Dept. of Health Professions-Regulations Governing the Licensure of APRNs (18 VAC 90-30): Open comment Period 03/23/2026 - 04/13/2026
Posted 5 days ago by Sarah Taylor in Legislative Update
This announcement has 1 attachment:
VaCNS,
The Dept of Health Professions and the Board of Nursing are reviewing Regulations Governing the Licensure of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (18 VAC 90-30). This review is the result of Governor Youngkin's signing of Executive Order 19 in 2022. A summary below explains his intent to reduce and streamline regulatory requirements.
We have the opportunity for public comment on the review of any issue relating to this regulation, including whether the regulation
(i) is necessary for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare or for the economic performance of important governmental functions;
(ii) minimizes the economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable law; and
(iii) is clearly written and easily understandable.
Please see the links below for more information pertaining to the regulations under cyclic review and the open period of comment: 03/23/2026 - 04/13/2026.
When the comment period opens, please take the opportunity to voice your opinion
2/19/2026 - Notice of Periodic Review
List of past amendments and changes
Regulations for Prescriptive Authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (18 VAC 90-40)
Chapter 30. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
I have attached a file signed by Governor Younkin in June of 2022.
Summary of Executive Order 19 (2022)
Development and Review of State Agency Regulations
Executive Order 19, issued by Governor Glenn Youngkin and effective July 1, 2022, establishes a new framework for how Virginia’s executive branch agencies develop, review, and manage regulations. It replaces EO 14 (2018) and will remain effective until June 30, 2026.
Purpose and Rationale
The Order highlights concerns that:
- Virginia’s regulatory requirements have expanded significantly and increasingly affect everyday life.
- Many regulations take 2–3 years to implement.
- Several agencies are exempt from standard review processes.
- There is no consistent, comprehensive cost–benefit analysis for proposed regulations.
- The periodic review of existing regulations (required every 4 years) is not consistently performed.
To address these issues, the Executive Order seeks to streamline processes, increase transparency, and reduce regulatory burdens on citizens, businesses, and local governments.
Key Actions and Requirements
1. Creation of the Office of Regulatory Management (ORM)
A new office within the Governor’s Office will:
- Establish statewide regulatory review policies and procedures.
- Oversee implementation of a 25% reduction in regulatory requirements.
- Streamline agency regulatory and permitting approval processes.
- Require more robust regulatory packages, including benefit‑cost analyses and impact assessments.
- Ensure all regulatory stages are posted publicly on Virginia’s Regulatory Town Hall.
ORM must finalize its policies by July 30, 2022.
2. Applicability to State Agencies
- Applies to all executive branch agencies.
- Rulemakings that are exempt from the Administrative Process Act must still go through Executive Branch Review and be posted on the Regulatory Town Hall.
- All regulatory activities—petitions, meeting notices, guidance documents, and periodic review actions—must be publicly posted.
3. Annual Unified Regulatory Plan
Every executive branch agency must prepare a yearly plan (due July 1), listing all anticipated regulatory activities for the next fiscal year.
4. Effective Dates and Legal Considerations
- Effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2026.
- Does not limit the Governor’s existing authority to intervene in regulatory actions.
- Noncompliance by agencies does not invalidate regulations or create new legal causes of action.
- Executive Directive 1 (Jan 2022) is amended to require a 25% reduction in regulatory requirements (not just “regulations”).
Overall Goal
To create a more efficient, transparent, and accountable regulatory environment in Virginia while reducing unnecessary burdens on the public and improving regulatory outcomes.