Virginia law
Healthcare & Benefits Laws in Virginia.
Virginia healthcare is regulated by the Virginia Department of Health Professions (which oversees 13 health-regulatory boards including the Board of Medicine and Board of Nursing) and by the Virginia Department of Health. Hospitals and nursing facilities are subject to Virginia's Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need (COPN) program (Va. Code § 32.1-102.1 et seq.), one of the most comprehensive in the country. Virginia authorizes advance directives and physician orders for scope of treatment (POST) under Va. Code § 54.1-2981 et seq.
Last verified: 2026-04-20
State law
Key Virginia Statutes
Virginia's physician licensing and discipline framework — administered by the Board of Medicine under the Department of Health Professions.
Virginia's COPN program — requires state approval before certain healthcare facilities can be built, expanded, or offer specified services.
Virginia's advance-directive framework, authorizing written advance directives and durable do-not-resuscitate orders.
State law
Official Sources
Not Legal Advice
This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Virginia.
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