Virginia Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Work as a Mental Health Professional can be challenging, so decoding all the CE information shouldn’t be an added stressor.

As part of our mission to make Mental Health Professionals work a bit easier, we’ve checked your state board’s CE info for you! Here are the essentials that will help you find Continuing Education for VA Psychologists, VA Social Workers, VA Marriage and Family Therapists, VA Counselors, and VA Addiction Counselors.

CEs for Virginia Mental Health Professionals

Click on the links below to view the CE/CEU requirements for each Profession. Please note: Unless otherwise stated, CE hours for Asynchronous and Required Topics are INCLUDED in the total CE hours required.

VA Psychologists

Psychologists (VA)

PhD, PsyD

Board website: Virginia Board of Psychology

VA Psychologist CE Requirements

Renewal PeriodAnnually
Total Hours
Self-study/Asynchronous allowed
14 CE hours
{8 CE hours}
Required Topics
– Psychology Ethics or laws

1.5 Ethics CE hours
At least 6 of the required CE hours must be earned face-to-face
or real-time interactive with presenter

Approved CE Providers

STATE Approvals NATIONAL Approvals
– any State Psychology Licensing Board
– any recognized Psychological
Association
– any recognized Mental Health
Professional Association
– Regionally Accredited Institution
of Higher Learning


– APA
– Other approvals*
AAMFT
AASECT
ACA
AMA
APA
NAADAC

NASW
NBCC
Courses must be directly related to the scope of practice
in the category of licensure held.

* “The following organizations, associations, or institutions are approved by the board to provide continuing education: 1. Any psychological association recognized by the profession or providers approved by such an association. 2. Any association or organization of mental health, health, or psychoeducational providers recognized by the profession or providers approved by such an association or organization. 3. Any regionally accredited institution of higher learning. 4. Any governmental agency or facility that offers mental health, health, or psychoeducational services. 5. Any licensed hospital or facility that offers mental health, health, or psychoeducational services. 6. Any association or organization that has been approved as a continuing education provider by a psychology board in another state or jurisdiction.” – 18VAC125-20-122. of VA Psychologist Rules

VA Social Workers

Social Workers (VA)

LBSW, LMSW, LCSW

Board website: Virginia Board of Social Work

VA Social Work CE Requirements

Renewal Period2 years
Total Hours
LCSW
LBSW, LMSW
Self-study/Asynchronous allowed

30 CE hours
15 CE hours
{No limit}
Required Topics
– Ethics or SW VA laws
for LCSW
for LBSW, LMSW


6 Ethics CE hours
3 Ethics CE hours
Category I are formally learning activities. A minimum of 20 hours for LCSW;
10 CAT I hours for LBSW and LMSW

Approved CE Providers

STATE Approvals NATIONAL Approvals
Accredited College or University
any State Social Work Licensing Board
– any State and local affiliates of listed
Professional Associations
– Federal, State or Local social service agencies
– ASWB
CSWE
– NASW
– Other approvals*
Courses or activities shall be directly related to the practice of social work
or another behavioral health field

* “Category I. Formally Organized Learning Activities. A minimum of 20 hours for licensed clinical social workers or 10 hours for licensed social workers shall be documented in this category, which shall include one or more of the following: a. Regionally accredited university or college academic courses in a behavioral health discipline. A maximum of 15 hours will be accepted for each academic course. b. Continuing education programs offered by universities or colleges accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. c. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by federal, state or local social service agencies, public school systems or licensed health facilities and licensed hospitals. d. Workshops, seminars, conferences or courses in the behavioral health field offered by an individual or organization that has been certified or approved by one of the following:
(1) The Child Welfare League of America and its state and local affiliates.
(2) The National Association of Social Workers and its state and local affiliates.
(3) The Association of Black Social Workers and its state and local affiliates.
(4) The Family Service Association of America and its state and local affiliates.
(5) The Clinical Social Work Association and its state and local affiliates.
(6) The Association of Social Work Boards.
(7) Any state social work board.
” – 18VAC140-20-105.(B)(1) of SW Regulations

VA Marriage & Family Therapists

Marriage & Family Therapists (VA)

LMFT

Board website: Virginia Board of Counseling

VA Marriage and Family Therapist CE Requirements

Renewal Period2 years
Total Hours
Self-study/Asynchronous allowed
20 CE hours
{No limit}
Required Topics
– Ethics

2 Ethics CE hours

Approved CE Providers

STATE Approvals NATIONAL Approvals
Accredited Colleges and Universities
any State Counseling Licensing Board
– Federal, State or Local governmental agencies
– any State and local affiliates of listed
Professional Associations
AAMFT
– ACA

– APA
– NAADAC
– NASW
– NBCC

– Other approvals*

* “Approved hours of continuing competency activity shall be one of the following types: 1. Formally organized learning activities or home study. Activities may be counted at their full hour value. Hours shall be obtained from one or a combination of the following board-approved, mental health-related activities: a. Regionally accredited university or college level academic courses in a behavioral health discipline. b. Continuing education programs offered by universities or colleges. c. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by federal, state, or local governmental agencies or licensed health facilities and licensed hospitals. d. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by an individual or organization that has been certified or approved by one of the following: (1) The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and its state affiliates. (2) The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and its state affiliates. (3) The American Association of State Counseling Boards. (4) The American Counseling Association and its state and local affiliates. (5) The American Psychological Association and its state affiliates. (6) The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. (7) NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals. and its state and local affiliates. (8) National Association of Social Workers. (9) National Board for Certified Counselors. (10) A national behavioral health organization or certification body. (11) Individuals or organizations that have been approved as continuing competency sponsors by the American Association of State Counseling Boards or a counseling board in another state. (12) The American Association of Pastoral Counselors.” – 18VAC115-50-96(B)(1)of VA MFT Regulations

VA Counselors

Counselors (VA)

LPC

Board website: Virginia Board of Counseling

VA Professional Counselor Requirements

Renewal Period2 years
Total Hours
Self-study/Asynchronous allowed
20 CE hours
{No limit}
Required Topics
– Ethics

2 Ethics CE hours

Approved CE Providers

STATE Approvals NATIONAL Approvals
Accredited Colleges and Universities
any State Counseling Licensing Board
– Federal, State or Local governmental agencies
– any State and local affiliates of listed
Professional Associations
AAMFT
– ACA

– APA
– NAADAC
– NASW
– NBCC

– Other approvals*

* “Approved hours of continuing competency activity shall be one of the following types: 1. Formally organized learning activities or home study. Activities may be counted at their full hour value. Hours shall be obtained from one or a combination of the following board-approved, mental health-related activities: a. Regionally accredited university or college level academic courses in a behavioral health discipline. b. Continuing education programs offered by universities or colleges. c. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by federal, state, or local governmental agencies or licensed health facilities and licensed hospitals. d. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by an individual or organization that has been certified or approved by one of the following: (1) The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and its state affiliates. (2) The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and its state affiliates. (3) The American Association of State Counseling Boards. (4) The American Counseling Association and its state and local affiliates. (5) The American Psychological Association and its state affiliates. (6) The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. (7) NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals. and its state and local affiliates. (8) National Association of Social Workers. (9) National Board for Certified Counselors. (10) A national behavioral health organization or certification body. (11) Individuals or organizations that have been approved as continuing competency sponsors by the American Association of State Counseling Boards or a counseling board in another state. (12) The American Association of Pastoral Counselors.” – 18VAC115-20-106(B)(1) of VA LPC Regulations

VA Addiction Counselors

Addiction Counselors (VA)

LSATP

Board website: Virginia Board of Counseling

VA Substance Abuse Counselors CE Requirements

Renewal PeriodAnnually
Total Hours
Self-study/Asynchronous allowed
20 CE hours
{No limit}
Required Topics
– Ethics

2 Ethics CE hours

Approved CE Providers

STATE Approvals NATIONAL Approvals
Accredited Colleges and Universities
any State Counseling Licensing Board
– Federal, State or Local governmental agencies
– any State and local affiliates of listed
Professional Associations
AAMFT
– ACA

– APA
– NAADAC
– NASW
– NBCC

– Other approvals*

* “Approved hours of continuing competency activity shall be one of the following types: 1. Formally organized learning activities or home study. Activities may be counted at their full hour value. Hours shall be obtained from one or a combination of the following board-approved, mental health-related activities: a. Regionally accredited university or college level academic courses in a behavioral health discipline. b. Continuing education programs offered by universities or colleges. c. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by federal, state, or local governmental agencies or licensed health facilities and licensed hospitals. d. Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses in the behavioral health field offered by an individual or organization that has been certified or approved by one of the following: (1) The International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and its state affiliates. (2) The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and its state affiliates. (3) The American Association of State Counseling Boards. (4) The American Counseling Association and its state and local affiliates. (5) The American Psychological Association and its state affiliates. (6) The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. (7) NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals. and its state and local affiliates. (8) National Association of Social Workers. (9) National Board for Certified Counselors. (10) A national behavioral health organization or certification body. (11) Individuals or organizations that have been approved as continuing competency sponsors by the American Association of State Counseling Boards or a counseling board in another state.” – 18VAC115-60-116(B)(1) of VA SATP Regulations

*Please note: This information is offered as a resource only. This information is provided as a courtesy and recommend you double check your state licensing board or accrediting organization for the latest regulations and specific requirements of your state when considering programs for Continuing Education credit. All licensed Professionals are solely responsible for understanding their licensing board’s requirements for continuing education training courses.  If you don’t know what these requirements are, you can find out by contacting your board.


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