Virginia had more than 11,000 licensed professional counselors (LPCs) in 2024-2025, according to the state's Healthcare Workforce Data Center 2025 survey. Among 9,802 respondents, 96% reported satisfaction with their work.
To become a licensed counselor in Virginia, you must meet specific education, training, and licensing requirements. The path to licensure depends on your specialty, but most careers require a graduate degree in counseling, supervised experience, and state credentials.
Keep reading to learn about licensure requirements, timelines, salary data, and career outlook for counselors in Virginia.
Typical Requirements to Become a Counselor in Virginia
Although requirements differ depending on the specific credential, most counseling careers in Virginia follow a similar set of educational, training, and licensing steps:
Earn a bachelor's degree in psychology or a closely related field, such as human services.
Complete an accredited master's in counseling program.
Gain the supervised clinical or field experience required for your counseling credential.
Pass examinations required by the VA licensing or certification board.
Submit your application for licensure or certification.
Popular Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Virginia Counselor Licensure Requirements
Virginia counseling licensure requirements vary depending on your degree and desired field of work. You can get credentialed as a licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or school counselor.
The Virginia Board of Counseling oversees licensure for counselors and marriage and family therapists, while the Department of Education handles licensure for school counselors in the state. Here are the Virginia counseling licensure requirements:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Virginia?
The time it takes to become a counselor in Virginia varies depending on the degree and license type you pursue. After completing your bachelor's degree, you can expect to spend at least four years completing Virginia counseling licensure requirements.
A master's degree takes two to three years of full-time study to complete, while a doctoral degree takes six to eight years. The required postgraduate supervised experience for all counseling licenses in Virginia takes around two years to obtain.
Popular Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Virginia
Virginia does not have licensing reciprocity with other states for LPCs or MFTs. As of June 2026, Virginia has joined the Counseling Compact, which will eventually allow LPCs to practice in other member states without additional licenses, but it has not yet launched.
However, if you hold an active counseling license in another state, you can obtain licensure by endorsement. You may be eligible for licensing reciprocity in Virginia if you hold a valid out-of-state school counselor license. You can use the Virginia Department of Education's comparison tool to see if your state is eligible for licensing reciprocity.
Salary Expectations for Counselors in Virginia
Virginia counselors and therapists earn median annual salaries ranging from about $59,000 to $80,000, according to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. These professionals have an edge in Virginia compared with national median salaries for the same roles, which range from about $59,000 to $67,000.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that the average starting salary for master's degree graduates in the class of 2024 was $55,577.
| Counseling Career | Median Annual Wage | Total Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $67,660 | 9,450 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $79,900 | 930 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,880 | 17,940 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Professional Organizations for Counselors in Virginia
Virginia Counselors Association: VCA is a nonprofit organization that serves counselors in Virginia working in various settings. It offers networking opportunities across the state and advocacy, professional development, publication, and ethics support through its many committees.
Virginia Association of Clinical Counselors: VACC is a chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). While the VACC's primary mission is to advocate for the clinical counseling profession in Virginia, the organization also offers workshops and ethics support to its members.
Virginia Mental Health Counselors Association: VMHA is another state chapter of the AMHCA, supporting all counselors, counseling students, marriage and family therapists, and substance use counselors through networking, advocacy, and professional development.
Virginia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: VAMFT is the state's professional association for MFTs. Serving over 350 members, VAMFT provides professional development, networking opportunities, mentoring through the licensure process, and legislative advocacy.
Virginia School Counselor Association: VSCA is a state chapter of the American School Counselor Association and offers school counselors in the state professional development and networking opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and state legislative lobbying for the school counseling profession.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Virginia
No, you must hold a license to provide independent counseling services in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Counseling oversees licensure for counselors and marriage and family therapists, while the Virginia Department of Education handles licensure for school counselors.
