Virginia Law

Part XII. Standards of Practice and Conduct

18VAC10-20-690. Responsibility to the public.

The primary obligation of the regulant is to the public. The regulant must recognize that the health, safety, and welfare of the general public are dependent upon professional judgments, decisions, and practices. If the judgment of the regulant is overruled resulting in circumstances when the health, safety, or welfare of the public is endangered, the regulant must inform the employer, client, and appropriate authorities in writing of the possible consequences.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.1, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-700. Public statements.

A. The regulant must be truthful in all professional matters and must include all relevant information in professional reports, statements, or testimony, which must include the date indicating when such information was current.

B. When serving as an expert or technical witness, the regulant must express an opinion only when it is based on an adequate knowledge of the facts in the issue and a background of competence in the subject matter.

C. Except when appearing as an expert witness in court or in an administrative proceeding when the parties are represented by counsel, the regulant must issue no statements, reports, criticisms, or arguments on matters relating to professional practice that are inspired by or paid for by interested persons, unless the regulant has prefaced the comment by disclosing any self-interest and the identities of all persons on whose behalf the regulant is speaking.

D. A regulant must not knowingly make a materially false statement or deliberately withhold a material fact in any professional matter.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.2, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-710. Conflicts of interest.

A. The regulant must promptly and fully inform an employer or client of any business association, interest, or circumstance that may influence the regulant's judgment or the quality of service.

B. The regulant must not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one party for services on or pertaining to the same project unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to in writing by all interested parties.

C. The regulant must not solicit or accept financial or other valuable consideration from material or equipment suppliers for specifying the supplier's products or services unless such circumstances are fully disclosed to the regulant's client.

D. The regulant must not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their agents, or other parties dealing with a client or employer in connection with work for which the regulant is responsible unless such circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to in writing by all interested parties.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.3, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-720. Solicitation of work or employment.

A. In the course of soliciting work from or employment by a public authority, the regulant must not directly or indirectly:

1. Give, solicit, or receive any gratuity, contribution, or consideration to unlawfully influence the award of a contract;

2. Give, solicit, or receive any gratuity, contribution, or consideration that may reasonably be construed as an intention to influence the awarding of a contract; or

3. Offer or provide any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work.

B. The regulant must not pay, directly or indirectly, a commission, percentage, or brokerage fee to a potential or existing client in order to secure work.

C. The regulant must not falsify or knowingly allow misrepresentation of the regulant's or an associate's:

1. Academic or professional qualifications or work; or

2. Degree of responsibility for prior assignments.

D. Materials, content, and information used in the solicitation of work must not misrepresent facts concerning employers, employees, associates, joint ventures, or past accomplishments of any kind.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.4, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-730. Competency for assignments.

A. The professional must undertake to perform professional assignments only when qualified by education or experience and licensed or certified in the profession involved. A licensed professional may perform assignments related to interior design, provided the professional does not represent as certified in the profession unless the professional is certified by the board. The professional may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of the field of the professional's competence, but only to the extent that services are restricted to those phases of the project for which the professional is qualified. All other phases of such project must be the responsibility of licensed or certified associates, consultants, or employees.

B. A professional must not misrepresent to a prospective or existing client or employer the professional's qualifications and the scope of the professional's responsibility in connection with work for which the professional is claiming credit.

C. The professional must meet the minimum standards and requirements pertaining to the practice of the professional's own profession, as well as other professions if incidental work is performed.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.5, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. July 1, 2010; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-740. Professional responsibility.

A. Unless exempt by statute, all architectural, engineering, land surveying, landscape architectural, and interior design work must be completed by a professional or a person performing the work who is under the direct control and personal supervision of a professional.

B. A professional must be able to clearly define the professional's scope and degree of direct control and personal supervision, clearly define how it was exercised, and demonstrate that the professional was responsible within that capacity for the work that the professional has sealed, signed, and dated. For the work prepared under the professional's supervision, a professional must:

1. Have detailed professional knowledge of the work;

2. Exercise the degree of direct control over work that includes:

a. Having control over decisions on technical matters of policy and design;

b. Personally making professional decisions or the review and approval of proposed decisions prior to implementation, including the consideration of alternatives to be investigated and compared for designed work, whenever professional decisions are made that could affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public involving permanent or temporary work;

c. The selection or development of design standards and materials to be used; and

d. Determining the validity and applicability of recommendations prior to incorporation into the work, including the qualifications of those making the recommendations;

3. Have exercised professional judgment in professional matters that are embodied in the work and the drawings, specifications, or other documents involved in the work; and

4. Have exercised critical examination and evaluation of an employee's, consultant's, subcontractor's, or project team member's work product, during and after preparation, for purposes of compliance with applicable laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and usual and customary standards of care pertaining to professional practice.

C. The regulant must not knowingly associate in a business venture with or permit the use of the regulant's name by any person or firm when there is reason to believe that person or firm is engaging in activity of a fraudulent or dishonest nature or is violating statutes or any of these regulations.

D. A regulant who has knowledge that any person may have violated or may currently be violating any of these provisions, or the provisions of Chapters 7 (§ 13.1-542.1 et seq.) and 13 (§ 13.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 13.1 or Chapters 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.) through 4 (§ 54.1-400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, must inform the board in writing and must cooperate in furnishing any further information or assistance that may be required by the board or any of its agents.

E. Upon request by the board or any of the board's agents, the regulant must produce any plan, plat, document, sketch, book, record, or copy thereof concerning a transaction covered by this chapter and must cooperate in the investigation of a complaint filed with the board against a regulant.

F. Except as authorized by 18VAC10-20-760 A 2, a regulant must not utilize the design, drawings, specifications, or work of another regulant to complete or to replicate any work without the written consent of the person or organization that owns the design, drawings, specifications, or work.

G. Utilization and modification of work.

1. A regulant who utilizes the designs, drawings, specifications, or work of another regulant pursuant to subsection F of this section or 18VAC10-20-760 A 2, or who modifies any plats or surveys, must conduct a thorough review of the work to verify that it has been accomplished to the same extent that would have been done under the direct control and personal supervision of the regulant affixing the professional seal, signature, and date. The regulant must assume full responsibility for the utilization of any unsealed work or any changes or modifications to previously sealed work.

2. Information from recorded plats or surveys may be utilized without permission. However, the modification of the actual recorded plat or survey is prohibited without written permission of the regulant.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.6, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-750. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.7, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021.

18VAC10-20-760. Use of seal.

A. Affixing of a professional seal, signature, and date will indicate that the professional has exercised direct control and personal supervision over the work to which it is affixed. Affixing of the seal, signature, and date also indicates the professional's acceptance of responsibility for the work shown.

1. No professional may affix a seal, signature, and date or certification to plans, plats, documents, drawings, or other works constituting the practice of the professions regulated that has been prepared by an unlicensed or uncertified person unless such works were performed under the direct control and personal supervision of the professional while the unlicensed or uncertified person was an employee of the same firm as the professional or was under written contract to the same firm that employs the professional.

2. If the original professional of record is no longer able to seal, sign, and date completed professional work, such work may be sealed, signed, and dated by another qualified professional pursuant to the standards established in 18VAC10-20-740 G 1.

B. Documents to be sealed.

1. All final documents, including cover sheet of plans, plats, documents, drawings, technical reports, and specifications, and each sheet of plans or plats or drawings prepared by the professional or someone under the professional's direct control and personal supervision, must be sealed, signed, and dated by the professional. All final documents must also bear the professional's name or firm name, address, and project name.

2. For projects involving multiple professional services in the same project, each professional must seal, sign, and date the final documents for the work component that the professional completed or that was completed under the professional's direct control and personal supervision. The professional responsible for the compilation of the project must seal, sign, and date the cover sheet of the aggregate collection of final documents for the project.

C. An electronic seal, signature, and date are permitted to be used in lieu of an original seal, signature, and date when the following criteria, and all other requirements of this section, are met:

1. It is a unique identification of the professional;

2. It is verifiable; and

3. It is under the professional's direct control.

D. Incomplete plans, plats, documents, and drawings, whether advance or preliminary copies, must be so identified on the plans, plats, documents, or drawings and need not be sealed, signed, or dated. Advance or preliminary copies of incomplete plans, plats, documents, and drawings, must be clearly identified as not complete but need not be sealed, signed, or dated.

E. All work performed by a professional who is licensed or certified by this board, including work that is exempt from licensure pursuant to § 54.1-402 of the Code of Virginia, must be sealed, signed, and dated pursuant to subsection B of this section.

F. The original seal must conform in detail and size to the design illustrated in this subsection and must be two inches in diameter. The designs illustrated may not be shown to scale:

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.8, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2008; Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. July 1, 2010; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-770. Organization and styling of practice.

A. A firm must offer or practice only the professions shown on its board-issued registration. The regulant designated by the firm to be the responsible person must exercise direct control and personal supervision of the work being offered or practiced.

B. Nothing will be contained in the name, letterhead, or other styling of a professional practice implying a relationship, ability, or condition that does not exist. Professional services that the firm is not properly registered to provide must not be included in the name.

C. An assumed, fictitious, or corporate name must not be misleading as to the identity, responsibility, or status of those practicing professionals employed or contracted by the registrant. Any advertisement, sign, letterhead, business card, directory, or any other form of representation must avoid reference to any service that cannot be provided for under a responsible person.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.9, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-780. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.10, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. March 1, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. July 1, 2010; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-785. Notice of adverse action.

A. A regulant must notify the board of the following actions against the regulant:

1. Any disciplinary action taken by any jurisdiction, board, or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, including any (i) reprimand; (ii) license or certificate revocation, suspension, or denial; (iii) monetary penalty; (iv) requirement for remedial education; or (v) other corrective action.

2. Any voluntary surrender of a related license, certificate, or registration done in connection with a disciplinary action in another jurisdiction.

3. Any conviction, finding of guilt, or plea of guilty, regardless of adjudication or deferred adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States of any (i) misdemeanor involving fraudulent or dishonest acts, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, or physical injury or relating to providing professional services or (ii) felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having lapsed. Review of convictions will be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The notice must be made to the board in writing within 30 days of the action. A copy of the order or other supporting documentation must accompany the notice.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-790.  Prohibited acts.

A license, certificate, or registration will not be sanctioned unless a majority of the eligible voting members of the entire board vote for the action. The board may discipline or sanction any regulant if the board finds that:

1. The license, certification, or registration was obtained or renewed through fraud or misrepresentation;

2. The regulant has been found guilty by a court of any material misrepresentation in the course of professional practice or has been convicted, pleaded guilty, or found guilty, regardless of adjudication or deferred adjudication, of any felony or non-marijuana misdemeanor that, in the judgment of the board, adversely affects the regulant's ability to perform satisfactorily within the regulated discipline. The board will review the conviction pursuant to the provisions of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia;

3. The regulant has committed acts constituting professional incompetence or negligence, or involving dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, or breach of fiduciary duty related to the practice of the profession;

4. The regulant has abused drugs or alcohol to the extent that professional competence is adversely affected;

5. The regulant fails to comply, or misrepresents any information pertaining to compliance, with the requirements contained in this chapter;

6. The regulant violates or induces others to violate any provision of Chapter 7 (§ 13.1-542.1 et seq.) or 13 (§ 13.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 13.1, Chapters 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.) through 4 (§ 54.1-400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, or any other statute applicable to the practice of the professions regulated by this chapter;

7. The regulant has been disciplined by any county, city, town, state, or federal governing body. For purposes of this section, "discipline" means reprimand; civil or monetary penalty; probation, suspension, or revocation of a license; or cease and desist order. The board will review such discipline before taking any disciplinary action of its own; or

8. The regulant fails to notify the board within 30 days of having been disciplined by any county, city, town, state, or federal governing body as stipulated in subdivision 8 of this section.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR130-01-2 § 12.11, eff. October 18, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1988; Volume 6, Issue 20, eff. September 1, 1990; Volume 7, Issue 14, eff. May 8, 1991; Volume 8, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 1992; Volume 10, Issue 15, eff. May 19, 1994; Volume 13, Issue 23, eff. October 1, 1997; Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2009; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.

18VAC10-20-795. Change of address.

All regulants must notify the board of a change of mailing address on the designated address change form within 30 days of making the change. When submitting a change of address, regulants holding more than one license, certificate, or registration must inform the board of each affected by the change. A post office box will not be accepted in lieu of a physical address.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-404 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 16, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 1, eff. February 1, 2007; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. September 2, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 16, eff. May 1, 2026.