Priority Prep: Master the New DBHDS Orientation & Exam Requirement

Virginia’s New Gatekeeper for Priority Services

Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has released a major update for new providers.Starting November 7, 2025, anyone applying for Priority 1 or Priority 2 services must:

1. Complete the DBHDS Initial Applicant Orientation; and

2. Pass a proctored Comprehensive Knowledge Exam with a minimum score of 85 percent.

This requirement, confirmed in an October 23 DBHDS memo, affects new applicants for services such as Crisis Stabilization, Intensive In-Home, and Mental Health Skill-Building Services.

Applications submitted without proof of orientation completion or exam results will not qualify for the expedited priority review process they’ll move to the non-priority waitlist until all documentation is received.

The change reflects DBHDS’s focus on competence before licensure: the department wants applicants to fully understand state expectations before beginning the application process.

Inside the 16-Module Orientation

The DBHDS Initial Applicant Orientation is structured to build baseline knowledge for all new providers. Each module includes a video presentation and self-assessment quiz.Together, they cover:

• How the DBHDS licensing process works

• Service definitions and documentation standards

• Human rights compliance, risk management, and incident reporting

• Staffing, supervision, and program operations

• Provider responsibilities under state regulations

Completion is verified through the Comprehensive Knowledge Exam, a proctored test that applicants must pass with an 85 percent score to qualify for priority review.

Why This Matters for New Providers

The new orientation and exam raise the bar for licensing readiness.Here’s what it means if you’re planning to apply for Priority Services:

• You’ll need to plan orientation time before submitting your application.

• Passing the exam now forms part of your licensing eligibility.

• Applicants who complete both steps early will move faster through the priority review queue.

• It’s no longer just paperwork, DBHDS wants to see clear evidence that new providers understand compliance fundamentals.

Magnate Consulting’s Priority Prep Course

Magnate Consulting’s Priority Prep: DBHDS Orientation & Exam Success System was built precisely for this moment.

Since 2018, Magnate Consulting has taught Virginia’s group home owners and behavioral health providers how to navigate licensing and compliance. Now, our Priority Prep Course translates that experience into a focused training path for the new DBHDS requirements.

FAQ

Q1: When does the new requirement begin? It applies to all Priority 1 and Priority 2 applications submitted on or after November 7, 2025.

Q2: What if I don’t complete the orientation or exam?Your application will be moved to the non-priority waitlist until proof of completion is received.

Q3: How do I register for the exam? Contact the DBHDS Office of Licensing Training Coordinator at Larisa.Terwilliger@dbhds.virginia.gov for exam registration details.

Sources

• Initial Applicant Orientation for Priority 1 and Priority 2 Service Applications, DBHDS Memorandum (October 23, 2025) – Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

• DBHDS Office of Licensing website.

Next Step: Prepare with Magnate Consulting

Don’t wait until the last minute. Start your DBHDS orientation prep with a team that’s been training Virginia providers since 2018. Learn how Magnate Consulting’s Priority Prep System can help you pass the exam and confidently move toward licensure.