Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted

HB 426 — Professional counselors; Board of Counseling to recognize NCE as a valid examination for licensure.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0443)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2024. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on April 04, 2024.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 7 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Board of Counseling; licensure of professional counselors without examination. Directs the Board of Counseling to recognize the National Counselor Examination as a valid examination for licensure as a professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

13 added · 18 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill HB 426 establishes that the National Counselor Examination (NCE) will be officially recognized by the Virginia Board of Counseling as a valid way for individuals to obtain licensure as professional counselors. This change is important because it aligns Virginia’s licensure process with national standards, potentially making it easier for qualified counselors to practice in the state. It ensures that the process meets both local requirements and any agreements Virginia has with other states regarding counseling licensure.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to direct the Board of Counseling to recognize the National Counselor Examination as a valid examination for licensure as a professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2024 SESSION CHAPTER 443 An Act to direct the Board of Counseling to recognize the National Counselor Examination as a valid examination for licensure as a professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
R O Approved [H 426] L L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
[H 426] Approved April 4, 2024 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
(NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors as a valid examination to meet the qualifications for licensure as a professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
1.
The Board does not conflict with the requirements set forth in any interstate compacts or agreements to which the Commonwealth is a party.
§ 1.
H E R
That the Board of Counseling (the Board) shall recognize the National Counselor Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors as a valid examination to meet the qualifications for licensure as a professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Board shall incorporate the NCE into its licensure regulations and procedures, provided that such recognition does not conflict with the requirements set forth in any interstate compacts or agreements to which the Commonwealth is a party.
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Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0443)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 443 (effective 7/1/24)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024

  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 27, 2024

  5. Impact statement from DPB (HB426ER)

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Signed by President

  8. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB426ER)

  9. Enrolled

  10. VOTE: Adoption (71-Y 28-N)

  11. Senate substitute agreed to by House 24108023D-S1 (71-Y 28-N)

  12. Passed Senate with substitute (24-Y 16-N)

  13. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB426S1

  14. Committee substitute agreed to 24108023D-S1

  15. Reading of substitute waived

  16. Read third time

  17. Impact statement from DPB (HB426S1)

  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

  19. Committee substitute printed 24108023D-S1

  20. Reported from Education and Health with substitute (14-Y 0-N 1-A)

  21. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  22. Senate subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  23. Assigned Education and Health Sub: Health Professions

  24. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

  25. Constitutional reading dispensed

  26. VOTE: Passage (54-Y 46-N)

  27. Read third time and passed House (54-Y 46-N)

  28. Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB426H1

  29. Committee substitute agreed to 24106345D-H1

  30. Read second time

  31. Read first time

  32. Impact statement from DPB (HB426H1)

  33. Committee substitute printed 24106345D-H1

  34. Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute (13-Y 9-N)

  35. Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations

  36. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 3-N)

  37. House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered

  38. Assigned sub: Health Professions

  39. Impact statement from DPB (HB426)

  40. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

  41. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24104508D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on · 63 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

VOTE: Adoption (71-Y 28-N)

Passed 70 Yea · 28 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 702801
Total 702801
% of votes cast 71%28%0%1%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Yea
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Yea
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Yea
Coyner, Carrie E. — Yea
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Not Voting
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Yea
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Yea
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Yea
James W. Morefield — Nay
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Yea
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Yea
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Yea
Milde, Paul V. — Yea
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Yea
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Yea
Owen, David — Yea
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Yea
R. Lee Ware — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Yea
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Terry G. Kilgore — Yea
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Yea
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Yea

Official roll call →

Passed Senate with substitute (24-Y 16-N)

Passed 24 Yea · 16 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 241600
Total 241600
% of votes cast 60%40%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Nay
Bryce E. Reeves — Nay
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Nay
Christopher T. Head — Nay
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Nay
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Nay
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Nay
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Nay
Mark J. Peake — Nay
McGuire, John J., III — Nay
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Nay
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Nay
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Nay
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Nay
Tara A. Durant — Nay
Timmy French — Nay
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 40000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Aaron R. Rouse — Yea
Angelia Williams Graves — Yea
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Bill DeSteph — Yea
Bryce E. Reeves — Yea
Carroll Foy, Jennifer D. — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
Danica A. Roem — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
David W. Marsden — Yea
Ebbin, Adam P. — Yea
Emily M. Jordan — Yea
Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr. — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
J.D. "Danny" Diggs — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
Jeremy S. McPike — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark D. Obenshain — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
McGuire, John J., III — Yea
R. Creigh Deeds — Yea
Richard H. Stuart — Yea
Russet Perry — Yea
Ryan T. McDougle — Yea
Saddam Azlan Salim — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Scott A. Surovell — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Subramanyam, Suhas — Yea
T. Travis Hackworth — Yea
Tammy Brankley Mulchi — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Yea
Timmy French — Yea
Todd E. Pillion — Yea
William M. Stanley, Jr. — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Education and Health with substitute (14-Y 0-N 1-A)

Passed 14 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 14001
Total 14001
% of votes cast 93%0%0%7%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Barbara A. Favola — Yea
Christie New Craig — Yea
Christopher T. Head — Yea
David R. Suetterlein — Yea
Hashmi, Ghazala F. — Yea
Jennifer B. Boysko — Yea
L. Louise Lucas — Yea
Lamont Bagby — Yea
Lashrecse D. Aird — Yea
Mamie E. Locke — Yea
Mark J. Peake — Yea
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg — Yea
Stella G. Pekarsky — Yea
Tara A. Durant — Not Voting
Todd E. Pillion — Yea

Official roll call →

VOTE: Passage (54-Y 46-N)

Passed 53 Yea · 46 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 534600
Total 534600
% of votes cast 54%46%0%0%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Nay
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Nay
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Yea
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Nay
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Nay
James W. Morefield — Nay
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Nay
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Milde, Paul V. — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Yea
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
R. Lee Ware — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Terry G. Kilgore — Nay
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Nay
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Yea

Official roll call →

Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute (13-Y 9-N)

Passed 13 Yea · 9 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 13900
Total 13900
% of votes cast 59%41%0%0%
How each member voted (22)
Member Party Vote
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Nay
Irene Shin — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Yea
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Wendell S. Walker — Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

labor education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 426 do?
Board of Counseling; licensure of professional counselors without examination. Directs the Board of Counseling to recognize the National Counselor Examination as a valid examination for licensure as a professional counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Who sponsors HB 426?
HB 426 is sponsored by Joshua G. Cole.
What is the current status of HB 426?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2024. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 426?
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