Domestic violence classes by state · Virginia
Court-Ordered Domestic Violence Classes in Virginia
If a Virginia court ordered you into a domestic violence class, it almost certainly means the state's certified program — Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP), also called a Batterer Intervention Program (BIP), certified by the Virginia Batterer Intervention Program Certification Board — not a generic anger-management class. Here's what that program is, how long it runs, whether it can be done online, and how to find one your court will accept.
If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 911. To talk to someone about domestic violence — as a survivor or if you're worried about your own behavior — the National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.
Quick answer: domestic violence classes in Virginia
Varies by court / provider. Under Virginia's certification standards (revised June 2025), certified programs may offer virtual or hybrid groups, but every certified program must also have an in-person meeting site in Virginia. Programs are risk-tiered group treatment of at least 24 weeks — not a short anger-management class. Whether a virtual format is accepted for your case is up to the court or local probation, so confirm before you enroll. the Virginia court that ordered you (general district, juvenile and domestic relations, or circuit court) or your local probation officer decides what counts — confirm the specific certified program and format before you enroll or pay.
Anger management is not the same thing. Read anger management vs. batterer intervention to make sure you sign up for the right program the first time.
At a glance
| What courts order | Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP), also called a Batterer Intervention Program (BIP), certified by the Virginia Batterer Intervention Program Certification Board |
|---|---|
| When it's required | Virginia courts order batterer intervention case by case. Under Va. Code § 18.2-57.3, a first offense of assault and battery against a family or household member can be deferred with local community-based probation, conditioned on completing the treatment, education programs, or services indicated by an assessment or ordered by the court. In protective orders, Va. Code § 16.1-279.1 lets the court order the respondent to participate in treatment, counseling, or other programs. |
| Typical length | Set by risk level under the June 2025 standards: low-risk participants complete at least 36 hours over 24 weeks; moderate- and higher-risk participants at least 54 hours over 36 weeks (some programs also offer 78 hours over 52 weeks). Group sessions are at least 90 minutes. Older materials citing 18 weeks are out of date. |
| In person or online? | Varies by court / provider |
| Who certifies / approves it | Virginia's certification is run by the Virginia Batterer Intervention Program Certification Board, an independent multidisciplinary board (including the Virginia Community Criminal Justice Association, certified providers, and victim advocates) — not a state agency. The certification standards were developed by private organizations after a 1998 bill to have a state agency write them was tabled. Virginia's Judicial System links to the Board's directory of certified programs. Certification is renewed annually. |
Virginia-specific rules to know
- CRITICAL DISTINCTION: a certified Virginia DVIP is NOT anger management. The certification standards say providers will not use anger-management treatment as an alternative to a DVIP, will not place anger-management referrals in domestic violence groups, and will not treat anger as the primary cause of domestic violence — so an anger-management certificate generally will not satisfy a domestic-violence order.
- Certified programs may not offer shortened domestic violence services for court-ordered referrals: the minimum is 36 hours over 24 weeks, and your level can be extended if your assessed risk rises during treatment.
- Cost rules come from the statute: under Va. Code § 18.2-57.3 the court orders you to pay all or part of the program costs based on your ability to pay, and programs must offer a sliding-scale fee structure or another way to help people who cannot pay the full cost.
- A § 18.2-57.3 deferral also requires at least two years of good behavior. If you fulfill the conditions, the court discharges you and dismisses the proceedings; if you violate them, the court may enter a finding of guilt.
- Certification is by an independent board, not a state agency, and certification must be renewed every year. Confirm with the court or local probation that your chosen program is certified and accepted for your case before paying.
Find an accepted domestic violence program in Virginia
A certified program is not the same as a class you find on your own, so the safest move is to confirm the specific provider with the Virginia court that ordered you (general district, juvenile and domestic relations, or circuit court) or your local probation officer before you pay:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for certified domestic violence programs in Virginia — then check any provider against your court's order, and confirm it is on the certified/approved list, before enrolling.
Source & accuracy: compiled from official Virginia statutes and certifying-agency sources. Requirements change and vary by court and case — always confirm the certified program, format, length, and deadline with the court that ordered you before enrolling. Sources: vabipboard.org, vabipboard.org/images/pdfs/VA_Certification_Standards_for_DV_Intervention_Programs_06-2025.pdf, vabipboard.org/images/pdfs/Virginia-Certified-BIPs-as-of_4.27.2026.pdf, law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-57.3, law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title16.1/chapter11/section16.1-279.1, courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/djs/programs/dvps/home.