<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58189</law_id><section_number>54.1-3001</section_number><catch_line>Exemptions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>2.2-2001.4</reference><reference>54.1-3000</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="30">Nursing</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">Board of Nursing</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> This chapter shall not apply to the following: <a id="paragraph-213235" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The furnishing of nursing assistance in an emergency; <a id="paragraph-213236" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The practice of nursing, which is prescribed as part of a study program, by nursing students enrolled in nursing education programs approved by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or by graduates of approved nursing education programs for a period not to exceed ninety days following successful completion of the nursing education program pending the results of the licensing examination, provided proper application and fee for licensure have been submitted to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> and unless the graduate fails the licensing examination within the 90-day period; <a id="paragraph-213237" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The practice of any legally qualified nurse of another state who is employed by the United States government while in the discharge of his official duties; <a id="paragraph-213238" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The practice of nursing by a nurse who holds a current unrestricted license in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or territory, or who holds a current unrestricted license in Canada and whose training was obtained in a nursing school in Canada where English was the primary language, for a period of 30 days pending licensure in Virginia, if the nurse, upon employment, has furnished the employer satisfactory <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of current licensure and submits proper application and fees to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> for licensure before, or within 10 days after, employment. At the discretion of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, additional time may be allowed for nurses currently licensed in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or territory, or Canada who are in the process of attaining the qualification for licensure in this Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-213239" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> The practice of nursing by any <span class="dictionary">registered nurse</span> who holds a current unrestricted license in another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or territory, or a nurse who holds an equivalent credential in a foreign country, while enrolled in an advanced professional nursing program requiring clinical practice. This exemption extends only to clinical practice required by the curriculum; <a id="paragraph-213240" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The practice of nursing by any nurse who holds a current unrestricted license in another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or territory and is employed to provide care to any private individual while such private individual is traveling through or temporarily staying, as defined in the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>&#x2019;s regulations, in the Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-213241" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> General care of the sick by nursing assistants, companions or domestic servants that does not constitute the practice of nursing as defined in this chapter; <a id="paragraph-213242" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> The care of the sick when done solely in connection with the practice of religious beliefs by the adherents and which is not held out to the public to be licensed practical or professional nursing; <a id="paragraph-213243" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Any employee of a school <span class="dictionary">board</span>, authorized by a prescriber and trained in the administration of insulin and glucagon, when, upon the authorization of a prescriber and the written request of the parents as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions" href="/22.1-1/">22.1-1</a>, assisting with the administration of insulin or administrating glucagon to a student diagnosed as having diabetes and who requires insulin injections during the school day or for whom glucagon has been prescribed for the emergency treatment of hypoglycemia; <a id="paragraph-213244" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> The practice of nursing by any nurse who is a graduate of a foreign nursing school and has met the credential, language, and academic testing requirements of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools for a period not to exceed ninety days from the date of approval of an application submitted to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> when such nurse is working as a nonsupervisory staff nurse in a licensed nursing home or certified nursing facility. During such ninety-day period, such nurse shall take and pass the licensing examination to remain eligible to practice nursing in Virginia; no exemption granted under this subdivision shall be extended; <a id="paragraph-213245" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> The practice of nursing by any nurse rendering free health care to an underserved population in Virginia who (i) does not regularly practice nursing in Virginia, (ii) holds a current valid license or certification to practice nursing in another state, territory, district or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of the United States, (iii) volunteers to provide free health care to an underserved area of this Commonwealth under the auspices of a publicly supported all volunteer, nonprofit organization that sponsors the provision of health care to populations of underserved people, (iv) files a copy of the license or certification issued in such other <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> with the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, (v) notifies the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> at least five business days prior to the voluntary provision of services of the dates and location of such service, and (vi) acknowledges, in writing, that such licensure exemption shall only be valid, in compliance with the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>&#x2019;s regulations, during the limited period that such free health care is made available through the volunteer, nonprofit organization on the dates and at the location filed with the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may deny the right to practice in Virginia to any nurse whose license or certificate has been previously suspended or revoked, who has been convicted of a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or who is otherwise found to be in violation of applicable <span class="dictionary">laws</span> or regulations. However, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall allow a nurse who meets the above criteria to provide volunteer services without prior notice for a period of up to three days, provided the nonprofit organization verifies that the practitioner has a valid, unrestricted license in another state; <a id="paragraph-213246" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Any person performing state or federally funded health care tasks directed by the consumer, which are typically self-performed, for an individual who lives in a private residence and who, by reason of disability, is unable to perform such tasks but who is capable of directing the appropriate performance of such tasks; <a id="paragraph-213247" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A13" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> The practice of nursing by any nurse who holds a current unrestricted license from another state, the District of Columbia or a United States <span class="dictionary">possession</span> or territory, while such nurse is in the Commonwealth temporarily and is practicing nursing in a summer camp or in conjunction with clients who are participating in specified recreational or educational activities; <a id="paragraph-213248" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A14" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> The practice of <span class="dictionary">massage therapy</span> that is an integral part of a program of study by a student enrolled in a <span class="dictionary">massage therapy</span> educational program under the direction of a licensed <span class="dictionary">massage therapist</span>. Any student enrolled in a <span class="dictionary">massage therapy</span> educational program shall be identified as a &#x201C;Student <span class="dictionary">Massage Therapist</span>&#x201D; and shall deliver <span class="dictionary">massage therapy</span> under the supervision of an appropriate clinical instructor recognized by the educational program; <a id="paragraph-213249" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A15" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> The practice of <span class="dictionary">massage therapy</span> by a <span class="dictionary">massage therapist</span> licensed or certified in good standing in another state, the District of Columbia, or another country, while such <span class="dictionary">massage therapist</span> is volunteering at a sporting or recreational event or activity, is responding to a disaster or emergency declared by the appropriate authority, is travelling with an out-of-state athletic team or an athlete for the duration of the athletic tournament, game, or event in which the team or athlete is competing, or is engaged in educational seminars; <a id="paragraph-213250" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A16" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Any person providing services related to the domestic care of any family member or household member so long as that person does not offer, hold out, or claim to be a <span class="dictionary">massage therapist</span>; <a id="paragraph-213251" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A17" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Any health care professional licensed or certified under this title for which <span class="dictionary">massage therapy</span> is a component of his practice; or <a id="paragraph-213252" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A18" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> Any individual who provides stroking of the hands, feet, or ears or the use of touch, words, and directed movement, including healing touch, therapeutic touch, mind-body centering, orthobionomy, traeger therapy, reflexology, polarity therapy, reiki, qigong, muscle activation techniques, or practices with the primary purpose of affecting energy systems of the human body. <a id="paragraph-213253" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#A18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Notwithstanding any provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span> or regulation to the contrary, military medical personnel, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Military medical personnel; program" href="/2.2-2001.4/">2.2-2001.4</a>, while participating in a program established by the Department of Veterans Services pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Military medical personnel; program" href="/2.2-2001.4/">2.2-2001.4</a>, may practice under the supervision of a licensed physician or podiatrist or the chief medical officer of an organization participating in such program. The chief medical officer of an organization participating in a program established pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Military medical personnel; program" href="/2.2-2001.4/">2.2-2001.4</a> may, in consultation with the chief nursing officer of such organization, designate a <span class="dictionary">registered nurse</span> licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or practicing with a multistate licensure <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> to supervise military personnel participating in a program established pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Military medical personnel; program" href="/2.2-2001.4/">2.2-2001.4</a> in the practice of nursing. <a id="paragraph-213254" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3001/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 54-362; 1970, c. 116; 1982, c. 598, &#xA7; 54-367.36; 1988, c. 765; 1994, cc. 58, 103; 1996, c. 388; 1999, c. 570; 2001, cc. 244, 251; 2002, cc. 713, 740; 2008, c. 674; 2010, c. 245; 2012, cc. 117, 178; 2016, c. 324; 2018, cc. 69, 338.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
