{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-100.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-100.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-100.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-100.html"}],"law_id":66147,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66147,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-100","catch_line":"Regulations of professions and occupations","history":"1979, c. 408, \u00a7 54-1.17; 1988, c. 765; 2016, c. 467.","full_text":"The right of every person to engage in any lawful profession, trade, or occupation of his choice is clearly protected by both the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth cannot abridge such rights except as a reasonable exercise of its police powers when (i) it is clearly found that such abridgment is necessary for the protection or preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public and (ii) any such abridgment is no greater than necessary to protect or preserve the public health, safety, and welfare.\n\t\tNo regulation shall be imposed upon any profession or occupation except for the exclusive purpose of protecting the public interest when:\n\n1\n\nThe unregulated practice of the profession or occupation can harm or endanger the health, safety or welfare of the public, and the potential for harm is recognizable and not remote or dependent upon tenuous argument;2\n\nThe practice of the profession or occupation has inherent qualities peculiar to it that distinguish it from ordinary work and labor;3\n\nThe practice of the profession or occupation requires specialized skill or training and the public needs, and will benefit by, assurances of initial and continuing professional and occupational ability; and4\n\nThe public is not effectively protected by other means.\n\t\t\tNo regulation of a profession or occupation shall conflict with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Virginia, the laws of the United States, or the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Periodically and at least annually, all agencies regulating a profession or occupation shall review such regulations to ensure that no conflict exists.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":240284,"text":"The right of every person to engage in any lawful profession, trade, or occupation of his choice is clearly protected by both the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth cannot abridge such rights except as a reasonable exercise of its police powers when (i) it is clearly found that such abridgment is necessary for the protection or preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public and (ii) any such abridgment is no greater than necessary to protect or preserve the public health, safety, and welfare.\n\t\tNo regulation shall be imposed upon any profession or occupation except for the exclusive purpose of protecting the public interest when:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":240285,"text":"The unregulated practice of the profession or occupation can harm or endanger the health, safety or welfare of the public, and the potential for harm is recognizable and not remote or dependent upon tenuous argument;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":240286,"text":"The practice of the profession or occupation has inherent qualities peculiar to it that distinguish it from ordinary work and labor;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":240287,"text":"The practice of the profession or occupation requires specialized skill or training and the public needs, and will benefit by, assurances of initial and continuing professional and occupational ability; and","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":240288,"text":"The public is not effectively protected by other means.\n\t\t\tNo regulation of a profession or occupation shall conflict with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Virginia, the laws of the United States, or the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Periodically and at least annually, all agencies regulating a profession or occupation shall review such regulations to ensure that no conflict exists.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12982,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12981,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":239317,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12982,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/I\/1","url":"\/54.1\/I\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12981,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions Relating to Regulatory Boards","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":239315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12981,"identifier":"I","token":"54.1\/I","url":"\/54.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66147,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-100","catch_line":"Regulations of professions and occupations","url":"\/54.1-100\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-100","metadata":false},{"id":76460,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-100.1","catch_line":"Department of Commerce continued as Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation","url":"\/54.1-100.1\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-100.1","metadata":false},{"id":65566,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-101","catch_line":"Copies of examinations filed by regulatory boards","url":"\/54.1-101\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-101","metadata":false},{"id":67393,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-101.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/54.1-101.1\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-101.1","metadata":false},{"id":76077,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-102","catch_line":"Unlawful procurement of certificate, license or permit; unauthorized possession of examination or answers; penalty","url":"\/54.1-102\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-102","metadata":false},{"id":64061,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-103","catch_line":"Additional training of regulated persons; reciprocity; endorsement","url":"\/54.1-103\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-103","metadata":false},{"id":80502,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-104","catch_line":"Suspension of license, certificate, registration, permit, or authority for dishonor of fee payment; reinstatement","url":"\/54.1-104\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-104","metadata":false},{"id":84071,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-104.1","catch_line":"License, certificate, registration, permit, or authority may not be suspended or revoked solely on the basis of default or delinquency in payment of federal-guaranteed or state-guaranteed education loan or scholarship","url":"\/54.1-104.1\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-104.1","metadata":false},{"id":76790,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-105","catch_line":"Majority of board or panel required to suspend or revoke license, certificate, registration, permit, or multistate licensure privilege; imposition of sanctions","url":"\/54.1-105\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-105","metadata":false},{"id":77303,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-106","catch_line":"Health care professionals rendering services to patients of certain clinics and administrators of such services exempt from liability","url":"\/54.1-106\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-106","metadata":false},{"id":72632,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-106.1","catch_line":"Notification to licensees of the Board of Medicine about immunity for health care services to patients of free clinics","url":"\/54.1-106.1\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-106.1","metadata":false},{"id":81026,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-107","catch_line":"Appointments, terms and removal of members of regulatory boards; citizen members","url":"\/54.1-107\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-107","metadata":false},{"id":75101,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-108","catch_line":"Disclosure of official records","url":"\/54.1-108\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-108","metadata":false},{"id":56621,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-109","catch_line":"Reviews and appeals","url":"\/54.1-109\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-109","metadata":false},{"id":86029,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-110","catch_line":"Presiding officer; participation of board in hearing; disqualification of board member","url":"\/54.1-110\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-110","metadata":false},{"id":70430,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-111","catch_line":"Unlawful acts; prosecution; proceedings in equity; civil penalty","url":"\/54.1-111\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-111","metadata":false},{"id":54066,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-112","catch_line":"Copies of records as evidence","url":"\/54.1-112\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-112","metadata":false},{"id":72059,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-113","catch_line":"Regulatory boards to adjust fees; certain transfer of moneys collected on behalf of health regulatory boards prohibited","url":"\/54.1-113\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-113","metadata":false},{"id":63057,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-114","catch_line":"Biennial report","url":"\/54.1-114\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-114","metadata":false},{"id":55459,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-115","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/54.1-115\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-115","metadata":false},{"id":77180,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-116","catch_line":"Applicants to include social security numbers, or other identifying number; exemption","url":"\/54.1-116\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-116","metadata":false},{"id":73444,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-117","catch_line":"Expiration of documents issued to persons in diplomatic service and the armed services of the United States","url":"\/54.1-117\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-117","metadata":false},{"id":68838,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-118","catch_line":"Qualifications for licensure, etc.; substantially equivalent military training and education","url":"\/54.1-118\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-118","metadata":false},{"id":86077,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-119","catch_line":"Expediting the issuance of licenses, etc., to spouses of military service members; issuance of temporary licenses, etc","url":"\/54.1-119\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-119","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":76460,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-100.1","catch_line":"Department of Commerce continued as Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation","url":"\/54.1-100.1\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-100.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-100\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 408 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 765; in 2016, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0467\">467<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":65863,"section_number":"54.1-201","catch_line":"Powers and duties of regulatory boards","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-201\/"},{"id":54676,"section_number":"54.1-2342","catch_line":"Penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2342\/"},{"id":65440,"section_number":"54.1-2400","catch_line":"General powers and duties of health regulatory boards","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2400\/"},{"id":65511,"section_number":"54.1-2806","catch_line":"Refusal, suspension, or revocation of license, registration, or courtesy card","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2806\/"},{"id":80430,"section_number":"54.1-2915","catch_line":"Unprofessional conduct; grounds for refusal or disciplinary action","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2915\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":239319,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66147,"identifier":"54.1-100","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-100","url":"\/54.1-100\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-100\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-100","dublin_core":{"Title":"Regulations of professions and occupations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-100","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The right of every person to engage in any lawful profession, trade, or occupation of his choice is clearly protected by both the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth cannot abridge such rights except as a reasonable exercise of its police powers when (i) it is clearly found that such abridgment is necessary for the protection or preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public and (ii) any such abridgment is no greater than necessary to protect or preserve the public health, safety, and welfare.\n\t\tNo regulation shall be imposed upon any profession or occupation except for the exclusive purpose of protecting the public interest when:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The unregulated practice of the profession or occupation can harm or endanger the health, safety or welfare of the public, and the potential for harm is recognizable and not remote or dependent upon tenuous argument; <a id=\"paragraph-240285\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-100\/#1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"2\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> The practice of the profession or occupation has inherent qualities peculiar to it that distinguish it from ordinary work and labor; <a id=\"paragraph-240286\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-100\/#2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"3\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> The practice of the profession or occupation requires specialized skill or training and the public needs, and will benefit by, assurances of initial and continuing professional and occupational ability; and <a id=\"paragraph-240287\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-100\/#3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"4\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> The public is not effectively protected by other means.\n\t\t\tNo regulation of a profession or occupation shall conflict with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Virginia, the <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> of the United States, or the <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Periodically and at least annually, all agencies regulating a profession or occupation shall review such regulations to ensure that no conflict exists. <a id=\"paragraph-240288\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-100\/#4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREGULATIONS OF PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (\u00a7 54.1-100)\n\nThe right of every person to engage in any lawful profession, trade, or\noccupation of his choice is clearly protected by both the Constitution of the\nUnited States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The\nCommonwealth cannot abridge such rights except as a reasonable exercise of its\npolice powers when (i) it is clearly found that such abridgment is necessary for\nthe protection or preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public\nand (ii) any such abridgment is no greater than necessary to protect or preserve\nthe public health, safety, and welfare.\n\t\tNo regulation shall be imposed upon any profession or occupation except for\nthe exclusive purpose of protecting the public interest when:\n\n1. The unregulated practice of the profession or occupation can harm or endanger\nthe health, safety or welfare of the public, and the potential for harm is\nrecognizable and not remote or dependent upon tenuous argument;\n\n2. The practice of the profession or occupation has inherent qualities peculiar\nto it that distinguish it from ordinary work and labor;\n\n3. The practice of the profession or occupation requires specialized skill or\ntraining and the public needs, and will benefit by, assurances of initial and\ncontinuing professional and occupational ability; and\n\n4. The public is not effectively protected by other means.\n\t\t\tNo regulation of a profession or occupation shall conflict with the\nConstitution of the United States, the Constitution of Virginia, the laws of the\nUnited States, or the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Periodically and at\nleast annually, all agencies regulating a profession or occupation shall review\nsuch regulations to ensure that no conflict exists.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 408, \u00a7 54-1.17; 1988, c. 765; 2016, c. 467.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}