Virginia Administrative Code Title 18 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
Virginia Administrative Code Title 18, "Professional and Occupational Licensing," is a comprehensive collection of regulations goOverview of VAC Title 18
Title 18 of the Virginia Administrative Code establishes the rules and regulations for licensing, certification, and regulation of professions and occupations in Virginia. It is administered primarily by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and other regulatory boards.
The goal of Title 18 is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that professionals meet minimum standards of competence, ethics, and continuing education.
Purpose
Standardization: Provides uniform requirements for licensing and professional conduct across different occupations.
Public Protection: Ensures that only qualified and competent individuals are allowed to practice regulated professions.
Compliance and Enforcement: Establishes procedures for disciplinary actions, complaints, and penalties for violations.
Professional Development: Requires continuing education to maintain and improve professional skills.
Key Areas Covered in Title 18
1. Licensing and Certification
Sets requirements for obtaining and renewing licenses for professions and occupations regulated by the state.
Includes qualifications, examinations, background checks, and fees.
Examples of regulated professions:
Architects and engineers
Real estate brokers and agents
Barbers and cosmetologists
Contractors and electricians
Healthcare professionals (certain allied health and therapy professions)
2. Professional Boards
Each occupation typically has a governing board under DPOR or other agencies.
Boards establish rules for practice, approve educational programs, and enforce disciplinary standards.
Boards also advise the state on new regulations or updates to existing rules.
3. Continuing Education
Licensed professionals are often required to complete continuing education (CE) hours to maintain licensure.
CE ensures that professionals stay current with industry standards, technology, and best practices.
4. Standards of Practice
Defines acceptable and unacceptable practices within each profession.
Includes ethical obligations, recordkeeping, client confidentiality, and professional responsibility.
Provides guidelines for advertising, contracting, and service delivery.
5. Disciplinary Actions
Outlines procedures for filing complaints against licensees.
Boards may investigate complaints, hold hearings, and impose sanctions, including:
License suspension or revocation
Fines or civil penalties
Mandatory corrective education or probation
Ensures due process for both the licensee and the complainant.
6. Enforcement
Boards and the DPOR have authority to:
Conduct inspections and audits
Issue subpoenas or requests for records
Enforce compliance with regulations and statutes
Violations of Title 18 regulations can result in fines, civil penalties, or criminal prosecution depending on severity.
Practical Implications
For Professionals:
Must meet education, examination, and experience requirements.
Must follow continuing education and ethical standards.
Must maintain compliance with all rules to avoid disciplinary action.
For Consumers:
Title 18 protects the public from unqualified or unethical practitioners.
Provides avenues for complaints and redress.
For Regulatory Agencies:
Provides authority to regulate, monitor, and enforce standards.
Enables consistent statewide enforcement of professional standards.
Summary
VAC Title 18 = rules for licensing, regulation, and oversight of professionals and occupations in Virginia.
It ensures competence, ethics, and continuing education for regulated professions.
Includes licensing requirements, professional boards, standards of practice, disciplinary procedures, and enforcement mechanisms.
Overall, it protects the public while providing clear rules for practitioners.verning a wide array of professions and occupations within the Commonwealth of Virginia. These regulations are designed to protect public health, safety, and welfare by establishing standards for licensure, certification, and practice.
Key Characteristics and Agencies:
Broad Scope: Title 18 covers a vast range of professions, from healthcare and construction to various trades and business services.
Agency-Specific Regulations: Unlike some administrative codes that group all rules by topic, Title 18 is structured by the agency or board responsible for regulating a specific profession. Each agency has its own "chapter" or "agency" number within Title 18, under which its specific regulations are listed.
Primary Regulating Bodies: The two main umbrella agencies responsible for professional and occupational licensing under Title 18 are:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR): This department oversees a multitude of licensing boards for various trades and professions, including:
Board of Accountancy (Agency 5)
Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects (Agency 10)
Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors (Agency 15)
Auctioneers Board (Agency 25)
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Agency 40)
Board for Contractors (Agency 50) - This includes contractors, tradesmen, liquefied petroleum gas fitters, natural gas fitter providers, and certified backflow prevention device workers, among others.
Real Estate Board (Agency 135)
And many more...
Department of Health Professions (DHP): This department is the umbrella agency for numerous health regulatory boards. It provides investigative, inspection, and administrative services for these boards. Some of the boards under DHP include:
Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (Agency 30)
Board of Counseling (Agency 60)
Board of Dentistry (Agency 60)
Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers (Agency 70)
Board of Health Professions (Agency 75) - This board evaluates the need for coordination among health profession regulatory boards, assesses health occupations for regulation, and administers the Practitioner Self-Referral Act.
Board of Medicine (Agency 85) - Licenses various medical professions like acupuncture, chiropractic, medicine, occupational therapy, podiatry, etc., and also regulates physician assistants, athletic trainers, and others.
Board of Nursing (Agency 90) - Licenses registered and practical nurses, certifies nurse aides, and registers medication aides.
Board of Pharmacy (Agency 110)
Board of Physical Therapy (Agency 112)
Board of Psychology (Agency 125)
Board of Social Work (Agency 140)
Board of Veterinary Medicine (Agency 150)
Typical Content of Regulations within Title 18:
For each regulated profession or occupation, the corresponding agency's section within Title 18 generally covers:
Definitions: Specific terminology relevant to the profession.
Licensure/Certification Requirements: Details on education, experience, examination, and application procedures.
Renewal and Reinstatement: Procedures for maintaining and reactivating licenses.
Standards of Practice and Conduct: Ethical guidelines, professional responsibilities, and prohibited acts.
Continuing Education: Requirements for ongoing professional development.
Disciplinary Actions: Grounds for license suspension, revocation, or other penalties.
Fees: Information on application, renewal, and other associated fees.
Supervision Requirements: For professions that involve supervised practice (e.g., interns, residents).
Public Participation Guidelines: Procedures for public input on regulatory actions.
Accessing the Code:
The official source for the Virginia Administrative Code, including Title 18, is the Virginia Law Library (LIS) website provided by the Virginia General Assembly. Other legal research platforms like Justia Regulations and Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute (LII) also offer access, though it's always best to consult the official state source for the most up-to-date information.
RELATED Blog
0 comments