Each is a different professional license, with different educational and supervised work experience requirements. All of these licenses require at least a master's degree.

The Virginia Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists and Substance Abuse Professionals (hereafter referred to as "the Licensing Board") is the regulatory body for both LPCs and LMFTs in Virginia.

VAMFT is planning the creation of a document comparing the various qualifications for these licenses in Virginia.