Virginia Code Title 54.1. Professions and Occupations § 54.1-3518. Scope of practice, supervision, and qualifications of registered behavioral health technicians

A. A registered behavioral health technician shall be (i) qualified to perform, under Board-approved supervision, collaborative behavioral health services, training on prevention of mental health and substance use disorders, and mental health literacy and the supportive functions of screening, intake, orientation, care coordination, client education, and recordkeeping and (ii) after three years of practicing as a behavioral health technician in good standing and completion of the required behavioral health technician supervisor training set forth by the Board, qualified to supervise, as part of a collaborative team, behavioral health technicians and behavioral health technician assistants. A registered behavioral health technician shall not engage in independent or autonomous practice and shall only perform collaborative behavioral health services.

B. Such registered behavioral health technician shall be supervised by a mental health professional licensed by the Department of Health Professions, a person under supervision that has been approved by the Board of Counseling, Board of Psychology, or Board of Social Work as a prerequisite for licensure who has completed the required supervisor training, or a registered qualified mental health professional who has practiced for three years and completed the required supervisor training.

C. Pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board, an applicant for registration as a behavioral health technician shall submit evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has (i) completed a specified number of hours of didactic education in a program or programs recognized or approved by the Board and (ii) received, at a minimum, an associate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board. A bachelor's degree shall not be a requirement for registration as a behavioral health technician.