Virginia Counselor License Exam
To get licensed in Virginia, Professional Counselors are required to take an exam covering such subjects as assessment and diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy, and administration, supervision and consultation. Whether you live in Norfolk, Richmond, or Lynchburg or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your Professional Counselor’s license.
Need of a License: A license is needed to work as a counselor in Virginia. Licenses are granted by the Virginia Board of Counseling.
To qualify to become a licensed professional counselor in Virginia, the following must be met:
- Obtain a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school meeting credit limits.
- Meet supervised clinical experience requirements, defined as a 3.400 hour residency, 200 hours of which must include face to face supervision.
- An applicant must earn a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).
The Application for Licensure
An application for licensure and other information must be submitted to the address below on forms provided by the Virginia Board of Counseling that may be obtained online, or by contacting the Board by mail at:
Virginia Board of Counseling
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico Virginia 23233-1463
Phone: (804) 367-4610
Fax :( 804) 527-4435
coun@dhp.virginia.go
Test content of the NCMHCE
The test format comprises of 12 to 14 case studies. Each case study is followed by 10 multiple-choice questions, divided into counseling phases: the intake and assessment phase, the first follow-up counseling session, and the second follow-up counseling session. Candidates will have one hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam.
Six different counseling domains will be addressed throughout these case simulations, to include:
- Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling Skills and Interventions
- Professional Practice and Ethics
- Core Counseling Attributes
- Areas of Clinical Focus, which is the given information provided in each case study
For more information, see the NCMHCE Candidate Handbook.
How to Apply to Take the Exam
Apply online to take the NCMHCE.
License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
According to regulations, a license must be renewed every year, with at least 20 hours of board-approved continuing education completed, including at least two hours on professional ethics, standards of counseling practice or Virginia law governing behavioral science professions.
