Bill

Bill > HB1254


VA HB1254

VA HB1254
Professional & Occupational Regulation, Department of; amendments for purposes of regulatory boards.


summary

Introduced
01/14/2026
In Committee
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
02/06/2026
Passed
04/08/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/08/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Makes several amendments for the purposes of regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to include (i) removing the exemption for a person engaged in the practice of engineering, architecture, or land surveying as a full-time, salaried employee of the Commonwealth on March 8, 1992, from certain licensure requirements provided the employee does not furnish advisory service for compensation to the public in connection with engineering, architecture, or land surveying; (ii) providing that any state agency or political subdivision that is unable to employ a qualified licensed engineer, architect, or land surveyor to fill a responsible charge position, after a reasonable and unsuccessful search, may fill the position with an unlicensed person upon the determination by the chief administrative officer of the agency or political subdivision that the person, by virtue of education, experience, and expertise, can perform the work required of the position; (iii) directing the Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians to promulgate regulations for the issuance of training permits and work permits; and (iv) repealing provisions of the Code allowing for the waiver of examinations for wax technicians and estheticians. The bill contains technical amendments.

AI Summary

This bill makes several changes to professional and occupational regulations within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. It removes an exemption that allowed certain full-time, salaried state employees working in engineering, architecture, or land surveying since March 8, 1992, to practice without a license, as long as they didn't offer paid advisory services to the public. The bill also allows state agencies or local governments to hire unlicensed individuals for engineering, architecture, or land surveying positions if they can demonstrate that, after a diligent search, they cannot find a qualified licensed professional, and the chief administrative officer determines the unlicensed person has the necessary education, experience, and expertise. Additionally, it directs the Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians to create regulations for issuing training and work permits, and it repeals provisions that allowed for waiving examinations for wax technicians and estheticians, meaning these individuals will now likely need to pass exams to be licensed. The bill also includes technical amendments to various sections of the code.

Committee Categories

Justice, Labor and Employment

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0460) (on 04/08/2026)

Bill Topics

Banking, Finance, and Domestic Commerce
  • ‐ Other Commerce
Health
  • ‐ Regulation of Health-Related Occupations and Services

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Document Type Source Location Created
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1254 01/14/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1254/text/CHAP0460 04/13/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1254/text/HB1254ER 02/25/2026
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1254) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1181310.PDF 02/25/2026
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1254) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128726.PDF 02/05/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1254/text/HB1254H1 02/03/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1254/text/HB1254HC2 01/30/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1254/text/HB1254HC1 01/30/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1254/text/HB1254 01/14/2026
Loading...