Virginia Code 54.1-3606.3: Licensure of psychological practitioners; independent practice
A. It is unlawful for any person to practice or hold himself out as a psychological practitioner in the Commonwealth or use the title of psychological practitioner unless he holds a license issued by the Board.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 54.1-3606.3
- Board: means the Board of Psychology. See Virginia Code 54.1-3600
- Clinical psychologist: means an individual licensed to practice clinical psychology. See Virginia Code 54.1-3600
- Includes: means includes, but not limited to. See Virginia Code 1-218
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Psychological practitioner: means a person licensed pursuant to § 54. See Virginia Code 54.1-3600
- Psychologist: means a person licensed to practice school, applied, or clinical psychology. See Virginia Code 54.1-3600
B. The Board shall establish criteria for licensure as a psychological practitioner, which shall include the following:
1. Documentation that the applicant received a master’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 Board, or from a program accredited by another national accrediting body approved by the Board; and
2. Documentation that the applicant successfully completed the academic portion of a national exam recognized by the Board.
C. Every psychological practitioner who meets the requirements of subsection B shall practice under the supervision of a clinical psychologist unless the requirements of subsection D are met. The Board shall determine the requirements and procedures for such supervision.
D. A psychological practitioner may practice without supervision upon:
1. Successful completion of the clinical portion of a national exam recognized by the Board; and
2. Completion of one year of full-time experience, as determined by the Board, of practice under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.
Upon receipt of documentation of such examination and experience requirements and a fee as established by the Board, the Board shall issue to the psychological practitioner a new license that includes a designation indicating that the psychological practitioner is authorized to practice independently.
E. The Board shall determine appropriate standards of practice for psychological practitioners.
F. The Board shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.