{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-401.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-401.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-401.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-401.html"}],"law_id":55543,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55543,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-401","catch_line":"Exemptions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 54-37; 1968, c. 77; 1980, c. 757; 1988, c. 765; 1992, cc. 595, 780, 783; 2009, c. 309; 2020, c. 822.","full_text":"The following shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:\n\n1\n\nPractice of professional engineering and land surveying by a licensed architect when such practice is incidental to what may be properly considered an architectural undertaking.2\n\nPractice of architecture and land surveying by a licensed professional engineer when such practice is incidental to an engineering project.3\n\nPractice as a professional engineer, architect or landscape architect in this Commonwealth by any person not a resident of and having no established place of business in this Commonwealth, or by any person resident in this Commonwealth whose arrival is recent, provided that such person is otherwise qualified for such professional service in another state or country and qualifies in Virginia and files prior to commencement of such practice an application, with the required fee, for licensure as a professional engineer, architect or landscape architect. The exemption shall continue until the Board has had sufficient time to consider the application and grant or deny licensure or certification.4\n\nEngaging in the practice of professional engineering as an employee under a licensed professional engineer, engaging in the practice of architecture as an employee under a licensed architect, engaging in the practice of landscape architecture as an employee under a licensed landscape architect, or engaging in the practice of land surveying as an employee under a licensed land surveyor; provided, that such practice shall not include responsible charge of design or supervision.5\n\nPractice of professional engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, or land surveying solely as an employee of the United States. However, the employee shall not be exempt from other provisions of this chapter if he furnishes advisory service for compensation to the public in connection with engineering, architectural, landscape architecture, or land surveying matters.6\n\nPractice of architecture or professional engineering by an individual, firm or corporation on property owned or leased by such individual, firm or corporation, unless the public health or safety is involved.7\n\nExcept as provided by regulations promulgated by the State Corporation Commission pursuant to § 56-257.2:1, the practice of engineering solely as an employee of a corporation engaged in interstate commerce, or as an employee of a public service corporation, by rendering such corporation engineering service in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulation by the State Corporation Commission, provided that corporation employees who furnish advisory service to the public in connection with engineering matters other than in connection with such employment shall not be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":203567,"text":"The following shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":203568,"text":"Practice of professional engineering and land surveying by a licensed architect when such practice is incidental to what may be properly considered an architectural undertaking.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":203569,"text":"Practice of architecture and land surveying by a licensed professional engineer when such practice is incidental to an engineering project.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":203570,"text":"Practice as a professional engineer, architect or landscape architect in this Commonwealth by any person not a resident of and having no established place of business in this Commonwealth, or by any person resident in this Commonwealth whose arrival is recent, provided that such person is otherwise qualified for such professional service in another state or country and qualifies in Virginia and files prior to commencement of such practice an application, with the required fee, for licensure as a professional engineer, architect or landscape architect. The exemption shall continue until the Board has had sufficient time to consider the application and grant or deny licensure or certification.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":203571,"text":"Engaging in the practice of professional engineering as an employee under a licensed professional engineer, engaging in the practice of architecture as an employee under a licensed architect, engaging in the practice of landscape architecture as an employee under a licensed landscape architect, or engaging in the practice of land surveying as an employee under a licensed land surveyor; provided, that such practice shall not include responsible charge of design or supervision.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":203572,"text":"Practice of professional engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, or land surveying solely as an employee of the United States. However, the employee shall not be exempt from other provisions of this chapter if he furnishes advisory service for compensation to the public in connection with engineering, architectural, landscape architecture, or land surveying matters.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":203573,"text":"Practice of architecture or professional engineering by an individual, firm or corporation on property owned or leased by such individual, firm or corporation, unless the public health or safety is involved.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":203574,"text":"Except as provided by regulations promulgated by the State Corporation Commission pursuant to § 56-257.2:1, the practice of engineering solely as an employee of a corporation engaged in interstate commerce, or as an employee of a public service corporation, by rendering such corporation engineering service in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulation by the State Corporation Commission, provided that corporation employees who furnish advisory service to the public in connection with engineering matters other than in connection with such employment shall not be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14278,"edition_id":1,"name":"Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Landscape Architects","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13996,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:35","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:35","permalink":{"id":240555,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14278,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1","url":"\/54.1\/II\/4\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13996,"edition_id":1,"name":"Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12755,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:33","permalink":{"id":240553,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13996,"identifier":"4","token":"54.1\/II\/4","url":"\/54.1\/II\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12755,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Boards Within the Department","identifier":"II","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":239415,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12755,"identifier":"II","token":"54.1\/II","url":"\/54.1\/II\/","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":76379,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-400\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-400","metadata":false},{"id":55543,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-401","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/54.1-401\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-401","metadata":false},{"id":55882,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-402","catch_line":"Further exemptions from license requirements for architects, professional engineers, and land surveyors","url":"\/54.1-402\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-402","metadata":false},{"id":76750,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-402.1","catch_line":"State and local government employees; license exemptions for persons employed prior to March 8, 1992","url":"\/54.1-402.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-402.1","metadata":false},{"id":63753,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-402.2","catch_line":"Cease and desist orders for unlicensed activity; civil penalty","url":"\/54.1-402.2\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-402.2","metadata":false},{"id":67074,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-403","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Board members and officers; quorum","url":"\/54.1-403\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-403","metadata":false},{"id":77321,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-404","catch_line":"Regulations; code of professional practice and conduct","url":"\/54.1-404\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-404","metadata":false},{"id":56833,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-404.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-404.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-404.1","metadata":false},{"id":59827,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-404.2","catch_line":"Continuing education","url":"\/54.1-404.2\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-404.2","metadata":false},{"id":69257,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-405","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Examinations and issuance of licenses and certificates","url":"\/54.1-405\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-405","metadata":false},{"id":57598,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-406","catch_line":"License required","url":"\/54.1-406\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-406","metadata":false},{"id":73143,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-406.1","catch_line":"Alternative to education requirement for licensure of architects","url":"\/54.1-406.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-406.1","metadata":false},{"id":79139,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-407","catch_line":"Land surveying","url":"\/54.1-407\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-407","metadata":false},{"id":62825,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-408","catch_line":"Practice of land surveying; subdivisions","url":"\/54.1-408\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-408","metadata":false},{"id":82740,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-409","catch_line":"Practice of landscape architecture; license required","url":"\/54.1-409\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-409","metadata":false},{"id":83060,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-410","catch_line":"Other building laws not affected; duties of public officials","url":"\/54.1-410\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-410","metadata":false},{"id":69869,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-410.1","catch_line":"Prerequisites for obtaining business license","url":"\/54.1-410.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-410.1","metadata":false},{"id":63798,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-411","catch_line":"Organization for practice; registration","url":"\/54.1-411\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-411","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":76379,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-400\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-400","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55882,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-402","catch_line":"Further exemptions from license requirements for architects, professional engineers, and land surveyors","url":"\/54.1-402\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-402","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-401\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1968, chapter 77; in 1980, chapter 757; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1992, chapters 595, 780, and 783; in 2009, chapter 309<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 822<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57598,"section_number":"54.1-406","catch_line":"License required","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-406\/"},{"id":83060,"section_number":"54.1-410","catch_line":"Other building laws not affected; duties of public officials","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-410\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":60030,"section_number":"56-257.2:1","catch_line":"Projects presenting material risk to public safety; licensed professional engineers; regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-257.2_1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":240561,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55543,"identifier":"54.1-401","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-401","url":"\/54.1-401\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-401\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-401","dublin_core":{"Title":"Exemptions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-401","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The following shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Practice of professional engineering and land surveying by a licensed architect<\/span> when such practice is incidental to what may be properly considered an architectural undertaking. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Practice of architecture<\/span> and land surveying by a licensed professional engineer<\/span> when such practice is incidental to an engineering project. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Practice as a professional engineer<\/span>, architect or landscape architect<\/span> in this Commonwealth by any person not a resident of and having no established place of business in this Commonwealth, or by any person resident in this Commonwealth whose arrival is recent, provided that such person is otherwise qualified for such professional service in another state or country and qualifies in Virginia and files prior to commencement of such practice an application, with the required fee, for licensure as a professional engineer<\/span>, architect or landscape architect<\/span>. The exemption shall continue until the Board<\/span> has had sufficient time to consider the application and grant or deny licensure or certification. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Engaging in the practice of professional engineering as an employee under a licensed professional engineer<\/span>, engaging in the practice of architecture<\/span> as an employee under a licensed architect, engaging in the practice of landscape architecture<\/span> as an employee under a licensed landscape architect<\/span>, or engaging in the practice of land surveying<\/span> as an employee under a licensed land surveyor<\/span>; provided, that such practice shall not include responsible charge<\/span> of design or supervision. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Practice of professional engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, or land surveying solely as an employee of the United States. However, the employee shall not be exempt from other provisions of this chapter if he furnishes advisory service for compensation to the public in connection with engineering, architectural, landscape architecture, or land surveying matters. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Practice of architecture<\/span> or professional engineering by an individual, firm or corporation on property owned or leased by such individual, firm or corporation, unless the public health or safety is involved. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Except as provided by regulations promulgated by the State Corporation Commission pursuant to § 56-257.2:1<\/a>, the practice of engineering<\/span> solely as an employee of a corporation engaged in interstate commerce, or as an employee of a public service corporation, by rendering such corporation engineering service in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulation by the State Corporation Commission, provided that corporation employees who furnish advisory service to the public in connection with engineering matters other than in connection with such employment shall not be exempt from the provisions of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXEMPTIONS (\u00a7 54.1-401)\n\nThe following shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:\n\n1. Practice of professional engineering and land surveying by a licensed\narchitect when such practice is incidental to what may be properly considered an\narchitectural undertaking.\n\n2. Practice of architecture and land surveying by a licensed professional\nengineer when such practice is incidental to an engineering project.\n\n3. Practice as a professional engineer, architect or landscape architect in this\nCommonwealth by any person not a resident of and having no established place of\nbusiness in this Commonwealth, or by any person resident in this Commonwealth\nwhose arrival is recent, provided that such person is otherwise qualified for\nsuch professional service in another state or country and qualifies in Virginia\nand files prior to commencement of such practice an application, with the\nrequired fee, for licensure as a professional engineer, architect or landscape\narchitect. The exemption shall continue until the Board has had sufficient time\nto consider the application and grant or deny licensure or certification.\n\n4. Engaging in the practice of professional engineering as an employee under a\nlicensed professional engineer, engaging in the practice of architecture as an\nemployee under a licensed architect, engaging in the practice of landscape\narchitecture as an employee under a licensed landscape architect, or engaging in\nthe practice of land surveying as an employee under a licensed land surveyor;\nprovided, that such practice shall not include responsible charge of design or\nsupervision.\n\n5. Practice of professional engineering, architecture, landscape architecture,\nor land surveying solely as an employee of the United States. However, the\nemployee shall not be exempt from other provisions of this chapter if he\nfurnishes advisory service for compensation to the public in connection with\nengineering, architectural, landscape architecture, or land surveying matters.\n\n6. Practice of architecture or professional engineering by an individual, firm\nor corporation on property owned or leased by such individual, firm or\ncorporation, unless the public health or safety is involved.\n\n7. Except as provided by regulations promulgated by the State Corporation\nCommission pursuant to § 56-257.2:1, the practice of engineering solely as\nan employee of a corporation engaged in interstate commerce, or as an employee\nof a public service corporation, by rendering such corporation engineering\nservice in connection with its facilities which are subject to regulation by the\nState Corporation Commission, provided that corporation employees who furnish\nadvisory service to the public in connection with engineering matters other than\nin connection with such employment shall not be exempt from the provisions of\nthis chapter.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 54-37; 1968, c. 77; 1980, c. 757; 1988, c. 765; 1992, cc.\n595, 780, 783; 2009, c. 309; 2020, c. 822.","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}}