{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-828.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-828.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-828.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-828.html"}],"law_id":72810,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72810,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-828","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1998, c. 895; 2005, c. 287; 2015, cc. 216, 264; 2016, c. 756; 2025, cc. 95, 111.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Amateur” means an individual who has never participated in a boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling event for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably inscribed memento.\n\t\t“Boxer” means a person competing in the sport of boxing.\n\t\t“Boxing” means the contact sport of attack or defense using fists.\n\t\t“Cable television system” means any facility consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and associated equipment designed to provide video programming to multiple subscribers when subscriber interaction is required to select a specific video program for an access fee established by the cable television system for that specific video program.\n\t\t“Contractor” means any person who has been recognized by the Director, through a contract pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-832, as an appropriate responsible party to provide services to assist the Commonwealth in complying with the provisions of this chapter.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or its successor.\n\t\t“Director” means the Director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.\n\t\t“Event” means any boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling show that includes one or more bouts, contests, or matches.\n\t\t“Exhibition bout” means a bout that is part of any martial arts or professional boxing event in which boxers or martial artists show or display skills without a declared winner.\n\t\t“Manager” means any person who serves as a representative or agent of a boxer, martial artist, or professional wrestler to arrange for his participation in an event.\n\t\t“Martial artist” means a person competing in the sport of martial arts.\n\t\t“Martial arts” or “mixed martial arts” means any of several Asian arts of combat or self-defense, alone or in combination, including aikido, karate, judo, muay thai, or tae kwon do, usually practiced as sport and which may involve the use of striking weapons.\n\t\t“Matchmaker” means any person who proposes, selects, arranges for, or in any manner procures specific individuals to be contestants in an event.\n\t\t“Person” means a natural person, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, or any other entity.\n\t\t“Professional” means a person who participates or has ever participated for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably inscribed memento in any boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling event.\n\t\t“Professional wrestler” means any professional participating in professional wrestling.\n\t\t“Professional wrestling” means an event in which contestants incorporate the sport of wrestling into choreographed performances.\n\t\t“Promote” or “promotion” means to organize, arrange, publicize, or conduct an event or exhibition bout in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Promoter” means any person who undertakes to promote an event or exhibition bout.\n\t\t“Regulant” means any person required by this chapter to obtain a prior authorization from the Department.\n\t\t“Sanctioning organization” means an entity approved by the Director pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-829.1.\n\t\t“Trainer,” “second,” or “cut man” means an individual who undertakes to assure the well-being of a boxer or martial artist by providing instruction or advice concerning techniques or strategies of boxing or martial arts, and who may work in the corner with a boxer or martial artist between the rounds of a match to assure his well-being and provide necessary equipment and advice concerning match participation.\n\t\t“Wrestler” means any person competing or participating as an opponent in wrestling.\n\t\t“Wrestling” means any of several styles of physical competition in which individuals attempt to subdue or unbalance an opponent, including Greco-Roman, freestyle, grappling, or submission, usually practiced as a sport.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":262320,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Amateur” means an individual who has never participated in a boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling event for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably inscribed memento.\n\t\t“Boxer” means a person competing in the sport of boxing.\n\t\t“Boxing” means the contact sport of attack or defense using fists.\n\t\t“Cable television system” means any facility consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and associated equipment designed to provide video programming to multiple subscribers when subscriber interaction is required to select a specific video program for an access fee established by the cable television system for that specific video program.\n\t\t“Contractor” means any person who has been recognized by the Director, through a contract pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-832, as an appropriate responsible party to provide services to assist the Commonwealth in complying with the provisions of this chapter.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or its successor.\n\t\t“Director” means the Director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.\n\t\t“Event” means any boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling show that includes one or more bouts, contests, or matches.\n\t\t“Exhibition bout” means a bout that is part of any martial arts or professional boxing event in which boxers or martial artists show or display skills without a declared winner.\n\t\t“Manager” means any person who serves as a representative or agent of a boxer, martial artist, or professional wrestler to arrange for his participation in an event.\n\t\t“Martial artist” means a person competing in the sport of martial arts.\n\t\t“Martial arts” or “mixed martial arts” means any of several Asian arts of combat or self-defense, alone or in combination, including aikido, karate, judo, muay thai, or tae kwon do, usually practiced as sport and which may involve the use of striking weapons.\n\t\t“Matchmaker” means any person who proposes, selects, arranges for, or in any manner procures specific individuals to be contestants in an event.\n\t\t“Person” means a natural person, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, or any other entity.\n\t\t“Professional” means a person who participates or has ever participated for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably inscribed memento in any boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling event.\n\t\t“Professional wrestler” means any professional participating in professional wrestling.\n\t\t“Professional wrestling” means an event in which contestants incorporate the sport of wrestling into choreographed performances.\n\t\t“Promote” or “promotion” means to organize, arrange, publicize, or conduct an event or exhibition bout in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Promoter” means any person who undertakes to promote an event or exhibition bout.\n\t\t“Regulant” means any person required by this chapter to obtain a prior authorization from the Department.\n\t\t“Sanctioning organization” means an entity approved by the Director pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-829.1.\n\t\t“Trainer,” “second,” or “cut man” means an individual who undertakes to assure the well-being of a boxer or martial artist by providing instruction or advice concerning techniques or strategies of boxing or martial arts, and who may work in the corner with a boxer or martial artist between the rounds of a match to assure his well-being and provide necessary equipment and advice concerning match participation.\n\t\t“Wrestler” means any person competing or participating as an opponent in wrestling.\n\t\t“Wrestling” means any of several styles of physical competition in which individuals attempt to subdue or unbalance an opponent, including Greco-Roman, freestyle, grappling, or submission, usually practiced as a sport.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15638,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boxing and Wrestling Events","identifier":"8.1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12755,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:57:13","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:57:13","permalink":{"id":240933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15638,"identifier":"8.1","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1","url":"\/54.1\/II\/8.1\/","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":72810,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-828","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-828\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-828","metadata":false},{"id":76867,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-829","catch_line":"Authorization from Director required; bond; physical examination; emergency medical services vehicles; physician; health insurance","url":"\/54.1-829\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-829","metadata":false},{"id":78533,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-829.1","catch_line":"Sanctioning organization; amateur martial arts events","url":"\/54.1-829.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-829.1","metadata":false},{"id":76841,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-830","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/54.1-830\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-830","metadata":false},{"id":82999,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-831","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Department","url":"\/54.1-831\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-831","metadata":false},{"id":61315,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-831.01","catch_line":"Boxing, Martial Arts, and Professional Wrestling Advisory Board","url":"\/54.1-831.01\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-831.01","metadata":false},{"id":59748,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-831.1","catch_line":"Summary suspension of boxing license","url":"\/54.1-831.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-831.1","metadata":false},{"id":77173,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-832","catch_line":"Director authorized to contract for certain services; award of contract; authority when no contract is in effect","url":"\/54.1-832\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-832","metadata":false},{"id":75873,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-833","catch_line":"Reports; cable television systems; fee on receipts","url":"\/54.1-833\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-833","metadata":false},{"id":77378,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-834","catch_line":"Prohibited activities; penalties","url":"\/54.1-834\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-834","metadata":false},{"id":75464,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-835","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-835\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-835","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":76867,"structure_id":15638,"section_number":"54.1-829","catch_line":"Authorization from Director required; bond; physical examination; emergency medical services vehicles; physician; health insurance","url":"\/54.1-829\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-829","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-828\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1998. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 895<\/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 4 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 2005, chapter 287<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 216<\/a> and 264<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 756<\/a>; in 2025, chapters 95<\/a> and 111<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":78533,"section_number":"54.1-829.1","catch_line":"Sanctioning organization; amateur martial arts events","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-829.1\/"},{"id":77173,"section_number":"54.1-832","catch_line":"Director authorized to contract for certain services; award of contract; authority when no contract is in effect","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-832\/"}],"permalink":{"id":240935,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72810,"identifier":"54.1-828","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-828","url":"\/54.1-828\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-828\/","token":"54.1\/II\/8.1\/54.1-828","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-828","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Amateur<\/span>” means an individual who has never participated in a boxing<\/span>, martial arts, or professional wrestling<\/span> event<\/span> for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably inscribed memento.\n\t\t“Boxer<\/span>” means a person<\/span> competing in the sport of boxing<\/span>.\n\t\t“Boxing<\/span>” means the contact sport of attack or defense using fists.\n\t\t“Cable television system<\/span>” means any facility consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and associated equipment designed to provide video programming to multiple subscribers when subscriber interaction is required to select a specific video program for an access fee established by the cable television system<\/span> for that specific video program.\n\t\t“Contractor<\/span>” means any person<\/span> who has been recognized by the Director<\/span>, through a contract<\/span> pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-832<\/a>, as an appropriate responsible party<\/span> to provide services to assist the Commonwealth in complying with the provisions of this chapter.\n\t\t“Department<\/span>” means the Department<\/span> of Professional and Occupational Regulation or its successor.\n\t\t“Director<\/span>” means the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Professional and Occupational Regulation.\n\t\t“Event<\/span>” means any boxing<\/span>, martial arts, or professional wrestling<\/span> show that includes one or more bouts, contests, or matches.\n\t\t“Exhibition bout<\/span>” means a bout that is part of any martial arts or professional boxing<\/span> event<\/span> in which boxers<\/span> or martial artists<\/span> show or display skills without a declared winner.\n\t\t“Manager<\/span>” means any person<\/span> who serves as a representative or agent of a boxer<\/span>, martial artist<\/span>, or professional wrestler<\/span> to arrange for his participation in an event<\/span>.\n\t\t“Martial artist<\/span>” means a person<\/span> competing in the sport of martial arts.\n\t\t“Martial arts” or “mixed martial arts<\/span>” means any of several Asian arts of combat or self-defense, alone or in combination, including aikido, karate, judo, muay thai, or tae kwon do, usually practiced as sport and which may involve the use of striking weapons.\n\t\t“Matchmaker<\/span>” means any person<\/span> who proposes, selects, arranges for, or in any manner procures specific individuals to be contestants in an event<\/span>.\n\t\t“Person<\/span>” means a natural person<\/span>, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, or any other entity.\n\t\t“Professional” means a person<\/span> who participates or has ever participated for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably inscribed memento in any boxing<\/span>, martial arts, or professional wrestling<\/span> event<\/span>.\n\t\t“Professional wrestler<\/span>” means any professional participating in professional wrestling<\/span>.\n\t\t“Professional wrestling<\/span>” means an event<\/span> in which contestants incorporate the sport of wrestling into choreographed performances.\n\t\t“Promote<\/span>” or “promotion<\/span>” means to organize, arrange, publicize, or conduct an event<\/span> or exhibition bout<\/span> in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Promoter<\/span>” means any person<\/span> who undertakes to promote<\/span> an event<\/span> or exhibition bout<\/span>.\n\t\t“Regulant<\/span>” means any person<\/span> required by this chapter to obtain a prior authorization from the Department<\/span>.\n\t\t“Sanctioning organization<\/span>” means an entity approved by the Director<\/span> pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-829.1<\/a>.\n\t\t“Trainer,” “second,” or “cut man<\/span>” means an individual who undertakes to assure the well-being of a boxer<\/span> or martial artist<\/span> by providing instruction or advice concerning techniques or strategies of boxing<\/span> or martial arts, and who may work in the corner with a boxer<\/span> or martial artist<\/span> between the rounds of a match to assure his well-being and provide necessary equipment and advice concerning match participation.\n\t\t“Wrestler” means any person<\/span> competing or participating as an opponent in wrestling.\n\t\t“Wrestling” means any of several styles of physical competition in which individuals attempt to subdue or unbalance an opponent, including Greco-Roman, freestyle, grappling, or submission, usually practiced as a sport.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 54.1-828)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Amateur” means an individual who has never participated in a\nboxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling event for money, compensation,\nor reward other than a suitably inscribed memento.\n\t\t“Boxer” means a person competing in the sport of boxing.\n\t\t“Boxing” means the contact sport of attack or defense using fists.\n\t\t“Cable television system” means any facility consisting of a set\nof closed transmission paths and associated equipment designed to provide video\nprogramming to multiple subscribers when subscriber interaction is required to\nselect a specific video program for an access fee established by the cable\ntelevision system for that specific video program.\n\t\t“Contractor” means any person who has been recognized by the\nDirector, through a contract pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-832, as an appropriate\nresponsible party to provide services to assist the Commonwealth in complying\nwith the provisions of this chapter.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Professional and Occupational\nRegulation or its successor.\n\t\t“Director” means the Director of the Department of Professional\nand Occupational Regulation.\n\t\t“Event” means any boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling\nshow that includes one or more bouts, contests, or matches.\n\t\t“Exhibition bout” means a bout that is part of any martial arts or\nprofessional boxing event in which boxers or martial artists show or display\nskills without a declared winner.\n\t\t“Manager” means any person who serves as a representative or agent\nof a boxer, martial artist, or professional wrestler to arrange for his\nparticipation in an event.\n\t\t“Martial artist” means a person competing in the sport of martial\narts.\n\t\t“Martial arts” or “mixed martial arts” means any of\nseveral Asian arts of combat or self-defense, alone or in combination, including\naikido, karate, judo, muay thai, or tae kwon do, usually practiced as sport and\nwhich may involve the use of striking weapons.\n\t\t“Matchmaker” means any person who proposes, selects, arranges for,\nor in any manner procures specific individuals to be contestants in an event.\n\t\t“Person” means a natural person, corporation, partnership, sole\nproprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, or any other entity.\n\t\t“Professional” means a person who participates or has ever\nparticipated for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably inscribed\nmemento in any boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling event.\n\t\t“Professional wrestler” means any professional participating in\nprofessional wrestling.\n\t\t“Professional wrestling” means an event in which contestants\nincorporate the sport of wrestling into choreographed performances.\n\t\t“Promote” or “promotion” means to organize, arrange,\npublicize, or conduct an event or exhibition bout in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Promoter” means any person who undertakes to promote an event or\nexhibition bout.\n\t\t“Regulant” means any person required by this chapter to obtain a\nprior authorization from the Department.\n\t\t“Sanctioning organization” means an entity approved by the\nDirector pursuant to \u00a7 54.1-829.1.\n\t\t“Trainer,” “second,” or “cut man” means an\nindividual who undertakes to assure the well-being of a boxer or martial artist\nby providing instruction or advice concerning techniques or strategies of boxing\nor martial arts, and who may work in the corner with a boxer or martial artist\nbetween the rounds of a match to assure his well-being and provide necessary\nequipment and advice concerning match participation.\n\t\t“Wrestler” means any person competing or participating as an\nopponent in wrestling.\n\t\t“Wrestling” means any of several styles of physical competition in\nwhich individuals attempt to subdue or unbalance an opponent, including\nGreco-Roman, freestyle, grappling, or submission, usually practiced as a sport.\n\nHISTORY: 1998, c. 895; 2005, c. 287; 2015, cc. 216, 264; 2016, c. 756; 2025, cc.\n95, 111.","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}}