Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-3600 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026

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As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Applied psychologist" means an individual licensed to practice applied psychology.

"Board" means the Board of Psychology.

"Certified sex offender treatment provider" means a person who is certified to provide treatment to sex offenders and who provides such services in accordance with the provisions of §§ 54.1-3005, 54.1-3505, 54.1-3611, and 54.1-3705 and the regulations promulgated pursuant to these provisions.

"Clinical psychologist" means an individual licensed to practice clinical psychology.

"Practice of applied psychology" means application of the principles and methods of psychology to improvement of organizational function, personnel selection and evaluation, program planning and implementation, individual motivation, development and behavioral adjustment, as well as consultation on teaching and research.

"Practice of clinical psychology" includes, but is not limited to:

1. "Testing and measuring" that consists of the psychological evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics such as intelligence, abilities, interests, aptitudes, achievements, motives, personality dynamics, psychoeducational processes, neuropsychological functioning, or other psychological attributes of individuals or groups.

2. "Diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders" that consists of the appropriate diagnosis of mental disorders according to standards of the profession and the ordering or providing of treatments according to need. Treatment includes providing counseling, psychotherapy, marital/family therapy, group therapy, behavior therapy, psychoanalysis, hypnosis, biofeedback, and other psychological interventions with the objective of modification of perception, adjustment, attitudes, feelings, values, self-concept, personality, or personal goals, the treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse, the treatment of disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, pain, injury, or disability.

3. "Psychological consulting" that consists of interpreting or reporting on scientific theory or research in psychology, rendering expert psychological or clinical psychological opinion or evaluation, or engaging in applied psychological research, program or organizational development, or administration, supervision, or evaluation of psychological services.

"Practice of psychology" means the practice of applied psychology, clinical psychology, or school psychology.

The "practice of school psychology" means:

1. "Testing and measuring" that consists of psychological assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis relative to the assessment of intellectual ability, aptitudes, achievement, adjustment, motivation, personality, or any other psychological attribute of persons as individuals or in groups that directly relates to learning or behavioral problems that impact education.

2. "Counseling" that consists of professional advisement and interpretive services with children or adults for amelioration or prevention of problems that impact education. Counseling services relative to the practice of school psychology include but are not limited to the procedures of verbal interaction, interviewing, behavior modification, environmental manipulation, and group processes.

3. "Consultation" that consists of educational or vocational consultation or direct educational services to schools, agencies, organizations, or individuals. Psychological consulting relative to the practice of school psychology is directly related to learning problems and related adjustments.

4. Development of programs such as designing more efficient and psychologically sound classroom situations and acting as a catalyst for teacher involvement in adaptations and innovations.

"Psychological practitioner" means a person licensed pursuant to § 54.1-3606.3 to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders by providing counseling, psychotherapy, marital therapy, family therapy, group therapy, or behavioral therapy and to provide an assessment and evaluation of an individual's intellectual or cognitive ability, emotional adjustment, or personality, as related to the treatment of mental or emotional disorders.

"Psychologist" means a person licensed to practice school, applied, or clinical psychology.

"School psychologist" means a person licensed by the Board of Psychology to practice school psychology.

1976, c. 608, § 54-936; 1987, cc. 522, 543; 1988, c. 765; 1994, c. 778; 1996, cc. 937, 980; 2004, c. 11; 2024, cc. 754, 761.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 7 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1989–2021 · leading case: Artis v. Ottenberg's Bakers, Inc., 608 S.E.2d 512 (Va. Ct. App. 2005).

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Artis v. Ottenberg's Bakers, Inc., 608 S.E.2d 512 (Va. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “Code § 54.1-3600 (defining the " [p]ractice of clinical psychology" as, inter alia, the " [d]iagnosis.”

Schwartz v. Schwartz, 616 S.E.2d 59 (Va. Ct. App. 2005). “1-3700, or licensed psychologist, as defined in § 54.1-3600, shall be required in giving testimony as a witness in any civil action to disclose any information communicated to him in a confidential manner, properly entrusted to him in his professional capacity and necessary to…”

Fitzgerald v. Com., 643 S.E.2d 162 (Va. 2007). · cites it 2× “1, Chapter 36 of the Code, which is entitled "Psychology," Code §§ 54.1-3600 through -3616, contains "no mention of a licensed professional counselor or anyone other than a psychologist.”

Morency v. Com., 649 S.E.2d 682 (Va. 2007). “Prior to the hearing the court shall order a comprehensive assessment of the applicant by a panel of three certified sex offender treatment providers as defined in § 54.1-3600. A report of the assessment shall be filed with the court prior to the hearing.”

McCarthy v. Atwood, 67 Va. Cir. 237 (Portsmouth Cir. Ct. 2005). · cites it 3× “The Virginia Administrative Code also recognizes the particular expertise of neuropsychologists, noting that, in order for the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to authorize payment to nursing homes caring for those with traumatic brain injuries, they must…”

Justin Blake Cox v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2021). “Upon a finding by the court that a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is not reasonably available for the instant case, the court may appoint a state licensed clinical social worker who has been certified by the Commonwealth as a sex offender treatment provider as defined in…”

Hairfield v. Hairfield, 18 Va. Cir. 256 (Chesterfield Cir. Ct. 1989). “Hulbert apparently is a licensed psychologist as defined by § 54.1-3600 (see her Deposition, pages 4-5), and therefore, § 8.”

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