Behavioral Health Careers by State
The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for those interested in a job or career in the fields of mental health and substance use. There are many options to start and grow a behavioral health career--all with varying requirements for entry and maintenance, which often varies by state. This guide can help you understand the basic requirements to enter the field in each state. You can also learn more about each role.
Virginia Careers
Addiction Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Counseling
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3400 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3400 hours (generally supervised); 200 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 12 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 20 hours |
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Nursing
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes for nurse licensure; no for APRN | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Must be a licensed RN | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Not specified | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, Must hold current certification in a specialty practice |
Clinical Social Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Social Work
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 30 hours |
Community Health Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | None (but 60 hours of specified education) |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 2000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 50 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | No | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 30 hours |
Marriage and Family Therapist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Counseling
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3400 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3400 hours (generally supervised); 200 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 12 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 20 hours |
Mental Health Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Counseling
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3400 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3400 hours (generally supervised); 200 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 12 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 20 hours |
Physician Assistant
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Medicine
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 100 CME credits through NCCPA |
Prevention Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Certification Board
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Undergraduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 4000 or 6000 hours (depends on relevance of degree) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 120 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 40 hours |
Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Medicine
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Postgraduate training (e.g., residency) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Not specified | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 60 hours |
Psychologist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Psychology
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours (generally supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 12 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 14 hours |