{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2522.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2522.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2522.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2522.1.html"}],"law_id":72705,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72705,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2522.1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2027) Requirements of practitioners","history":"2014, cc. 93, 178; 2015, c. 517; 2016, cc. 113, 406; 2017, cc. 249, 252; 2018, cc. 102, 106, 567; 2023, cc. 740, 773; 2024, c. 635; 2025, cc. 168, 487.","full_text":"A\n\nAny prescriber who is licensed in the Commonwealth to treat human patients and is authorized pursuant to §§ 54.1-3303 and 54.1-3408 to issue a prescription for a covered substance shall be registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program by the Department of Health Professions.B\n\nPrescribers registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program shall, at the time of initiating a new course of treatment to a human patient that includes the prescribing of benzodiazepine or an opiate anticipated at the onset of treatment to last more than 90 consecutive days, request information from the Director for the purpose of determining (i) what, if any, other covered substances are currently prescribed to the patient and (ii) whether and under what circumstances the patient has experienced an opioid overdose. In addition, any prescriber of controlled substances approved for use in opioid addiction therapy shall, prior to or as a part of execution of a treatment agreement with the patient, request information from the Director for the purpose of determining (a) what, if any, other covered substances the patient is currently being prescribed and (b) whether and under what circumstances the patient has experienced an opioid overdose. Nothing in this section shall prohibit prescribers from making additional periodic requests for information from the Director as may be required by routine prescribing practices.C\n\nThe Secretary of Health and Human Resources may identify and publish a list of benzodiazepines or opiates that have a low potential for abuse by human patients. Prescribers who prescribe such identified benzodiazepines or opiates shall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B. In addition, a prescriber shall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B if the course of treatment arises from pain management relating to dialysis, cancer treatments, or sickle cell anemia.D\n\nPrior to issuing a written certification for the use of cannabis oil in accordance with § 4.1-1601, a practitioner shall request information from the Director for the purpose of determining what, if any, other covered substances have been dispensed to the patient.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":261692,"text":"Any prescriber who is licensed in the Commonwealth to treat human patients and is authorized pursuant to §§ 54.1-3303 and 54.1-3408 to issue a prescription for a covered substance shall be registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program by the Department of Health Professions.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":261693,"text":"Prescribers registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program shall, at the time of initiating a new course of treatment to a human patient that includes the prescribing of benzodiazepine or an opiate anticipated at the onset of treatment to last more than 90 consecutive days, request information from the Director for the purpose of determining (i) what, if any, other covered substances are currently prescribed to the patient and (ii) whether and under what circumstances the patient has experienced an opioid overdose. In addition, any prescriber of controlled substances approved for use in opioid addiction therapy shall, prior to or as a part of execution of a treatment agreement with the patient, request information from the Director for the purpose of determining (a) what, if any, other covered substances the patient is currently being prescribed and (b) whether and under what circumstances the patient has experienced an opioid overdose. Nothing in this section shall prohibit prescribers from making additional periodic requests for information from the Director as may be required by routine prescribing practices.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":261694,"text":"The Secretary of Health and Human Resources may identify and publish a list of benzodiazepines or opiates that have a low potential for abuse by human patients. Prescribers who prescribe such identified benzodiazepines or opiates shall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B. In addition, a prescriber shall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B if the course of treatment arises from pain management relating to dialysis, cancer treatments, or sickle cell anemia.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":261695,"text":"Prior to issuing a written certification for the use of cannabis oil in accordance with § 4.1-1601, a practitioner shall request information from the Director for the purpose of determining what, if any, other covered substances have been dispensed to the patient.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13315,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prescription Monitoring Program","identifier":"25.2","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:37","permalink":{"id":241371,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13315,"identifier":"25.2","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2","url":"\/54.1\/III\/25.2\/","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":68394,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2519","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-2519\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2519","metadata":false},{"id":55075,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2520","catch_line":"Program establishment; Director's regulatory authority","url":"\/54.1-2520\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2520","metadata":false},{"id":64843,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2521","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Reporting requirements","url":"\/54.1-2521\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2521","metadata":false},{"id":69685,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2522","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Reporting exemptions","url":"\/54.1-2522\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2522","metadata":false},{"id":72705,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2522.1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2027) Requirements of practitioners","url":"\/54.1-2522.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2522.1","metadata":false},{"id":67799,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2522.2","catch_line":"Requirements for dispensers","url":"\/54.1-2522.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2522.2","metadata":false},{"id":56919,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2523","catch_line":"Confidentiality of data; disclosure of information; discretionary authority of Director","url":"\/54.1-2523\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2523","metadata":false},{"id":74465,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2523.1","catch_line":"Criteria for indicators of misuse; Director's authority to disclose information; intervention","url":"\/54.1-2523.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2523.1","metadata":false},{"id":56473,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2523.2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2027) Authority to access database","url":"\/54.1-2523.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2523.2","metadata":false},{"id":57186,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2524","catch_line":"Immunity from liability","url":"\/54.1-2524\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2524","metadata":false},{"id":57288,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2525","catch_line":"Unlawful disclosure of information; disciplinary action authorized; penalties","url":"\/54.1-2525\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2525","metadata":false},{"id":54302,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2526","catch_line":"Exemption of information systems from provisions related to the Virginia Information Technologies Agency","url":"\/54.1-2526\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2526","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69685,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2522","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Reporting exemptions","url":"\/54.1-2522\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2522","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":67799,"structure_id":13315,"section_number":"54.1-2522.2","catch_line":"Requirements for dispensers","url":"\/54.1-2522.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2522.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2522.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2014. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 93<\/a> and 178<\/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. It has been modified 7 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 2015, chapter 517<\/a>; in 2016, chapters 113<\/a> and 406<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 249<\/a> and 252<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 102<\/a>, 106<\/a>, and 567<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 740<\/a> and 773<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 635<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 168<\/a> and 487<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77566,"section_number":"32.1-276.6","catch_line":"Patient level data system continued; reporting requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-276.6\/"},{"id":79390,"section_number":"54.1-2708.4","catch_line":"Board to adopt regulations related to prescribing of opioids","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2708.4\/"},{"id":84522,"section_number":"54.1-2928.2","catch_line":"Board to adopt regulations related to prescribing of opioids and buprenorphine","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2928.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":63911,"section_number":"4.1-1601","catch_line":"Certification for use of cannabis for treatment","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-1601\/"},{"id":85347,"section_number":"54.1-3303","catch_line":"Prescriptions to be issued and drugs to be dispensed for medical or therapeutic purposes only","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3303\/"},{"id":77665,"section_number":"54.1-3408","catch_line":"Professional use by practitioners","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3408\/"}],"permalink":{"id":241389,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72705,"identifier":"54.1-2522.1","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2522.1","url":"\/54.1-2522.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2522.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/25.2\/54.1-2522.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"(Effective July 1, 2027) Requirements of practitioners","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2522.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any prescriber<\/span> who is licensed in the Commonwealth to treat human patients and is authorized pursuant to §§ 54.1-3303<\/a> and 54.1-3408<\/a> to issue<\/span> a prescription for a covered substance<\/span> shall be registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program by the Department<\/span> of Health Professions. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Prescribers<\/span> registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program shall, at the time of initiating a new course of treatment to a human patient that includes the prescribing of benzodiazepine or an opiate anticipated at the onset of treatment to last more than 90 consecutive days, request information from the Director<\/span> for the purpose of determining (i) what, if any, other covered substances<\/span> are currently prescribed to the patient and (ii) whether and under what circumstances the patient has experienced an opioid overdose. In addition, any prescriber<\/span> of controlled substances<\/span> approved for use in opioid addiction therapy shall, prior to or as a part of execution of a treatment agreement with the patient, request information from the Director<\/span> for the purpose of determining (a) what, if any, other covered substances<\/span> the patient is currently being prescribed and (b) whether and under what circumstances the patient has experienced an opioid overdose. Nothing in this section shall prohibit prescribers<\/span> from making additional periodic requests for information from the Director<\/span> as may be required by routine prescribing practices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Secretary of Health and Human Resources may identify and publish a list of benzodiazepines or opiates that have a low potential for abuse by human patients. Prescribers<\/span> who prescribe such identified benzodiazepines or opiates shall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B. In addition, a prescriber<\/span> shall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B if the course of treatment arises from pain management relating to dialysis, cancer treatments, or sickle cell anemia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Prior to issuing a written certification for the use of cannabis oil in accordance with § 4.1-1601<\/a>, a practitioner shall request information from the Director<\/span> for the purpose of determining what, if any, other covered substances<\/span> have been dispensed to the patient. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n(EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027) REQUIREMENTS OF PRACTITIONERS (\u00a7 54.1-2522.1)\n\nA. Any prescriber who is licensed in the Commonwealth to treat human patients\nand is authorized pursuant to §§ 54.1-3303 and 54.1-3408 to issue a\nprescription for a covered substance shall be registered with the Prescription\nMonitoring Program by the Department of Health Professions.\n\nB. Prescribers registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program shall, at the\ntime of initiating a new course of treatment to a human patient that includes\nthe prescribing of benzodiazepine or an opiate anticipated at the onset of\ntreatment to last more than 90 consecutive days, request information from the\nDirector for the purpose of determining (i) what, if any, other covered\nsubstances are currently prescribed to the patient and (ii) whether and under\nwhat circumstances the patient has experienced an opioid overdose. In addition,\nany prescriber of controlled substances approved for use in opioid addiction\ntherapy shall, prior to or as a part of execution of a treatment agreement with\nthe patient, request information from the Director for the purpose of\ndetermining (a) what, if any, other covered substances the patient is currently\nbeing prescribed and (b) whether and under what circumstances the patient has\nexperienced an opioid overdose. Nothing in this section shall prohibit\nprescribers from making additional periodic requests for information from the\nDirector as may be required by routine prescribing practices.\n\nC. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources may identify and publish a list\nof benzodiazepines or opiates that have a low potential for abuse by human\npatients. Prescribers who prescribe such identified benzodiazepines or opiates\nshall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B. In addition, a\nprescriber shall not be required to meet the provisions of subsection B if the\ncourse of treatment arises from pain management relating to dialysis, cancer\ntreatments, or sickle cell anemia.\n\nD. Prior to issuing a written certification for the use of cannabis oil in\naccordance with § 4.1-1601, a practitioner shall request information from\nthe Director for the purpose of determining what, if any, other covered\nsubstances have been dispensed to the patient.\n\nHISTORY: 2014, cc. 93, 178; 2015, c. 517; 2016, cc. 113, 406; 2017, cc. 249,\n252; 2018, cc. 102, 106, 567; 2023, cc. 740, 773; 2024, c. 635; 2025, cc. 168,\n487.","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}}