a successful Virginia counselor requires two basic virtues, sincere caring and discipline. While sincere interest in another’s welfare requires years of maturity and the ability to empathize, you are already showing great amounts of discipline by researching Virginia counseling certification requirements.

Virginia counseling licensure requires that all applicants possess a minimum of a master’s level of education. The next step for you is to begin acquiring a college education.

You can either begin by enrolling in an associate’s degree program or enroll immediately in a four year bachelor’s degree program.

Click on the links below to browse schools offering psychology and counseling degree programs!

Once you have enrolled in a program, take advantage of your school’s career services department and learn how you can find employment or volunteer opportunities that are related to the counseling career path.

Already Received Bachelor’s Degree

After the completion of your bachelor’s degree, consider how you would like to begin specializing as you research master’s or doctoral programs in counseling or psychology fields. Virginia counseling certification requires all applicants possess a minimum of a master’s level of education. To acquire the mandatory educational qualifications request information from schools offering counseling programs in Virginia.

Make sure the schools you contact provide the appropriate experience requirements for Virginia counseling licensure. Information regarding supervision requirements can be found on the following Virginia Board of Counseling webpage.

Step One:

Register your supervisory contract with the Virginia Board of Counseling, including proof of either the education program you’re enrolled in or the completion of your degree program. Once these items have been submitted, you can begin the required 4000 hours of supervised work experience (2000 of these hours in direct client contact).

You can find more information regarding experience requirements and supervisor qualifications on the following Virginia Board of Counseling webpage (the easiest way to find in-depth information regarding these requirements is on the actual licensure applications).

Step Two:

You can submit the Virginia counseling licensure application to the Board, including all supporting forms and fees (transcripts must be sent directly from your educational institution).

You can download the application off the following Virginia Board of Counseling webpage.

Step Three:

Once the Board has evaluated and approved your application for Virginia counseling certification, you should be notified of your eligibility to take the written National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination. Once you have been approved to sit for the examination, you have two years to take the examination before your eligibility lapses.

More info about the examination can be found on the NBCC website.

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