TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
BOARD OF DENTISTRY
Agency Decision
Title of Regulation: 18VAC60-21. Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry.
Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: Alayna Smiley, MD, DMD.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Dentistry amend 18VAC60-21-350 and 1860-21-370 to exempt oral and maxillofacial surgeons who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures from (i) the requirement for American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery board eligibility or certification and (ii) the requirement to hold active hospital privileges.
Agency Decision: Request granted.
Statement of Reason for Decision: At its meeting on March 6, 2026, the board voted to accept the petition and initiate rulemaking.
Agency Contact: Jamie Sacksteder, Executive Director, Board of Dentistry, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4581, or email jamie.sacksteder@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR26-14; Filed December 9, 2025, 12:51 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNSELING
Initial Agency Notice
Title of Regulation: 18VAC115-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling.
Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: Arthur Branner.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Counseling permit hours worked under supervision as a qualified mental health professional to be credited toward the residency requirements for licensed professional counselor licensure.
Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: The petition for rulemaking will be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations on April 6, 2026. The petition will also be published on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment, which opens April 6, 2026, and closes May 6, 2026. The board will consider the petition and all comments in support or opposition at the next meeting after the close of public comment, currently scheduled for July 17, 2026.
Public Comment Deadline: May 6, 2026.
Agency Contact: Maria S. Stransky, Executive Director, Board of Counseling, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4610, or email maria.stransky@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR26-26; Filed March 16, 2026, 11:05 a.m.
BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
Agency Decision
Title of Regulation: 18VAC150-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine.
Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Name of Petitioner: Deanna Smith.
Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner requests that the Board of Veterinary Medicine amend 18VAC150-20 to include a requirement for veterinarians to check all animals for a microchip before starting treatment.
Agency Decision: Request denied.
Statement of Reason for Decision: At its meeting on March 4, 2026, the board voted to deny the petition based on the difficulty to implement such a requirement for practitioners, the overly burdensome impact on practitioners, and the potential delay in care to animals due to a requirement to scan for a chip and attempt to locate an owner in an emergency situation.
Agency Contact: Kelli Moss, Executive Director, Board of Veterinary Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 597-4133, fax (804) 767-1011, or email kelli.moss@dhp.virginia.gov.
VA.R. Doc. No. PFR26-12; Filed October 27, 2025, 1:59 p.m.