2006 Code of Virginia § 54.1-3501 - Exemption from requirements of licensure

54.1-3501. Exemption from requirements of licensure.

The requirements for licensure in this chapter shall not be applicable to:

1. Persons who render services that are like or similar to those fallingwithin the scope of the classifications or categories in this chapter,including persons acting as members of substance abuse self-help groups, solong as the recipients or beneficiaries of such services are not subject toany charge or fee, or any financial requirement, actual or implied, and theperson rendering such service is not held out, by himself or otherwise, as aperson licensed under this chapter.

2. The activities or services of a student pursuing a course of study incounseling, substance abuse treatment or marriage and family therapy in aninstitution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board orunder the supervision of a person licensed or certified under this chapter,if such activities or services constitute a part of the student's course ofstudy and are adequately supervised.

3. The activities, including marriage and family therapy, counseling, orsubstance abuse treatment, of rabbis, priests, ministers or clergymen of anyreligious denomination or sect when such activities are within the scope ofthe performance of their regular or specialized ministerial duties, and noseparate charge is made or when such activities are performed, whether withor without charge, for or under auspices or sponsorship, individually or inconjunction with others, of an established and legally cognizable church,denomination or sect, and the person rendering service remains accountable toits established authority.

4. Persons employed as salaried employees or volunteers of the federalgovernment, the Commonwealth, a locality, or of any agency established orfunded, in whole or part, by any such governmental entity or of a private,nonprofit organization or agency sponsored or funded, in whole or part, by acommunity-based citizen group or organization. Any person who renderspsychological services, as defined in Chapter 36 ( 54.1-3600 et seq.) ofthis title, shall be subject to the requirements of that chapter. Any personwho, in addition to the above enumerated employment, engages in anindependent private practice shall not be exempt from the requirements forlicensure.

5. Persons regularly employed by private business firms as personnelmanagers, deputies or assistants so long as their counseling activitiesrelate only to employees of their employer and in respect to their employment.

6. Persons regulated by this Board as professional counselors or personsregulated by another board within the Department of Health Professions whoprovide, within the scope of their practice, marriage and family therapy,counseling or substance abuse treatment to individuals or groups.

(1976, c. 608, 54-944; 1986, c. 581; 1988, c. 765; 1995, c. 820; 1997, c.901.)