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Virginia Board of Medicine
Guidance Documents

The Code of Virginia requires annual publication of lists of guidance documents from state agencies. A guidance document is defined as "...any document developed by a state agency or staff that provides information or guidance of general applicability to the staff or public to interpret or implement statutes or the agency's rules or regulations..." Agencies are required to maintain a complete, current list of all guidance documents and make the full text of such documents available to the public.

Copies of the following documents may be viewed during regular workdays from 8:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the offices of the Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond Virginia 23233-1463 .  Copies may also be downloaded by clicking on the links below or from the Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.state.va.us or requested by email at medbd@dhp.virginia.gov. Questions regarding interpretation or implementation of these documents or requests for copies may be directed to William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director of the Board at the address above or by telephone at (804) 367-4600. Copies are free of charge.

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Guidance Documents:

85-1 Virginia Board of Medicine Bylaws, revised April 4, 2008

85-2 Assistant Attorney General opinion of October 25, 1986 on who can do a school physical examination (PDF)

85-3 Process for an applicant requesting an Informal Conference, adopted June 22, 2006

85-4 Listing of approved schools for physician assistant licensure and prescriptive authority, revised February 2008

85-5 Guidance on questions concerning medical records, revised June 22, 2006

85-6 Guidance on competency assessments for three paid claims, adopted February 22, 2007, revised October, 2007

85-7 Guidance on light-based hair removal in physician practices, adopted February 21, 2008

85-11 Sanctioning Reference Points Instruction Manual, adopted by Board, July 2004 (PDF)

85-13  Board motion, Guidelines on Performing Procedures on the Newly Deceased for Training Purposes, January 22, 2004

85-15  Board motion, Guidelines Concerning the Ethical Practice of Surgery and Invasive Procedures, January 22, 2004

85-16 Questions and Answers on Continuing Competency Requirements for the Virginia Board of Medicine, revised December 3, 2007

85-17 Rules for the placement and use of equipment necessary for recording or broadcasting a hearing, revised 12/2000.

85-18 Practitioners’ Help Section – Definitions and explanations for terminology used in Practitioner Profile System and Frequently Asked Questions, revised April 18, 2006

85-19 Practitioner Information System – Glossary of Terms, revised April 18, 2006

85-20 Official Opinion of the Attorney General December 1992: Employment of surgeon by a nonstock, nonprofit corporation (PDF)

85-21 Official Opinion of the Attorney General May 1995: Employment of physician by a for profit corporation (PDF)

85-23 Board policy on the use of confidential consent agreements, adopted 10/9/03.

85-24  Board motion, Adoption of Federation of State Medical Boards Model Policy for the Use of Controlled Substances for the Treatment of Pain, June 24, 2004

85-25  Process for delegation of informal fact-finding to an agency subordinate

85-26 Guidance Document on Compliance with Law for Licensed Midwives

85-27 Role of Licensed Midwives in Newborn Hearing Screening, Documentation, and Reporting

90-53 Treatment by Women's Health Nurse of Male Clients for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

90-56 Protocol requirements for licensed nurse practitioners, adopted by the Board of Medicine on October 18, 2007 and the Board of Nursing on November 14, 2007