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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>80430</law_id><section_number>54.1-2915</section_number><catch_line>Unprofessional conduct; grounds for refusal or disciplinary action</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-2408.2</reference><reference>54.1-2953</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="29">Medicine and Other Healing Arts</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Board of Medicine</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may refuse to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a certificate or license to any applicant; reprimand any person; place any person on <span class="dictionary">probation</span> for such time as it may designate; impose a monetary <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> or terms as it may designate on any person; suspend any license for a stated period of time or indefinitely; or revoke any license for any of the following acts of unprofessional conduct: <a id="paragraph-288099" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> False statements or representations or <span class="dictionary">fraud</span> or deceit in obtaining admission to the practice, or <span class="dictionary">fraud</span> or deceit in the practice of any branch of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span>; <a id="paragraph-288100" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Substance abuse rendering him unfit for the performance of his professional obligations and duties; <a id="paragraph-288101" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Intentional or negligent conduct in the practice of any branch of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span> that causes or is likely to cause injury to a patient or patients; <a id="paragraph-288102" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Mental or physical incapacity or incompetence to practice his profession with safety to his patients and the public; <a id="paragraph-288103" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Restriction of a license to practice a branch of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span> in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or territory, or a foreign <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, or for an entity of the federal government; <a id="paragraph-288104" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Undertaking in any manner or by any means whatsoever to procure or perform or aid or abet in procuring or performing a criminal abortion; <a id="paragraph-288105" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Engaging in the practice of any of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span> under a false or assumed name, or impersonating another practitioner of a like, similar, or different name; <a id="paragraph-288106" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Prescribing or dispensing any controlled substance with <span class="dictionary">intent</span> or knowledge that it will be used otherwise than medicinally, or for accepted therapeutic purposes, or with <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to evade any <span class="dictionary">law</span> with respect to the sale, use, or <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> of such drug; <a id="paragraph-288107" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Violating provisions of this chapter on division of fees or practicing any branch of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span> in violation of the provisions of this chapter; <a id="paragraph-288108" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Knowingly and willfully committing an act that is a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> under the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth or the United States, or any act that is a <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span> under such <span class="dictionary">laws</span> and involves <span class="dictionary">moral turpitude</span>; <a id="paragraph-288109" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Aiding or abetting, having professional connection with, or lending his name to any person known to him to be practicing illegally any of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span>; <a id="paragraph-288110" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Conducting his practice in a manner contrary to the standards of ethics of his branch of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span>; <a id="paragraph-288111" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A13" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Conducting his practice in such a manner as to be a danger to the health and welfare of his patients or to the public; <a id="paragraph-288112" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A14" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Inability to practice with reasonable skill or safety because of illness or substance abuse; <a id="paragraph-288113" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A15" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Publishing in any manner an advertisement relating to his professional practice that contains a claim of superiority or violates <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations governing advertising; <a id="paragraph-288114" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A16" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Performing any act likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public; <a id="paragraph-288115" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A17" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Violating any provision of <span class="dictionary">statute</span> or regulation, state or federal, relating to the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or administration of drugs; <a id="paragraph-288116" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A18" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> Violating or cooperating with others in violating any of the provisions of Chapters 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Regulations of professions and occupations" href="/54.1-100/">54.1-100</a> et seq.), 24 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="General powers and duties of health regulatory boards" href="/54.1-2400/">54.1-2400</a> et seq.) and this chapter or regulations of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; <a id="paragraph-288117" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A19" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">19.</span> Engaging in sexual contact with a patient concurrent with and by virtue of the practitioner and patient relationship or otherwise engaging at any time during the course of the practitioner and patient relationship in conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable patient would consider lewd and offensive; <a id="paragraph-288118" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A19"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A20" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">20.</span> <span class="dictionary">Conviction</span> in any state, territory, or country of any <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or of any <span class="dictionary">crime</span> involving <span class="dictionary">moral turpitude</span>; <a id="paragraph-288119" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A20"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A21" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">21.</span> Adjudication of legal incompetence or incapacity in any state if such adjudication is in effect and the person has not been declared restored to competence or capacity; <a id="paragraph-288120" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A21"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A22" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">22.</span> Performing the services of a medical examiner as defined in 49 C.F.R. &#xA7; 390.5 if, at the time such services are performed, the person performing such services is not listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners as provided in 49 C.F.R. &#xA7; 390.109 or fails to meet the requirements for continuing to be listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners as provided in 49 C.F.R. &#xA7; 390.111; <a id="paragraph-288121" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A22"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A23" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">23.</span> Failing or refusing to complete and file electronically using the Electronic Death Registration System any medical certification in accordance with the requirements of subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Filing death certificates; medical certification; investigation by Office of the Chief Medical Examiner" href="/32.1-263/">32.1-263</a>. However, failure to complete and file a medical certification electronically using the Electronic Death Registration System in accordance with the requirements of subsection C of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Filing death certificates; medical certification; investigation by Office of the Chief Medical Examiner" href="/32.1-263/">32.1-263</a> shall not constitute unprofessional conduct if such failure was the result of a temporary technological or electrical failure or other temporary extenuating circumstance that prevented the electronic completion and filing of the medical certification using the Electronic Death Registration System; or <a id="paragraph-288122" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A23"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A24" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">24.</span> Engaging in a pattern of violations of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Balance billing for certain services; prohibited" href="/38.2-3445.01/">38.2-3445.01</a>. <a id="paragraph-288123" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#A24"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The commission or <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> of an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> in another state, territory, or country, which if committed in Virginia would be a <span class="dictionary">felony</span>, shall be treated as a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> or commission under this section regardless of its designation in the other state, territory, or country. <a id="paragraph-288124" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall refuse to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a certificate or license to any applicant if the candidate or applicant has had his certificate or license to practice a branch of the <span class="dictionary">healing arts</span> revoked or suspended, and has not had his certificate or license to so practice reinstated, in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or territory, or a foreign <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>. <a id="paragraph-288125" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2915/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 54-316, 54-317; 1954, c. 627; 1958, cc. 161, 461; 1966, cc. 166, 657; 1968, c. 582; 1970, c. 69; 1973, c. 529; 1975, c. 508; 1978, c. 622; 1979, c. 727; 1980, c. 157; 1985, c. 96; 1986, cc. 86, 434; 1988, c. 765; 1993, c. 991; 1997, c. 801; 2003, cc. 753, 762; 2004, c. 64; 2005, c. 163; 2013, c. 144; 2017, c. 171; 2019, cc. 213, 224; 2020, cc. 1080, 1081.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
