The Boxing, Martial Arts, and Professional Wrestling Advisory Board offers guidance to the DPOR Director for regulation of promoters and events involving professional boxing, martial arts, and professional wrestling. The Advisory Board is composed of representatives of each discipline and two citizen members.

The Cemetery Board regulates for-profit cemeteries that offer perpetual care services or pre-need burial contracts, and that are required to maintain trust fund accounts. Cemeteries owned and operated by churches, the state, and all counties, cities, and towns are exempt from licensure and the board's jurisdiction. Additional exemptions are given to certain non-profit, association and family cemeteries.

The Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals (WWWOOSSP Board) licenses individuals who operate water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as onsite soil evaluators, onsite sewage system installers, and onsite sewage system operators. The 11-member board is composed of licensed practitioners, the director of the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Water Programs, the executive director of the State Water Control Board, and one citizen.

The Child Care Office licenses day care facilities; monitors their compliance with local child care ordinances, state standards, and regulations ( Arlington Child Care Center Regulation & Family Day Home Regulation); and provides education and training for providers of child care. The Child Care Office maintains directories of child day care centers and family day care providers. You can also order these directories by calling 703-228-1685.

This division is involved in consumer protection through administration of state laws regarding depository and non-depository financial institutions. The Bureau also investigates and responds to consumer complaints. In addition to written complaints, the staff responds to thousands of telephone inquiries. The Bureau also has an outreach program for the purpose of improving the financial literacy of Virginians.

Must submit a completed application for appointment as notary to the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth along with a fee. Notary applications are available online or at your local circuit court.

The Real Estate Board licenses salespersons, brokers, and firms representing others in property transactions. The Board also administers the Real Estate Transaction Recovery Act, which provides relief to eligible consumers who have incurred losses through the improper and dishonest conduct of a licensed real estate professional. Filing a claim does not guarantee payment.

The Virginia Division of Securities and Retail Franchising is responsible for the regulation of securities, broker-dealers, broker-dealer agents, investment advisers and their representatives. It is also responsible for the registration of franchises and trademarks in Virginia. The Division answers inquiries, provides investor education programs, handles complaints, performs audits, and conducts investigations regarding code violations relating to Securities and Retail Franchising.

Regulates and licenses nurses in the state of Virginia.

The Board of Optometry at the Virginia Department of Health Professions regulates the following professions and occupations: Optometrist-Non TPA, Professional Designation, Optometrist-TPA Certified. Automated License Verification: 804-270-6836

Provides an agency that supplies information on how to become a licensed family day home provider, licensed child day center or religious exempt program. COUNTIES SERVED: Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Craig, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Nelson, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward, Roanoke, and Rockbridge. CITIES SERVED: Bedford, Buena Vista, Clifton Forge, Covington, Danville, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Roanoke, Salem and South Boston.

The Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at the Virginia Department of Health Professions regulates the following professions and occupations: Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and School Speech-Language Pathologists. Automated License Verification: 804-270-6836

Performs soil evaluations for on-site sewage disposal systems and on-site evaluations for private drinking water wells. Provides periodic inspections of food establishments and temporary events. Performs Hotel/Motel and Bed & Breakfast inspections. Investigates food, on-site sewage, on-site well and food establishments complaints.

Regulates certified public accountants in Virginia through a program of examination, licensure for individuals and firms, consumer protection with enforcement, continuing professional education audits, and peer review oversight.

The Board of Veterinary Medicine at the Virginia Department of Health Professions regulates Veterinary Technicians, Veterinarians, and Veterinary Establishments. For Licensing: (804) 367-4497 All other questions: (804) 367-4468 Automated License Verification: 804-270-6836

The Regulation and Licensing Branch Issues licenses and regulates the taxi industry, peddlers, solicitors, precious metal and gem dealers, pawn brokers, massage establishments and therapists, and going-out-of-business sales. Staff in Regulation and Licensing Branch supports the Trespass Towing Advisory Board.

Provides an agency that supplies information on how to become a licensed family day home provider, licensed child day center or religious exempt program. COUNTIES SERVED:Amelia, Brunswick, Caroline, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King & Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Northumberland, Nottoway, Powhatan, Richmond, Westmoreland CITIES SERVED:Amelia, Brunswick, Caroline, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King & Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Northumberland, Nottoway, Powhatan, Richmond, Westmoreland

The Board of Health Professions conducts policy research for the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Automated License Verification: 804-270-6836

The Virginia Board of Pharmacy regulates the following professions and occupations: Pharmacy, Pharmacists, Pharmacist Interns, Permitted Physicians, Medical Equipment Suppliers, Restricted Manufacturers, Humane Societies, Physicians Selling Drugs, Non-Resident Pharmacies, Wholesale Distributors, CE Courses, and Pharmacy Technicians Automated License Verification: 804-270-6836

The Bureau licenses, regulates, investigates and examines insurance companies, agencies and agents on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Bureau of Insurance also registers, examines and investigates (title) real estate settlement agents and agencies. The Bureau assists consumers with questions and concerns regarding insurance companies, agents and agencies. It offers outreach programs on a variety of insurance-related topics.

The Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors regulates individuals engaged in asbestos remediation, lead-based paint remediation and renovation, and home inspection. The 14-member Board is composed of representatives of each regulated activity and two citizens.

The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the commission is the United States' primary authority for communications law, regulation and technological innovation. In its work facing economic opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly evolving advances in global communications, the agency capitalizes on its competencies in: Promoting competition, innovation and investment in broadband services and facilities Supporting the nation's economy by ensuring an appropriate competitive framework for the unfolding of the communications revolution Encouraging the highest and best use of spectrum domestically and internationally Revising media regulations so that new technologies flourish alongside diversity and localism Providing leadership in strengthening the defense of the nation's communications infrastructure

Environmental Health Specialists work to protect drinking water and groundwater resources by ensuring sanitary handling and disposal of sewage and protection of drinking water supplies. Issue sewage disposal system construction permits and inspect finished sewage disposal systems. Issue construction permits for drinking water wells to make sure they are located and constructed properly. Inspect and permit businesses which pump septic tanks and dispose of sewage. Investigate reports of sewage spills or other kinds of groundwater contamination.

Offers information on how to become a licensed assisted living, adult home, or adult day care provider. Also takes consumer complaints regarding these agencies. COUNTIES SERVED: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Madison, Orange, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren. CITIES SERVED: Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester. For further information, please call VDSS Valley Licensing Office: (276)206-0492 Training or Complaints: (800)543-7545

The Board for Contractors licenses businesses engaged in the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of facilities on property owned by others. The Board also regulates individual tradesmen who engage in the trades of electrical; plumbing; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); gas fitting; water well construction; elevator mechanics; backflow prevention; and building energy analysis. (Although the term "certified" is used, state certification of these trades is mandatory, not optional.) In addition, the Board licenses individuals and firms engaged in residential building energy analysis, which involves evaluation of energy consumption and recommendations to improve energy efficiency.