Travel Behavioral Health Jobs in Virginia
Virginia is a full NLC Nursing Compact state — psych RNs start fast. Travel Psych RN packages reach $2,100–$3,100/week (NoVA tops out highest). LCSW rates hit $62–$82/hr. LPC contracts pay $58–$76/hr. VDOC corrections BH — 30 adult facilities. Eastern State Hospital — oldest psych hospital in the US.
Virginia IS in the NLC Nursing Compact — Travel Psych RNs Can Start Immediately
Psych RNs holding an active NLC multistate compact license from any member state can practice in Virginia without a separate VA RN license — no waiting period, no additional licensing fees. Non-compact RNs must apply to the Virginia Board of Nursing (4–6 weeks). LCSWs and LPCs: Virginia uses LPC (not LPCC). Out-of-state LPCs apply for endorsement; LCSWs apply to the Virginia Board of Social Work.
Virginia Income Tax: 5.75% Graduated Rate — Among the Lowest in the Mid-Atlantic
Virginia's graduated income tax tops out at 5.75% on taxable income above $17,000 — significantly lower than Maryland (state + local up to 9%+), DC (up to 10.75%), and New Jersey (up to 10.75%). For travel healthcare workers, only the taxable base portion of your weekly package is subject to VA income tax; tax-free housing stipends and per diem are not taxed. This makes Virginia one of the more tax-favorable Mid-Atlantic travel destinations.
Virginia BH Credential Guide for Travel Clinicians
Virginia uses standard counseling and social work credentials with a few important distinctions — particularly that Virginia uses LPC, not LPCC, and has a unique substance abuse credential (CSAC).
LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Standard LCSW — issued by Virginia Board of Social Work (VBSW)
- Licensure by endorsement available for out-of-state LCSWs in good standing
- Requires: MSW, 3,000 supervised post-MSW hours, ASWB Clinical exam
- VA is not a member of the LCSW Compact — VA license required
- Allow 4–8 weeks for VA LCSW endorsement processing
- High demand at DBHDS state hospitals, Inova, VCU, and VA medical centers
LPC — Licensed Professional Counselor (NOT LPCC)
- Virginia uses LPC — NOT LPCC. Virginia does not have an LPCC credential.
- Issued by Virginia Board of Counseling (VBOC)
- Out-of-state LPCs: apply by endorsement to VBOC
- California LPCC holders: apply for VA LPC — different credential path
- Requires: master's in counseling, 3,400 supervised hours, NCE or NCMHCE
- Allow 4–8 weeks for VA LPC endorsement
LMFT — Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
- Standard LMFT — issued by Virginia Board of Counseling (VBOC)
- Licensure by endorsement for out-of-state LMFTs with equivalent hours
- Requires: master's in MFT, 2,000 client-contact hours, AMFTRB exam
- Demand concentrated in NoVA outpatient practices and community agencies
LCP + CSAC — Virginia-Specific Credentials
- LCP = Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Virginia Board of Psychology)
- CSAC = Certified Substance Abuse Counselor — VA's SUD credential (VBOTCE)
- CSAC is required for independent SUD treatment in Virginia facilities
- CSAC-A (Associate) available for supervised positions
- Opioid/fentanyl crisis drives high CSAC demand statewide — especially Appalachian SW VA
VDOC Behavioral Health — 30 Adult Facilities
The Virginia Department of Corrections operates 30 adult correctional facilities statewide, all of which maintain behavioral health programs under the VDOC Mental Health Services Division. CatSol has established connections with VDOC BH staffing programs. Corrections BH roles require specific clearances but offer competitive pay, structured shifts, and mission-driven work.
Deerfield Correctional Center
Medium-security facility in rural southeastern VA. BH staff provide individual counseling, group therapy, and mental health assessments. Southampton County is a rural MHPSA — remote placement with housing stipend premium.
Sussex State Prison (Sussex I & II)
Two high-security facilities in Sussex County, southeast VA. Sussex State Prison I & II house significant BH populations — psychologists, LCSWs, and psychiatric nursing staff serve both campuses under VDOC mental health contracts.
Pocahontas State Correctional Center
Located in Chesterfield County near Richmond metro — accessible location for travel BH clinicians. Medium-security; BH staff provide crisis intervention, forensic mental health evaluations, and ongoing counseling services.
Greensville Correctional Center
Virginia's largest correctional facility by capacity — maximum security in rural southeastern VA near the NC border. Active BH program with LCSWs, LPCs, and psych RNs. Emporia GSA housing rates apply; rural premium included.
VDOC BH Clearance Note: All Virginia correctional BH positions require VDOC background clearance, VA State Police criminal history check, and facility-specific orientation. CatSol coordinates the full VDOC credentialing and clearance process — typical timeline is 3–5 weeks from application to start date. Eligible credentials: LPC, LCSW, LCP, CSAC, QMHP-A, psych RN (inpatient BH experience preferred).
5 Key Virginia BH Facilities for Travel Clinicians
Virginia's behavioral health infrastructure spans historic state hospitals, major academic medical centers, and specialized regional hubs — each with distinct traveler demand and credential needs.
Eastern State Hospital — Williamsburg
Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg is the oldest public psychiatric hospital in the United States, founded in 1773 under Virginia's royal colonial government. Today it operates as a 300-bed modern state psychiatric facility under Virginia DBHDS. Eastern State treats adults with serious mental illness, forensic patients, and individuals involved with the Virginia civil commitment process. Travel psych RNs and BH clinicians find consistent short-term contracts here, with competitive DBHDS state hospital rates. The Williamsburg/Hampton Roads GSA area offers reasonable housing stipend rates.
Western State Hospital — Staunton
Western State Hospital in Staunton serves the Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia regions as one of Virginia's five DBHDS-operated state psychiatric hospitals. It provides inpatient psychiatric care for adults with serious mental illness and specializes in geriatric psychiatry and forensic mental health evaluations. Staunton is a mid-size city in Augusta County — lower cost of living with available housing for travel workers. Consistent demand for psych RNs, psychiatric aides, LCSWs, and LPCs. Connects clinicians to the rural Appalachian western VA BH shortage corridor.
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus — Northern Virginia
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Falls Church is the flagship of the Inova Health System — the dominant hospital network across Northern Virginia. Inova Fairfax operates a comprehensive behavioral health program including inpatient psychiatric units, crisis stabilization, and trauma-adjacent BH services adjacent to one of the busiest Level I trauma centers in the Mid-Atlantic. NoVA GSA housing rates are among the highest in Virginia (Fairfax County: $2,400–$3,200/mo), driving travel psych RN weekly packages to $2,600–$3,100/week. DC metro spillover demand creates year-round traveler need.
VCU Medical Center — Richmond
VCU Medical Center (Virginia Commonwealth University) in Richmond is Virginia's primary academic medical center and safety net hospital. VCU Psychiatry operates the largest inpatient psychiatric program in central Virginia — adult, geriatric, and dual-diagnosis units. As a Level I trauma center serving the entire Richmond metro and rural central VA, VCU sees a high volume of psychiatric holds and crisis presentations. Travel psych RNs at VCU earn $2,200–$2,700/week. Richmond MSA housing stipend: $1,600–$2,100/mo. Consistent traveler demand with relatively fast credentialing.
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital — Roanoke
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is the flagship of the Carilion Clinic system and the primary regional medical center for western and southwestern Virginia. Carilion operates a major behavioral health service line including inpatient psychiatric units at Carilion Roanoke Memorial and outpatient programs across the Roanoke Valley. Western Virginia — spanning Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the New River Valley — faces acute opioid/fentanyl crisis impact and significant MHPSA designations. Travel psych RNs in Roanoke earn $2,100–$2,600/week. Lower cost of living than NoVA or Richmond makes Roanoke very attractive for clinicians looking to maximize take-home pay.
Live Virginia Behavioral Health Travel Jobs
Updated every 4 hours. All travel packages include tax-free housing stipend + per diem.
Virginia BH openings rotate frequently — none matched right now.
Submit your profile and we'll match you to the next VA psych RN, LCSW, LPC, or VDOC BH opening the moment it posts.
Get Matched to VA BH JobsVirginia BH Pay by Credential & Region (2026)
Travel packages are all-in (taxable base + tax-free housing stipend + per diem). Northern Virginia GSA housing rates are significantly higher than other VA regions, driving NoVA weekly totals $400–$700 above state averages.
| Credential / Role | Northern VA (NoVA) | Richmond Metro | Hampton Roads | Roanoke / Western VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psych RN (Travel) | $2,600–$3,100/wk | $2,200–$2,700/wk | $2,100–$2,600/wk | $2,100–$2,500/wk |
| LCSW (Travel Contract) | $75–$82/hr | $65–$75/hr | $62–$72/hr | $60–$70/hr |
| LPC (Travel Contract) | $68–$76/hr | $60–$70/hr | $58–$68/hr | $56–$65/hr |
| LMFT (Travel) | $62–$72/hr | $56–$65/hr | $54–$63/hr | $52–$60/hr |
| LCP / Psychologist | $90–$115/hr | $80–$100/hr | $75–$95/hr | $72–$90/hr |
| PMHNP (Travel) | $2,800–$3,500/wk | $2,400–$2,900/wk | $2,300–$2,800/wk | $2,200–$2,700/wk |
| CSAC (SUD Counselor) | $52–$65/hr | $45–$58/hr | $44–$55/hr | $42–$54/hr |
All pay ranges are estimated 2026 market rates. Actual packages vary by facility, shift, specialty, and assignment length. VA income tax: graduated up to 5.75% on taxable base only. Tax-free stipends not subject to VA income tax.
Rural Virginia BH Shortage: 60+ Counties Are MHPSAs
More than 60 Virginia counties are federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas — concentrated in southwestern Appalachian Virginia and the rural Southside corridor.
Appalachian Opioid Crisis
Southwestern Virginia — Scott, Lee, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson, and Russell counties — bears among the highest opioid overdose death rates in the state. The Appalachian coal country corridor has limited BH infrastructure and desperate need for CSAC counselors, MAT clinic staff, and psych RNs. Rural premium stipends apply, and NHSC loan repayment eligible sites are common throughout SW VA.
Southside Corridor
The Virginia Southside — Henry, Pittsylvania, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and Lunenburg counties along the NC border — is one of the most economically distressed and BH underserved regions in Virginia. Hospital closures have eliminated local inpatient psych beds. Travel BH clinicians are often the primary providers of outpatient mental health services through MHSS agencies and FQHC-funded programs.
NHSC Loan Repayment Sites
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program offers up to $75,000 tax-free for BH clinicians at NHSC-approved sites in MHPSA-designated areas. Virginia's 60+ MHPSA counties include many NHSC-approved FQHCs and CMHCs. While NHSC LRP is generally for permanent staff (not short-term travelers), CatSol can connect you with Virginia facilities offering direct-hire packages with NHSC LRP eligibility for clinicians ready to commit longer-term.
Virginia BH Travel Jobs — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia in the NLC Nursing Compact? Can psych RNs start immediately?
Yes. Virginia is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Psych RNs who hold an active NLC multistate compact license can practice in Virginia without a separate VA RN license — no waiting period required. Compact RNs can begin Virginia contracts as soon as facility onboarding is complete. Non-compact RNs must apply to the Virginia Board of Nursing by endorsement; allow 4–6 weeks. PMHNP licensure requires separate Virginia Board of Nursing APRN authority — allow 6–10 weeks.
Does Virginia use LPC or LPCC? What about California LPCC holders?
Virginia uses LPC — Licensed Professional Counselor — issued by the Virginia Board of Counseling (VBOC). Virginia does NOT have an LPCC credential. California LPCC holders (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) must apply for VA LPC licensure by endorsement — the California LPCC credential and the Virginia LPC credential have different exam and hours requirements, so the process is similar to other out-of-state LPC endorsements. Allow 4–8 weeks for VA LPC licensure. Contact the Virginia Board of Counseling for current endorsement requirements.
What are the VDOC behavioral health job opportunities in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC) operates 30 adult correctional facilities and employs behavioral health clinicians at every facility under the VDOC Mental Health Services Division. VDOC BH roles include LCSWs, LPCs, psychologists (LCP), psychiatric nurses, and CSAC substance abuse counselors. CatSol has direct VDOC staffing connections — facilities with active BH traveler programs include Deerfield Correctional (Capron), Sussex State Prison I & II (Waverly), Pocahontas State Correctional (Chesterfield County), and Greensville Correctional (Emporia). VDOC clearances require 3–5 weeks.
What is Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg and why is it significant?
Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia is the oldest public psychiatric hospital in the United States, founded in 1773 as the Public Hospital for Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds under Virginia's royal colonial government. Today it operates as a modern 300-bed psychiatric facility under Virginia DBHDS (Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services), providing inpatient psychiatric care and forensic mental health services. For BH travel clinicians, Eastern State Hospital is a high-profile facility assignment with competitive DBHDS state hospital rates and consistent short-term contract availability.
Does Northern Virginia pay significantly more for travel BH jobs?
Yes — significantly more. Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, Prince William counties) commands the highest travel BH pay in Virginia due to DC metro area GSA housing rates and cost of living. Fairfax County GSA housing rates reach $2,400–$3,200/month, which drives Northern VA travel psych RN weekly packages to $2,600–$3,100/week all-in — versus $2,100–$2,500/week in Richmond and Hampton Roads. Inova Health System (Inova Fairfax, Inova Alexandria, Inova Loudoun) maintains year-round traveler demand across NoVA. The DC metro spillover also creates demand at Washington Hospital Center (DC), MedStar Georgetown (DC), and NIH Clinical Center (Bethesda) for clinicians willing to cross the VA/DC/MD border.
What is Virginia's state income tax rate and how does it affect travel healthcare workers?
Virginia's state income tax uses a graduated rate from 2% (under $3,000 taxable income) up to 5.75% (taxable income above $17,000). For travel healthcare workers, Virginia income tax applies only to the taxable base pay portion of your weekly package — not to tax-free housing stipends or per diem allowances. At 5.75% maximum, Virginia is among the lowest in the Mid-Atlantic region, significantly lower than Maryland (state + county/city tax up to 9.45%), DC (up to 10.75%), and New Jersey (up to 10.75%). Pennsylvania has a lower flat rate (3.07%) but applies it to all income. Virginia's graduated structure and the Mid-Atlantic context make it a relatively favorable tax state for travel workers.
Start Your Virginia Behavioral Health Contract
CatSol places BH clinicians at Eastern State Hospital, Western State Hospital, Inova Fairfax, VCU Medical Center, Carilion Roanoke, VDOC corrections facilities, and rural DBHDS-funded CMHCs across Virginia. NLC Compact verification, LPC & LCSW licensure coordination, VDOC clearances, and housing — all handled.