{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-118.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-118.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-118.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-118.html"}],"law_id":68838,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68838,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-118","catch_line":"Qualifications for licensure, etc.; substantially equivalent military training and education","history":"2012, c. 524.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as provided in this section, the regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Health Professions, or any board named in this title shall accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, to the extent that such training, education, or experience is substantially equivalent to the requirements established by law and regulations of the respective board for the issuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth. To the extent that the service member’s military training, education, or experience, or portion thereof, is not deemed substantially equivalent, the respective board shall credit whatever portion of the military training, education, or experience that is substantially equivalent toward meeting the requirements for the issuance of the license, permit, certificate, or other document.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the Board of Medicine in the regulation of the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine. Nor shall this subsection apply to the Board of Dentistry in the regulation of dentists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons.B\n\nThe Board of Medicine may accept a service member’s military training, education, or experience as an intern or resident in an approved facility to satisfy the requirement of one year of satisfactory postgraduate training as an intern or resident in a hospital or health care facility, provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) is a graduate of a Board-approved institution, (iii) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure, and (iv) applies for licensure within six months of discharge from active military service.C\n\nThe Board of Dentistry may accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) has been in continuous clinical practice for four of the six years immediately preceding the application for licensure, (iii) holds a diploma or certificate of a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and (iv) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure. Active patient care in the Dental Corps of the United States armed forces, voluntary practice in a public health clinic, or practice in an intern or residency program may be accepted by the Board to satisfy requirements for licensure.D\n\nAny regulatory board may require the service member to provide such documentation of his training, education, or experience as deemed necessary by the board to determine substantial equivalency.E\n\nAs used in this section, “active military service” means federally funded military duty as (i) a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code or (ii) a member of the Virginia National Guard on active duty pursuant to either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":249185,"text":"Except as provided in this section, the regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Health Professions, or any board named in this title shall accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, to the extent that such training, education, or experience is substantially equivalent to the requirements established by law and regulations of the respective board for the issuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth. To the extent that the service member’s military training, education, or experience, or portion thereof, is not deemed substantially equivalent, the respective board shall credit whatever portion of the military training, education, or experience that is substantially equivalent toward meeting the requirements for the issuance of the license, permit, certificate, or other document.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the Board of Medicine in the regulation of the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine. Nor shall this subsection apply to the Board of Dentistry in the regulation of dentists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":249186,"text":"The Board of Medicine may accept a service member’s military training, education, or experience as an intern or resident in an approved facility to satisfy the requirement of one year of satisfactory postgraduate training as an intern or resident in a hospital or health care facility, provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) is a graduate of a Board-approved institution, (iii) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure, and (iv) applies for licensure within six months of discharge from active military service.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":249187,"text":"The Board of Dentistry may accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) has been in continuous clinical practice for four of the six years immediately preceding the application for licensure, (iii) holds a diploma or certificate of a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and (iv) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure. Active patient care in the Dental Corps of the United States armed forces, voluntary practice in a public health clinic, or practice in an intern or residency program may be accepted by the Board to satisfy requirements for licensure.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":249188,"text":"Any regulatory board may require the service member to provide such documentation of his training, education, or experience as deemed necessary by the board to determine substantial equivalency.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":249189,"text":"As used in this section, “active military service” means federally funded military duty as (i) a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code or (ii) a member of the Virginia National Guard on active duty pursuant to either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"id":86077,"structure_id":12982,"section_number":"54.1-119","catch_line":"Expediting the issuance of licenses, etc., to spouses of military service members; 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This law was first created in 2012. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 524<\/a> 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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73532,"section_number":"2.2-2001.2","catch_line":"Initiatives to reduce unemployment among veterans and military spouses; comprehensive transition program","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2001.2\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":239407,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68838,"identifier":"54.1-118","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-118","url":"\/54.1-118\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-118\/","token":"54.1\/I\/1\/54.1-118","dublin_core":{"Title":"Qualifications for licensure, etc.; substantially equivalent military training and education","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-118","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as provided in this section, the regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Health Professions, or any board named in this title shall accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member honorably discharged from active military service<\/span> in the armed forces of the United States, to the extent that such training, education, or experience is substantially equivalent to the requirements established by law<\/span> and regulations of the respective board for the issuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth. To the extent that the service member’s military training, education, or experience, or portion thereof, is not deemed substantially equivalent, the respective board shall credit whatever portion of the military training, education, or experience that is substantially equivalent toward meeting the requirements for the issuance of the license, permit, certificate, or other document.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the Board of Medicine in the regulation of the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine. Nor shall this subsection apply to the Board of Dentistry in the regulation of dentists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board of Medicine may accept a service member’s military training, education, or experience as an intern or resident in an approved facility to satisfy the requirement of one year of satisfactory postgraduate training as an intern or resident in a hospital or health care facility, provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service<\/span> in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) is a graduate of a Board-approved institution, (iii) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure, and (iv) applies for licensure within six months of discharge from active military service<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Board of Dentistry may accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service<\/span> in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) has been in continuous clinical practice for four of the six years immediately preceding the application for licensure, (iii) holds a diploma or certificate of a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and (iv) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure. Active patient care in the Dental Corps of the United States armed forces, voluntary practice in a public health clinic, or practice in an intern or residency program may be accepted by the Board to satisfy requirements for licensure. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any regulatory board may require the service member to provide such documentation of his training, education, or experience as deemed necessary by the board to determine substantial equivalency. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> As used in this section, “active military service<\/span>” means federally funded military duty as (i) a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code or (ii) a member of the Virginia National Guard on active duty pursuant to either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nQUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE, ETC.; SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT MILITARY TRAINING\nAND EDUCATION (\u00a7 54.1-118)\n\nA. Except as provided in this section, the regulatory boards within the\nDepartment of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Health\nProfessions, or any board named in this title shall accept the military\ntraining, education, or experience of a service member honorably discharged from\nactive military service in the armed forces of the United States, to the extent\nthat such training, education, or experience is substantially equivalent to the\nrequirements established by law and regulations of the respective board for the\nissuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled\nor denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or\noccupation in the Commonwealth. To the extent that the service member’s\nmilitary training, education, or experience, or portion thereof, is not deemed\nsubstantially equivalent, the respective board shall credit whatever portion of\nthe military training, education, or experience that is substantially equivalent\ntoward meeting the requirements for the issuance of the license, permit,\ncertificate, or other document.\n\t\t\tThe provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the Board of Medicine in\nthe regulation of the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine. Nor shall\nthis subsection apply to the Board of Dentistry in the regulation of dentists or\noral and maxillofacial surgeons.\n\nB. The Board of Medicine may accept a service member’s military training,\neducation, or experience as an intern or resident in an approved facility to\nsatisfy the requirement of one year of satisfactory postgraduate training as an\nintern or resident in a hospital or health care facility, provided the applicant\nfor licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service in\nthe armed forces of the United States, (ii) is a graduate of a Board-approved\ninstitution, (iii) has successfully completed all required examinations for\nlicensure, and (iv) applies for licensure within six months of discharge from\nactive military service.\n\nC. The Board of Dentistry may accept the military training, education, or\nexperience of a service member provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been\nhonorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the\nUnited States, (ii) has been in continuous clinical practice for four of the six\nyears immediately preceding the application for licensure, (iii) holds a diploma\nor certificate of a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental\nAccreditation of the American Dental Association, and (iv) has successfully\ncompleted all required examinations for licensure. Active patient care in the\nDental Corps of the United States armed forces, voluntary practice in a public\nhealth clinic, or practice in an intern or residency program may be accepted by\nthe Board to satisfy requirements for licensure.\n\nD. Any regulatory board may require the service member to provide such\ndocumentation of his training, education, or experience as deemed necessary by\nthe board to determine substantial equivalency.\n\nE. As used in this section, “active military service” means\nfederally funded military duty as (i) a member of the armed forces of the United\nStates on active duty pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code or (ii) a\nmember of the Virginia National Guard on active duty pursuant to either Title 10\nor Title 32 of the United States Code.\n\nHISTORY: 2012, c. 524.","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}}