Bill Text: VA HB2251 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; international licensure and certification; regulations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-07 - Committee Referral Pending [HB2251 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2025-HB2251-Introduced.html
2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25103291D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2251
Offered January 8, 2025
Prefiled January 7, 2025
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-201.2, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; international licensure and certification; regulations.
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Patron—Maldonado
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Committee Referral Pending
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-201.2 as follows:
§ 54.1-201.2. International licensure and certification; regulations.
A. The regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation shall promulgate regulations allowing the issuance of a license or certification to any applicant who holds a comparable international license or certification issued by another country. Any regulations promulgated pursuant to this section shall apply only to the regulatory board that adopts them, and in no case shall override regulations issued by a separate regulatory board.
B. Any such applicant shall provide documentation to the regulatory board demonstrating (i) United States citizenship, (ii) lawful permanent residency in the United States, or (iii) a valid work visa and a submitted petition for lawful permanent resident status. The regulatory boards shall only issue a license or certification to an applicant upon receipt of satisfactory documentation of the applicant's requisite education, training, and proof of licensure, as defined by the respective board. Such board shall make use of a professional credential verification service to verify that an applicant holds the appropriate license or certification.
C. Any regulations promulgated pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq.).
