{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2506.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2506.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2506.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2506.html"}],"law_id":83130,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83130,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2506","catch_line":"Enforcement of laws by Director and investigative personnel; authority of investigative personnel and Director","history":"1980, c. 678, \u00a7 54-960; 1986, c. 564; 1988, c. 765; 1993, c. 869; 2003, cc. 753, 762; 2008, c. 37; 2011, c. 50; 2018, c. 466; 2025, c. 341.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Director and investigative personnel appointed by him shall be sworn to enforce the statutes and regulations pertaining to the Department and the health regulatory boards and shall have the authority to investigate any violations of those statutes and regulations and to the extent otherwise authorized by law inspect any office or facility operated, owned or employing individuals regulated by any health regulatory board. The Director or his designee shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and to request and obtain patient records, business records, papers, and physical or other evidence in the course of any investigation or to issue subpoenas requiring the production of such evidence. A subpoena issued pursuant to this section may be served by (i) any person authorized to serve process under § 8.01-293, (ii) investigative personnel appointed by the Director, (iii) registered or certified mail or by equivalent commercial parcel delivery service, or (iv) email or facsimile if requested to do so by the recipient. Upon failure of any person to comply with a subpoena duly served, the Director may, pursuant to § 54.1-111, request that the Attorney General or the attorney for the Commonwealth for the jurisdiction in which the recipient of the subpoena resides, is found, or transacts business seek enforcement of the subpoena in such jurisdiction.B\n\nAll investigative personnel shall be vested with the authority to (i) administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints of violations of this subtitle, (ii) serve and execute any warrant, paper or process issued by any court or magistrate, the Director or in his absence a designated subordinate, or by any regulatory board under the authority of the Director, (iii) request and receive criminal history information under the provisions of § 19.2-389, and (iv) request and receive social security numbers from practitioners or federal employee identification numbers from facilities.C\n\nThe Director shall have the authority to issue summonses for violations of statutes and regulations governing the unlicensed practice of professions regulated by the Department. The Director may delegate such authority to investigators appointed by him. In the event a person issued such a summons fails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to give a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons, the investigator may appear before a magistrate or other issuing authority having jurisdiction to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":297892,"text":"The Director and investigative personnel appointed by him shall be sworn to enforce the statutes and regulations pertaining to the Department and the health regulatory boards and shall have the authority to investigate any violations of those statutes and regulations and to the extent otherwise authorized by law inspect any office or facility operated, owned or employing individuals regulated by any health regulatory board. The Director or his designee shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and to request and obtain patient records, business records, papers, and physical or other evidence in the course of any investigation or to issue subpoenas requiring the production of such evidence. A subpoena issued pursuant to this section may be served by (i) any person authorized to serve process under § 8.01-293, (ii) investigative personnel appointed by the Director, (iii) registered or certified mail or by equivalent commercial parcel delivery service, or (iv) email or facsimile if requested to do so by the recipient. Upon failure of any person to comply with a subpoena duly served, the Director may, pursuant to § 54.1-111, request that the Attorney General or the attorney for the Commonwealth for the jurisdiction in which the recipient of the subpoena resides, is found, or transacts business seek enforcement of the subpoena in such jurisdiction.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":297893,"text":"All investigative personnel shall be vested with the authority to (i) administer oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints of violations of this subtitle, (ii) serve and execute any warrant, paper or process issued by any court or magistrate, the Director or in his absence a designated subordinate, or by any regulatory board under the authority of the Director, (iii) request and receive criminal history information under the provisions of § 19.2-389, and (iv) request and receive social security numbers from practitioners or federal employee identification numbers from facilities.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":297894,"text":"The Director shall have the authority to issue summonses for violations of statutes and regulations governing the unlicensed practice of professions regulated by the Department. The Director may delegate such authority to investigators appointed by him. In the event a person issued such a summons fails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to give a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons, the investigator may appear before a magistrate or other issuing authority having jurisdiction to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13408,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Health Professions","identifier":"25","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:50","permalink":{"id":241307,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13408,"identifier":"25","token":"54.1\/III\/25","url":"\/54.1\/III\/25\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","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":75147,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-2500\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2500","metadata":false},{"id":77613,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2501","catch_line":"Department established","url":"\/54.1-2501\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2501","metadata":false},{"id":72341,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2502","catch_line":"Use of consultants in investigations","url":"\/54.1-2502\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2502","metadata":false},{"id":55191,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2503","catch_line":"Boards within Department","url":"\/54.1-2503\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2503","metadata":false},{"id":54377,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2504","catch_line":"Appointment of Director","url":"\/54.1-2504\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2504","metadata":false},{"id":62957,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2505","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director of Department","url":"\/54.1-2505\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2505","metadata":false},{"id":83130,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2506","catch_line":"Enforcement of laws by Director and investigative personnel; authority of investigative personnel and Director","url":"\/54.1-2506\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2506","metadata":false},{"id":86680,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2506.01","catch_line":"Investigation of reported violations","url":"\/54.1-2506.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2506.01","metadata":false},{"id":78543,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2506.1","catch_line":"Submission of required information","url":"\/54.1-2506.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2506.1","metadata":false},{"id":61725,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2506.2","catch_line":"Protection of escrow funds, etc., held by persons licensed by any of the health regulatory boards","url":"\/54.1-2506.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2506.2","metadata":false},{"id":82488,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2507","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2507\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2507","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62957,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2505","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director of Department","url":"\/54.1-2505\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2505","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":86680,"structure_id":13408,"section_number":"54.1-2506.01","catch_line":"Investigation of reported violations","url":"\/54.1-2506.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2506.01","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2506\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1980. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 678 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 1980 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1986, chapter 564; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1993, chapter 869; in 2003, chapters 753<\/a> and 762<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 37<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 50<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 466<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 341<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58930,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:03","catch_line":"Health records privacy","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-127.1_03\/"},{"id":65086,"section_number":"4.1-1606","catch_line":"Confidentiality of reports, information, and records; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-1606\/"},{"id":63038,"section_number":"54.1-2400.2","catch_line":"Confidentiality of information obtained during an investigation or disciplinary proceeding; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2400.2\/"},{"id":73693,"section_number":"54.1-3204","catch_line":"Prohibited acts","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3204\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81089,"section_number":"19.2-389","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Dissemination of criminal history record information","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-389\/"},{"id":56060,"section_number":"19.2-72","catch_line":"When it may issue; what to recite and require","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-72\/"},{"id":70430,"section_number":"54.1-111","catch_line":"Unlawful acts; prosecution; proceedings in equity; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-111\/"},{"id":72321,"section_number":"8.01-293","catch_line":"Authorization to serve process, capias or show cause order; execute writ of possession or eviction and levy upon property","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-293\/"}],"permalink":{"id":241333,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83130,"identifier":"54.1-2506","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2506","url":"\/54.1-2506\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2506\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25\/54.1-2506","dublin_core":{"Title":"Enforcement of laws by Director and investigative personnel; authority of investigative personnel and Director","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2506","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Director<\/span> and investigative personnel appointed by him shall be sworn to enforce the statutes<\/span> and regulations pertaining to the Department<\/span> and the health regulatory boards<\/span> and shall have the authority to investigate any violations of those statutes<\/span> and regulations and to the extent otherwise authorized by law<\/span> inspect any office or facility operated, owned or employing individuals regulated by any health regulatory board<\/span>. The Director<\/span> or his designee shall have the power to subpoena<\/span> witnesses and to request and obtain patient records, business records, papers, and physical or other evidence<\/span> in the course of any investigation or to issue<\/span> subpoenas<\/span> requiring the production of such evidence<\/span>. A subpoena<\/span> issued pursuant to this section may be served by (i) any person authorized to serve process under § 8.01-293<\/a>, (ii) investigative personnel appointed by the Director<\/span>, (iii) registered or certified mail or by equivalent commercial parcel delivery service, or (iv) email or facsimile if requested to do so by the recipient. Upon failure of any person to comply with a subpoena<\/span> duly served, the Director<\/span> may, pursuant to § 54.1-111<\/a>, request that the Attorney General<\/span> or the attorney for the Commonwealth for the jurisdiction<\/span> in which the recipient of the subpoena<\/span> resides, is found, or transacts business seek enforcement of the subpoena<\/span> in such jurisdiction<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> All investigative personnel shall be vested with the authority to (i) administer oaths<\/span> or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints of violations of this subtitle, (ii) serve and execute any warrant, paper or process issued by any court<\/span> or magistrate<\/span>, the Director<\/span> or in his absence a designated subordinate, or by any regulatory board under the authority of the Director<\/span>, (iii) request and receive criminal history information under the provisions of § 19.2-389<\/a>, and (iv) request and receive social security numbers from practitioners or federal employee identification numbers from facilities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Director<\/span> shall have the authority to issue<\/span> summonses for violations of statutes<\/span> and regulations governing the unlicensed practice of professions regulated by the Department<\/span>. The Director<\/span> may delegate such authority to investigators appointed by him. In the event a person issued such a summons<\/span> fails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to give a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons<\/span>, the investigator may appear before a magistrate<\/span> or other issuing authority having jurisdiction<\/span> to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nENFORCEMENT OF LAWS BY DIRECTOR AND INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL; AUTHORITY OF\nINVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL AND DIRECTOR (\u00a7 54.1-2506)\n\nA. The Director and investigative personnel appointed by him shall be sworn to\nenforce the statutes and regulations pertaining to the Department and the health\nregulatory boards and shall have the authority to investigate any violations of\nthose statutes and regulations and to the extent otherwise authorized by law\ninspect any office or facility operated, owned or employing individuals\nregulated by any health regulatory board. The Director or his designee shall\nhave the power to subpoena witnesses and to request and obtain patient records,\nbusiness records, papers, and physical or other evidence in the course of any\ninvestigation or to issue subpoenas requiring the production of such evidence. A\nsubpoena issued pursuant to this section may be served by (i) any person\nauthorized to serve process under § 8.01-293, (ii) investigative personnel\nappointed by the Director, (iii) registered or certified mail or by equivalent\ncommercial parcel delivery service, or (iv) email or facsimile if requested to\ndo so by the recipient. Upon failure of any person to comply with a subpoena\nduly served, the Director may, pursuant to § 54.1-111, request that the\nAttorney General or the attorney for the Commonwealth for the jurisdiction in\nwhich the recipient of the subpoena resides, is found, or transacts business\nseek enforcement of the subpoena in such jurisdiction.\n\nB. All investigative personnel shall be vested with the authority to (i)\nadminister oaths or affirmations for the purpose of receiving complaints of\nviolations of this subtitle, (ii) serve and execute any warrant, paper or\nprocess issued by any court or magistrate, the Director or in his absence a\ndesignated subordinate, or by any regulatory board under the authority of the\nDirector, (iii) request and receive criminal history information under the\nprovisions of § 19.2-389, and (iv) request and receive social security\nnumbers from practitioners or federal employee identification numbers from\nfacilities.\n\nC. The Director shall have the authority to issue summonses for violations of\nstatutes and regulations governing the unlicensed practice of professions\nregulated by the Department. The Director may delegate such authority to\ninvestigators appointed by him. In the event a person issued such a summons\nfails or refuses to discontinue the unlawful acts or refuses to give a written\npromise to appear at the time and place specified in the summons, the\ninvestigator may appear before a magistrate or other issuing authority having\njurisdiction to obtain a criminal warrant pursuant to § 19.2-72.\n\nHISTORY: 1980, c. 678, \u00a7 54-960; 1986, c. 564; 1988, c. 765; 1993, c. 869;\n2003, cc. 753, 762; 2008, c. 37; 2011, c. 50; 2018, c. 466; 2025, c. 341.","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}}