Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission has submitted a report reviewing the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation's staffing and organization, processing of licenses, enforcement of occupational rules, and affordability of fees. The report found that most licensing requirements are appropriate, but eleven regulated occupations do not meet the criteria for regulation established in the Code of Virginia. The report indicates that licenses are issued in a timely manner, but the licensing IT system could be more user-friendly and more effective at automating processes. While license application fees were found to be in line with other states, the methodology to determine fees based on expected expenses of the agency was found inadequate. The report notes the lack of well-developed sanction guidelines for discipline and insufficient authority to handle unlicensed practice. The report notes the need for organizational change to address staff vacancies and an upgraded IT system.
October 11, 2018
