Counselors · Virginia · Continuing education
Virginia Counselor (LPC) CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- LPC20 hours every year, including 2 h medical ethics, professionalism & law; renewal by June 30.
- LSATP20 hours every year, including 2 h medical ethics, professionalism & law; renewal by June 30.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
How many hours do I still need?
Find conferences in Virginia →
Calculated in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
03 Requirements
Virginia LPC CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20hours
- Renewal cycle
- 1 year
- Deadline
- Jun 30
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By June 30
- Accepted credit
- Formally organized learning or home study (full hour value): accredited college courses, university CE programs, government agencies/licensed facilities/hospitals, or sponsors certified/approved by IAMFC, AAMFT, AASCB, ACA, APA, CRCC, NAADAC, NASW, NBCC, a national behavioral health organization or certification body, AASCB/other state counseling board approved sponsors, AAPC. Individual activities: publications, presentations, new program development (max 8 h each; books 18 h), dissertation (18 h), clinical supervision/consultation received (max 10 h), leadership (max 8 h), practice-related programs (max 8 h)
- Renewal fee
- $130
- New licensees
- Licensed by examination: exempt from continuing competency for the first renewal after initial licensure.
- Audits & records
- Keep original documentation 2 years after renewal; random audits after each renewal period (18VAC115-20-107).
- Renew online
- www.dhp.virginia.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawEthics, standards of practice or laws governing behavioral science professions in Virginia | 2 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Up to 2 of the 20 hours may be met by unpaid counseling of low-income patients of a local health department or free clinic (3 hours service = 1 CE hour). Dually licensed persons (LPC/LMFT/LSATP) complete one set of 20 hours.
Good to know. Annual renewal on or before June 30 with attestation of continuing competency.
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · 18VAC115-20-100, -105, -106, -107 · checked Oct 28, 2026
Virginia LSATP CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 20hours
- Renewal cycle
- 1 year
- Deadline
- Jun 30
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By June 30
- Accepted credit
- Formally organized learning or home study (full hour value): accredited college courses, university CE programs, government agencies/licensed facilities/hospitals, or sponsors certified/approved by IAMFC, AAMFT, AASCB, ACA, APA, CRCC, NAADAC, NASW, NBCC, a national behavioral health organization or certification body, AASCB/other state counseling board approved sponsors. Individual activities: publications, presentations, new program development (max 8 h each; books 18 h), dissertation (18 h), clinical supervision/consultation received (max 10 h), leadership (max 8 h), practice-related programs (max 8 h)
- New licensees
- Licensed by examination: exempt from continuing competency for the first renewal after initial licensure.
- Audits & records
- Keep original documentation 2 years after renewal; random audits after each renewal period (18VAC115-20-107).
- Renew online
- www.dhp.virginia.gov ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawEthics, standards of practice or laws governing behavioral science professions in Virginia | 2 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Up to 2 of the 20 hours may be met by unpaid counseling of low-income patients of a local health department or free clinic (3 hours service = 1 CE hour). Dually licensed persons (LPC/LMFT/LSATP) complete one set of 20 hours.
Good to know. Annual renewal on or before June 30 with attestation of continuing competency. Licensed substance abuse treatment practitioners are licensed by the same Board.
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · 18VAC115-60-115, -116 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How many CE hours do counselors need in Virginia?
LPC: 20 hours every year. LSATP: 20 hours every year.
How do I verify a counselor license in Virginia?
Use the license lookup of the Virginia Board of Counseling (dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Counseling); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
Which CE topics are mandatory for counselors in Virginia?
LPC: Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 2 h (every renewal). LSATP: Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 2 h (every renewal).
Which CE courses count for counselors in Virginia?
LPC: Formally organized learning or home study (full hour value): accredited college courses, university CE programs, government agencies/licensed facilities/hospitals, or sponsors certified/approved by IAMFC, AAMFT, AASCB, ACA, APA, CRCC, NAADAC, NASW, NBCC, a national behavioral health organization or certification body, AASCB/other state counseling board approved sponsors, AAPC. Individual activities: publications, presentations, new program development (max 8 h each; books 18 h), dissertation (18 h), clinical supervision/consultation received (max 10 h), leadership (max 8 h), practice-related programs (max 8 h). LSATP: Formally organized learning or home study (full hour value): accredited college courses, university CE programs, government agencies/licensed facilities/hospitals, or sponsors certified/approved by IAMFC, AAMFT, AASCB, ACA, APA, CRCC, NAADAC, NASW, NBCC, a national behavioral health organization or certification body, AASCB/other state counseling board approved sponsors. Individual activities: publications, presentations, new program development (max 8 h each; books 18 h), dissertation (18 h), clinical supervision/consultation received (max 10 h), leadership (max 8 h), practice-related programs (max 8 h).
When is the renewal deadline for counselors in Virginia?
LPC: Licenses renew by June 30 (1 year cycle). LSATP: Licenses renew by June 30 (1 year cycle).