How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia

Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia runs through the Virginia Board of Counseling, part of the Department of Health Professions (DHP). Virginia calls its supervised stage a Residency, requiring temporary licensure as a Resident in Counseling first.

Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Graduate Degree

You need a graduate degree that prepares individuals to practice counseling as defined in Virginia Code section 54.1-3500, from a CACREP-accredited program or one meeting the degree requirements of regulation 18VAC115-20-49, plus coursework covering 13 core content areas under 18VAC115-20-51.

Step 2: Apply for Temporary Licensure as a Resident in Counseling

Once you meet the degree and coursework requirements and have a qualified supervisor and worksite established, apply for Resident in Counseling status through Virginia's online licensing portal.

Step 3: Complete Your Residency

Virginia requires a Board-approved post-degree residency of 2,000 hours of face-to-face client contact in the provision of clinical counseling services, plus a minimum of 1 hour and maximum of 4 hours of individual supervision per 40 hours of work experience, for a total of 200 hours of individual face-to-face supervision. At least 100 of those supervision hours must come from a Licensed Professional Counselor specifically; the remainder may come from an LPC, marriage and family therapist, clinical or school psychologist, clinical social worker, substance abuse treatment practitioner, or psychiatrist.

Step 4: Pass the NCE or NCMHCE

Virginia accepts either the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination.

Step 5: Apply for Full LPC Licensure

Submit your LPC application with supervisor verification (in a signed, sealed envelope), quarterly evaluations, transcripts, and a $175 application fee.

Renewing Your License

Virginia LPCs complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing competency for each annual renewal, with at least 2 hours in ethics, standards of practice, or Virginia behavioral science law. Virginia's Boost! program helps eligible master's-prepared counselors pay for required clinical supervision with a DHP-approved supervisor.

Apply for Your License

Start or continue your application directly with Virginia Board of Counseling (DHP), the official licensing authority. Applications submitted anywhere else won't be processed.

Apply on the Board's Website

A Note on Accuracy

This post reflects information from the Virginia Board of Counseling and the Code of Virginia. Licensing rules, fees, and statutes change. Verify current requirements directly at dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Counseling before making any licensure decision.

Virginia's Boost! funding for clinical supervision is a real cost-saver worth checking on before you assume you have to pay a supervisor entirely out of pocket during residency.