The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 3: Executive

Chapter 005: Secretary of State

• Subchapter 001: General Provisions

• § 101. Commission; office

  The Secretary of State shall be commissioned by the Governor and shall keep an office open for the transaction of business.

• § 102. Seal

  The Secretary shall have a seal of office, with the same device as the State Seal, and around the Seal the words: SECRETARY OF STATE. VERMONT. Full faith and credit shall be given to certified copies and attestations under his or her Seal.

• § 102a. Facsimile signature of Secretary of State

  A facsimile of the signature of the Secretary of State imprinted by or at his or her direction upon any certification issued under Title 11 or 11A, upon any attestation required of the Secretary by law or upon any certification of official documents or records of which the Secretary is custodian shall have the same validity as the Secretary of State’s written signature. (Added 1993, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. Feb. 16, 1994.)

• § 103. Documents required to be filed

  (a) All deeds, contracts of sale, leases, and other documents or copies of same conveying land or an interest therein to the State, except for transportation rights-of-way, leases, and conveyances, shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

  (b) All deeds, contracts of sale, leases, and other documents conveying land or an interest in land from the State as grantor, except for transportation rights-of-way, leases, and conveyances, shall be made out in duplicate by the authorized agent of the State. The original shall be delivered to the grantee and the duplicate copy, so marked, shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

  (c) The Secretary of State shall also record the State Treasurer’s bonds and other documents required to be recorded in the Secretary of State’s office and give copies of the same upon tender of the Secretary of State’s legal fees. (Amended 2009, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 31.)

• § 104. Preparation and publication of acts and resolutions

  After an act or resolution has been passed by both Houses of the General Assembly, signed by the presiding officers of both Houses and by the Governor, it shall be delivered to the custody of the Secretary of State. The Secretary shall cause the act or resolution to be reproduced in form suitable to be submitted to the printer designated in 29 V.S.A. § 1115. Before submission to the printer, the Secretary shall correct obvious typographical errors and assign a public law number to each act or resolution. The Secretary shall cause a suitable index and reference tables to be prepared. (Amended 1969, No. 90, § 2.)

• § 105. Repealed. 1967, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Feb. 21, 1968.

• § 106. Acts and resolutions of the General Assembly

  After the original acts and resolutions of the General Assembly are delivered to the Secretary pursuant to section 104 of this title, the Secretary shall cause a copy of the acts and resolutions to be prepared and printed and the original acts and resolutions to be preserved as State archival records pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 117. (Added 1969, No. 90, § 3; amended 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996; 2009, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 6, 2010; 2021, No. 53, § 1.)

• § 107. Legislative clerk

  The Secretary of State shall designate members of his or her staff as legislative clerks. The duties of legislative clerks shall be:

  (1) to prepare a copy of the acts and resolutions for printing;

  (2) to keep a register of lobbyists;

  (3) to prepare and distribute certified copies of resolutions as directed by the General Assembly;

  (4) to prepare index and tables of laws for the acts and resolves;

  (5) to prepare a legislative directory containing appropriate matter by December 1 of each odd numbered year; and

  (6) such other legislative duties as the Secretary shall assign. (Added 1969, No. 90, § 4; amended 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996; 2021, No. 53, § 2.)

• § 108. Compilations, indices, bulletins, and circulars

  The Secretary shall cause to be prepared and printed such compilations of the different chapters of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto or laws affecting the subject matter thereof, as may be necessary for the purpose of distribution, exchange, or for the use of the respective State officers, commissioners, departments, and citizens of the State. The Secretary may cause such compilations to be provided with the proper indices. He or she shall also cause bulletins or circulars to be prepared and printed relating to statistical and other matters of public nature on file or recorded in his or her office, and may employ necessary assistance for the preparation of such compilations, indices, bulletins, and circulars. The expense of such preparation and publication of such compilations, indices, bulletins, and circulars shall be paid by the State, and the Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue his or her warrants for such expenses when the accounts therefor have been duly approved by the Secretary. All accounts for printing shall also be approved by the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services before the Commissioner of Finance and Management issues such warrants. (Amended 1961, No. 30, eff. March 17, 1961; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b); 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996.)

• § 109. Laws and journals

  The Secretary shall procure one copy of the printed journal of each House of the General Assembly at each session thereof, one copy of the laws passed at such session, one copy of this and all subsequent revisions of the laws, immediately after the same are printed and published, and deposit the same in his or her office, which, with such laws and journals and revisions of the laws as are now in his or her office, shall be kept therein and shall not be taken therefrom unless by authority of law.

• § 110. Surveyor General’s papers

  All books, papers and records of the Surveyor General which are in the possession of the State or may come into its possession shall be in the custody of the Secretary of State, and copies thereof duly certified by such officer shall be evidence in court and have the same force as the original.

• § 111. Township charters

  (a) The Secretary shall procure from the proper sources authenticated copies of such original charters of townships in this State as were not granted by the General Assembly.

  (b) Copies of original charters of townships deposited in the Secretary of State’s office shall be valid records of such charters, and such record or copies thereof duly certified by the Secretary of State shall be competent evidence of such original charters in Court.

• § 112. Statements and communications to General Assembly

  The Secretary shall make such statements and communications to the General Assembly as may be required by it.

• § 113. Record by photostatic or photographic method

  The Secretary of State may record by photostatic or photographic method any instrument, paper, or document required by law to be recorded by him or her, and he or she may give photostatic or photographic copies of the same, required by law to be filed or recorded with him or her, upon tender of his or her legal fees. Such copies, duly certified by him or her, shall be competent evidence in court and have the same force as the originals thereof would have had, if produced in court. (Amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)

• §§ 114-114a. Repealed. 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 92.

• § 115. Repealed. 1975, No. 118, § 101.

• § 116. Repealed. 1981, No. 217 (Adj. Sess.), § 11.

• § 116a. State boards and commissions registry

  (a)(1) The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration shall maintain and make available on its website a registry of State boards and commissions and shall update that registry when changes are made that affect the information provided in the registry.

  (2)(A) The registry shall include the names of the members of each State board and commission, their term length and expiration, and their appointing authority.

  (B) Each State board and commission shall be responsible for providing to the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration this registry information and any updates to it in a manner prescribed by the State Archivist.

  (3) The registry shall track the dates of the initial creation of State boards and commissions created by State law and of any amendments to those laws for the purpose of the intended five-year expiration of those State boards and commissions described in subsection (b) of this section.

  (b)(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly that, except for State boards and commissions required by interstate compact and except as otherwise provided by law, a State board or commission created by State law shall cease to exist after five years from the date of its initial creation, five years from the last date that the statutory or session law containing the State board or commission was amended, or on January 1, 2025, whichever date is latest.

  (2)(A) In each biennial session beginning in the year 2025, the Office of Legislative Counsel, in consultation with the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration and based on the registry’s date tracking described in subdivision (a)(3) of this section, shall prepare for the General Assembly’s review a list of the State boards and commissions subject to expiration under this subsection.

  (B) A State board or commission shall only expire pursuant to legislative enactment.

  (c) As used in this section, “State board or commission” means a professional or occupational licensing board or commission, advisory board or commission, appeals board, promotional board, interstate board, supervisory board or council, or any other similar entity that:

  (1) is created by State law;

  (2) is established as or is attached to an Executive Branch entity;

  (3) has statewide jurisdiction or carries out a State function; and

  (4) is not composed of members appointed exclusively by regional, county, or municipal entities. (Added 2018, No. 2 (Sp. Sess.), § 12, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; amended 2019, No. 61, § 1; 2023, No. 53, § 3, eff. June 8, 2023.)

• § 117. Vermont State Archives and Records Administration

  (a) As used in this chapter:

  (1) “Records and information management” means the efficient and systematic control of the creation, receipt, maintenance, use, and disposition of public records, including the processes for capturing and maintaining evidence of, and information about, public agency business activities and transactions in the form of public records.

  (2) “Archives” or “archival records” means public records that have continuing legal, administrative, or informational value.

  (3) “Appraisal” means the identification, classification, and analysis of all public records, regardless of physical form or characteristics, to determine their value and ultimate disposition, based upon their legal, administrative, or informational value.

  (4) “Public record” or “public document” has the same meaning as set forth in 1 V.S.A. § 317.

  (5) “Public agency” has the same meaning as set forth in 1 V.S.A. § 317.

  (6) “Record schedule” means a policy issued by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration and approved by the State Archivist governing the life cycle management, retention, and disposition of public records.

  (b) There is created within the Office of the Secretary of State the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, which is charged with administering a Statewide Records and Information Management Program for all public agencies in accordance with generally accepted record-keeping principles and industry standards and best practices.

  (c) Services of the Statewide Records and Information Management Program shall include:

  (1) providing assistance to public agencies in establishing, maintaining, and implementing active and continuing internal records and information management programs for the effective management of records produced or acquired in the course of public agency business;

  (2) ensuring that low-cost, secure repositories and systems for public records, regardless of format, are available at an enterprise or statewide level and managed and operated in a manner that supports compliance with generally accepted record-keeping principles, industry standards, best practices, the Public Records Act, this section, and, where applicable, section 218 of this title;

  (3) developing, issuing, and maintaining statewide records and information management standards and information governance frameworks;

  (4) performing formal appraisals of public records and issuing record schedules accordingly;

  (5) operating a Records Center to hold inactive analog State public records in accordance with record schedules;

  (6) accepting land records submitted on microfilm by municipal and county clerks for storage in the Records Center;

  (7) taking legal custody of State archival records, regardless of format, in accordance with record schedules; and

  (8) arranging, describing, and preserving archival records in accordance with archival principles and best practices, and promoting their use by government officials and the public.

  (d) The State Archivist may appoint an advisory committee to provide assistance and support for the State Archives and Records Administration.

  (e) The Secretary may adopt rules consistent with this section.

  (f) There shall be the Director of the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration who shall have the title of “State Archivist,” who shall be qualified by education and professional experience to perform the duties of the position, and who shall simultaneously serve as Chief Records Officer. The State Archivist shall be a classified position within the Office of the Secretary of State.

  (g) In fulfilling the duties as Director of the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, the State Archivist shall:

  (1) issue policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures necessary to carry out the provisions of this section;

  (2) administer and maintain the Statewide Records and Information Management Program for the efficient and systematic control of public records;

  (3) approve record schedules governing the life cycle management, retention, and disposition of public records;

  (4) receive grants, gifts, aid, or assistance, of any kind, from any source, public or private, for the purpose of managing, preserving, or promoting public records; and

  (5) serve as chair of the Vermont Historical Records Advisory Board pursuant to 36 C.F.R. part 1206 for the purposes of improving public access to, and engagement with, Vermont historical records and encouraging and facilitating collaborative efforts among Vermont historical records repositories.

  (h) [Repealed.]

  (i) [Repealed.]

  (j) [Repealed.]

  (k) There is hereby created the Public Records Special Fund. The Fund shall be administered as a special fund pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5. The purpose of the Fund is to support improved management of public records by State agencies. The Fund shall consist of receipts from other government agencies for the provision of Records and Information Management Program services by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration in the Office of the Secretary of State. The Fund shall be available to the Office of the Secretary of State and shall be expended for the purposes of activities authorized by subsection 117(c) of this title. (Added 1973, No. 32, § 1 eff. March 28, 1973; amended 1989, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(c)(2), eff. May 6, 1996; 2003, No. 3, § 1; 2007, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2009, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 6, 2010; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 14, 2012; 2013, No. 1, § 77; 2017, No. 74, § 142; 2017, No. 100 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 14, § 2, eff. April 30, 2019.)

• § 118. Collection and disposition of revenue

  (a) There is hereby created a Secretary of State Services Fund. The Fund shall be used to provide appropriations for the operations of the Office of the Secretary of State, with the exception of those operations provided for in chapter 5, subchapter 3 of this title. The Fund shall be administered as a special fund pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5. At the end of each fiscal year, the unobligated balance in this Fund shall be transferred to the General Fund.

  (b) All revenues collected by the Secretary of State shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Services Fund except for the following revenues:

  (1) any revenues collected by the Office of Professional Regulation set forth in chapter 5, subchapter 3 of this title; and

  (2) any revenues collected pursuant to subsection 117(k) of this title. (Added 2013, No. 1, § 78.)

• Subchapter 003: Professional Regulation

• § 121. Definitions

  As used in this subchapter:

  (1) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

  (2) “Licensing board” or “board” refers to the boards, commissions, and professions listed in section 122 of this subchapter and, in the case of disciplinary matters or denials of licensure, either an administrative law officer appointed under subsection 129(j) of this subchapter or the Director in advisor professions. Notwithstanding statutory language to the contrary, this subchapter shall apply to all those boards.

  (3)(A) “License” includes any certification, registration, permit, commission, or other official authorization to undertake a regulated activity.

  (B) “Licensee” includes any person to whom a license has been issued by a board or the Director.

  (4) “Office” means the Office of Professional Regulation. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 1; 2001, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 30, § 1.)

• § 122. Office of Professional Regulation

  The Office of Professional Regulation is created within the Office of the Secretary of State. The Office shall have a director who shall be qualified by education and professional experience to perform the duties of the position. The Director of the Office of Professional Regulation shall be a classified position with the Office of the Secretary of State. The following boards or professions are attached to the Office of Professional Regulation:

  (1) Board of Architects

  (2) Barbers and Cosmetologists

  (3) Board of Chiropractic

  (4) Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners

  (5) Board of Dental Examiners

  (6) Funeral Service

  (7) Board of Professional Engineering

  (8) Board of Land Surveyors

  (9) [Repealed.]

  (10) Board of Nursing

  (11) Nursing Home Administrators

  (12) Opticians

  (13) Board of Optometry

  (14) Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons

  (15) Board of Pharmacy

  (16) Physical Therapists

  (17) Radiologic Technology

  (18) Private Investigative and Security Services

  (19) Board of Public Accountancy

  (20) Board of Veterinary Medicine

  (21) Motor Vehicle Racing

  (22) Boxing

  (23) Board of Psychological Examiners

  (24) Real Estate Commission

  (25) Clinical Social Workers

  (26) Acupuncturists

  (27) Tattooists and Body Piercers

  (28) Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers

  (29) Real Estate Appraisers

  (30) Auctioneers

  (31) Occupational Therapists

  (32) Dietitians

  (33) Respiratory Care Practitioners

  (34) Psychoanalysts

  (35) Foresters

  (36) [Repealed.]

  (37) Naturopathic Physicians

  (38) Athletic Trainers

  (39) Midwifery

  (40) Electrology

  (41) Speech-Language Pathologists

  (42) Landscape Architects

  (43) Property Inspectors

  (44) Applied Behavior Analysts

  (45) Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

  (46) Potable Water Supply and Wastewater System Designers

  (47) Pollution Abatement Facility Operators

  (48) Notaries Public

  (49) Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers, and Touch Professionals

  (50) Well Drillers

  (51) Residential Contractors (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 264 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 61; 1991, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1993, No. 102, § 2; 1993, No. 103, § 2; 1993, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 1995, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1995, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1997, No. 40, § 76; 1997, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1999; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 52; 2001, No. 132 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 49, eff. July 1, 2003; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 136 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2015, No. 38, § 45, eff. July 1, 2016; 2015, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2016; 2015, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; 2015, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 30, § 2; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. April 1, 2021; 2021, No. 69, § 1, eff. June 8, 2021; 2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 1, 2022.)

• § 123. Duties of Office

  (a) The Office shall provide administrative, secretarial, financial, investigatory, inspection, and legal services to the boards. The services provided by the Office shall include:

  (1) Sending, receiving, and processing applications for licenses.

  (2) Issuing, recording, renewing, and reinstating all licenses as ordered by the boards, an appellate officer, the Director, an administrative law officer, or a court.

  (3) Revoking or suspending licenses as ordered by the boards, the Director, an administrative law officer, or a court.

  (4) Keeping all files and records of the boards, including minutes of meetings.

  (5) Compiling and maintaining a current register of all licensees.

  (6) Compiling and maintaining statistical information for each board, including the number of applications received; the number of licenses, certificates, registrations, and permits issued, renewed, and reinstated; examination results; the number and disposition of inspections and complaints; and the number of board meetings.

  (7) Collecting and depositing all fees into the Professional Regulatory Fee Fund.

  (8) Arranging payment of all expenses incurred by the boards within the limits of the funds appropriated to them.

  (9) Standardizing, to the extent feasible and with the advice of the boards, all applications, licenses, and other related forms and procedures, and adopting uniform procedural rules governing the investigatory and disciplinary process for all boards set forth in section 122 of this chapter.

  (10) Notifying the public and board members of all meetings and examinations to be held by the boards and arranging for places for those meetings and examinations.

  (11) Assisting the boards in developing rules consistent with the principles set forth in 26 V.S.A. chapter 57. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Secretary of State shall serve as the adopting authority for those rules.

  (12) With the assistance of the boards, establishing a schedule of license renewal and termination dates so as to distribute the renewal work in the Office as effectively as possible.

  (A) Licenses may be issued and renewed according to that schedule for periods of up to two years.

  (B) A person whose initial license is issued within 90 days prior to the set renewal date shall not be required to renew the license until the end of the first full biennial licensing period following initial licensure.

  (13) To the extent that resources permit, providing other administrative services that are necessary or desirable for the efficient operation of the boards.

  (b) The Director shall consult with each board and prepare a consolidated budget for the Office. The consolidated budget shall also contain funds deemed to be required by the Director for the administration of this chapter. The Director shall submit the consolidated budget to the Secretary of State.

  (c) The Director may purchase examination materials and contract with examination providers to administer examinations.

  (d) The Director may adopt procedures for the effective administration of this section.

  (e) The Secretary of State shall contract with and appoint one or more attorneys licensed to practice in this State to serve as administrative law officers under subsection 129(j) of this title or appellate officers under section 130a of this title.

  (f) Classified State employees who are employed as investigators by the Secretary of State who have successfully met the standards of training for a Level III law enforcement officer under 20 V.S.A. chapter 151 shall have the same powers as sheriffs in criminal matters and the enforcement of the law and in serving criminal process, and shall have all the immunities and matters of defense now available or hereafter made available to sheriffs in a suit brought against them in consequence for acts done in the course of their employment.

  (g)(1) The Office shall establish uniform procedures applicable to all of the professions and boards set forth in section 122 of this chapter, providing for:

  (A) appropriate recognition of education, training, or service completed by a member of the U.S. Armed Forces toward the requirements of professional licensure; and

  (B) expedited issuance of a professional license to a person who is licensed in good standing in another regulatory jurisdiction; and

  (i) whose spouse is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and who has been subject to a military transfer to Vermont; and

  (ii) who left employment to accompany his or her spouse to Vermont.

  (2) The Director may evaluate specific military credentials to determine equivalency to credentials required for professions attached to the Office. The determinations shall be adopted through written policy that shall be posted on the Office’s website.

  (3) The Director may evaluate apprenticeship programs recognized or administered by the Vermont Department of Labor, Agency of Education, or U.S. Department of Labor to determine equivalency to credentials required for professions attached to the Office. The determinations shall be adopted through written policy that shall be posted on the Office’s website.

  (h) Notwithstanding any provision of Title 26 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated to the contrary, the Office, on behalf of the Director or a board, may use electronic mail to send notices and reminders that would otherwise be sent by mail, except certified mail, and may use online services to elicit information and sworn attestations that would otherwise be obtained on a paper form.

  (i)(1) The Director shall actively monitor the actions of boards attached to the Office and shall ensure that all board actions pursued or decided are lawful, consistent with State policy, reasonably calculated to protect the public, and not an undue restraint of trade.

  (2) If the Director finds an exercise of board authority or discretion does not meet those standards, the Director may, except in the case of disciplinary actions:

  (A) provide written notice to the board explaining the perceived inconsistency, which notice shall have the effect of staying that action and implementing any alternative prescribed by the Director;

  (B) schedule a public meeting with the board to resolve questions about the action and explore alternatives; and

  (C) within 60 days following that meeting, issue a written directive finding that:

  (i) the exercise of board authority or discretion is consistent with State policy, in which case the action shall be reinstated;

  (ii) the exercise of board authority or discretion is inconsistent with State policy in form, but may be modified to achieve consistency, in which case the board may issue a modified action consistent with the Director’s recommendation; or

  (iii) the exercise of board authority or discretion is inconsistent with State policy in purpose, in which case any alternative prescribed by the Director shall stand as the regulatory policy of the State.

  (j)(1) The Office may inquire into the criminal background histories of applicants for initial licensure and for license renewal of any Office-issued credential, including a license, certification, registration, or specialty designation for the following professions:

  (A) licensed nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 28;

  (B) private investigators, security guards, and other persons licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 59;

  (C) real estate appraisers and other persons or business entities licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 69;

  (D) osteopathic physicians licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 33;

  (E) physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 38;

  (F) licensed clinical mental health counselors licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 65;

  (G) audiologists licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 67;

  (H) licensed marriage and family therapists licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 76;

  (I) speech-language pathologists licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 87; and

  (J) individuals registered on the roster of psychotherapists who are nonlicensed and noncertified.

  (2) Prior to acting on an initial or renewal application, the Office may obtain with respect to the applicant a Vermont criminal history record, an out-of-state criminal history record, and a criminal history record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Federal Bureau of Investigation background checks shall be fingerprint-supported, and fingerprints so obtained may be retained on file and used to notify the Office of future triggering events. Each applicant shall consent to the release of criminal history records to the Office on forms developed by the Vermont Crime Information Center.

  (3) Applicants subject to background checks shall be notified that a check is required, if fingerprints will be retained on file, and that criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to licensure, and shall be provided such other information as may be required by federal law or regulation.

  (k) For any profession attached to it, the Office shall provide a pre-application determination of an individual’s criminal background. This determination shall not be binding on the Office in a future application if the individual violates probation or parole or is convicted of another crime following the determination.

  (1) The Office shall initiate this determination upon an individual’s “second chance” determination request. This request shall provide documentation related to the individual’s conviction or convictions, evidence of rehabilitation, and identification of the profession or professions for which the individual seeks licensure.

  (2) The individual shall submit this request online, accompanied by the fee for preapplication determinations set forth in section 125 of this subchapter. If the individual thereafter applies for licensure, this preapplication fee shall be deducted from that license application fee.

  (3) The Office shall:

  (A) process a request within 30 days of receiving a complete request;

  (B) assess the nature of the underlying conviction or convictions, the nexus to the profession or professions for which the individual seeks licensure, and the provided evidence of rehabilitation; and

  (C) respond to the individual’s request in writing.

  (l) When, by reason of disqualification, resignation, vacancy, or necessary absence, a board is unable to form a quorum or assign one or more members to assist in the investigation and prosecution of complaints or license applications, or to adjudicate a contested case, the Secretary of State may appoint ad hoc members, either as voting members to establish a quorum at a specific meeting or as nonvoting members to assist Office investigators and prosecutors. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 2; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 51; 2003, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 78g; 2005, No. 27, § 1; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2009, No. 33, § 4; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2013, No. 27, § 1; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2013, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. July 1, 2015; 2017, No. 48, § 1; 2017, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2020; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2019, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. April 1, 2021; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; 2021, No. 69, § 2; 2023, No. 34, § 2, eff. July 1, 2023; 2023, No. 35, § 2, eff. July 1, 2023; 2023, No. 36, § 4, eff. July 1, 2023.)

• § 124. Professional Regulatory Fee Fund

  (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, it is the policy of this State that:

  (1) the cost of regulating a profession attached to the Office of Professional Regulation should be borne by the profession; and

  (2) one profession should not subsidize the cost of regulating another profession.

  (b) Professions regulated by the Director in consultation with advisor appointees shall share the cost of regulating those professions.

  (c) A Professional Regulatory Fee Fund is created. All revenues received by the office shall be deposited into the Fund, credited to the appropriate board or to the professions regulated by the Director as a group, as appropriate, shall be used to offset up to two years of the costs incurred by that board or that group and shall not be used for any purpose other than professional regulation.

  (d) To ensure that revenues derived by the Office are adequate to offset the cost of regulation, the Secretary of State shall review fees from time to time, and present proposed fee changes to the General Assembly. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 62; 1997, No. 59, § 44, eff. June 30, 1997; 1999, No. 52, § 1; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)

• § 125. Fees

  (a) In addition to the fees otherwise authorized by law, a board or advisor profession may charge the following fees:

  (1) Verification of license, $20.00.

  (2) An examination fee established by the Secretary, which shall be not greater than the costs associated with examinations.

  (3) Reinstatement fees for expired licenses pursuant to section 127 (unauthorized practice) of this title.

  (4) Continuing, qualifying, or prelicensing education course approval:

  (A) Provider, $100.00.

  (B) Individual, $25.00.

  (5) A preapplication criminal background determination, $25.00.

  (b) Unless otherwise provided by law, the following fees shall apply to all professions regulated by the Director in consultation with advisor appointees under Title 26:

  (1) Application for registration, $100.00, except application for:

  (A) Private investigator and security services employees, unarmed registrants, $70.00.

  (B) Private investigator and security service employees, transitory permits, $70.00.

  (C) Private investigator and security service employees, armed registrants, $140.00.

  (2) Application for licensure or certification, $115.00, except application for:

  (A) Barbering or cosmetology schools and shops, $355.00.

  (B) Funeral directors, embalmers, disposition facility personnel, removal personnel, funeral establishments, disposition facilities, and limited services establishments, $85.00.

  (C) Application for real estate appraisers, $315.00.

  (D) Temporary real estate appraiser license, $175.00.

  (E) Appraisal management company registration, $685.00.

  (F) Private investigator or security services agency, $390.00.

  (G) Private investigator and security services agency, $460.00.

  (H) Private investigator or security services sole proprietor, $250.00.

  (I) Private investigator or security services unarmed licensee, $175.00.

  (J) Private investigator or security services armed licensee, $230.00.

  (K) Private investigator and security services instructor, $140.00.

  (L) Barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians, $120.00.

  (M) Massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional, $90.00.

  (N) Optician, $145.00.

  (O) Physical therapists and assistants, $120.00.

  (P) Independent clinical social workers and master’s social workers, $120.00.

  (3) Optician trainee registration, $75.00.

  (4) Biennial renewal, $275.00, except biennial renewal for:

  (A) Independent clinical social workers and master’s social workers, $180.00.

  (B) Occupational therapists and assistants, $180.00.

  [Subdivision (b)(4)(C) effective until July 1, 2024.]

  (C) Physical therapists and assistants, $180.00.

  [Subdivision (b)(4)(C) effective July 1, 2024.]

  (C) Physical therapists and assistants, $180.00, except that a licensee of a remote state under the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact established in 26 V.S.A. chapter 38, subchapter 5 shall pay a biennial $50.00 privilege to practice fee.

  (D) Optician trainees, $135.00.

  (E) Barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians, $155.00.

  (F) Schools of barbering or cosmetology, $355.00.

  (G) Funeral directors and embalmers, $415.00.

  (H) Disposition facility personnel and removal personnel, $150.00.

  (I) Funeral establishments, disposition facilities, and limited services establishments, $945.00.

  (J) [Repealed.]

  (K) Radiologic therapist, radiologic technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, $175.00.

  (L) Certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor, certified apprentice addiction professional, and licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor, $260.00.

  (M) Private investigator or security services agency, or both, $345.00.

  (N) Private investigator or security services unarmed licensee, $140.00.

  (O) Private investigator or security services armed licensee, $205.00.

  (P) Private investigator or security services unarmed registrant, $95.00.

  (Q) Private investigator or security services armed registrant, $150.00.

  (R) Private investigator or security services sole proprietor, $250.00.

  (S) Private investigator or security services instructor, $205.00.

  (T) Barbering or cosmetology shop, $285.00.

  [Subdivision (b)(4)(U) effective July 1, 2024.]

  (U) A licensee of a remote state under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact established in 26 V.S.A. chapter 87, subchapter 2 shall pay a biennial $50.00 privilege to practice fee.

  (5) Limited temporary license or work permit, $60.00.

  (6) Radiologic evaluation, $125.00.

  (7) Annual renewal for appraisal management company registration, $345.00.

  (8) Real estate appraiser trainee, $115.00.

  (c) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, a board shall not require payment of renewal fees for years during which a license was lapsed.

  (d) Pursuant to qualifications and procedures determined by the Director, the Office shall, upon request, waive application fees to qualified military members and military spouses. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 3; 1997, No. 59, § 45, eff. June 30, 1997; 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 1, 45; 2001, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. June 21, 2002; 2005, No. 27, § 2; 2005, No. 72, § 7; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2015, No. 38, § 1, eff. May 28, 2015; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 21, 2018; 2019, No. 70, § 13; 2019, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 1, 2021; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; 2021, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. June 1, 2023; 2023, No. 77, § 14, eff. June 20, 2023; 2023, No. 35, § 3, eff. July 1, 2024; 2023, No. 36, § 6, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 125. Fees [Effective July 1, 2024]

  (a) In addition to the fees otherwise authorized by law, a board or advisor profession may charge the following fees:

  (1) Verification of license, $20.00.

  (2) An examination fee established by the Secretary, which shall be not greater than the costs associated with examinations.

  (3) Reinstatement fees for expired licenses pursuant to section 127 (unauthorized practice) of this title.

  (4) Continuing, qualifying, or prelicensing education course approval:

  (A) Provider, $100.00.

  (B) Individual, $25.00.

  (5) A preapplication criminal background determination, $25.00.

  (b) Unless otherwise provided by law, the following fees shall apply to all professions regulated by the Director in consultation with advisor appointees under Title 26:

  (1) Application for registration, $100.00, except application for:

  (A) Private investigator and security services employees, unarmed registrants, $70.00.

  (B) Private investigator and security service employees, transitory permits, $70.00.

  (C) Private investigator and security service employees, armed registrants, $140.00.

  (2) Application for licensure or certification, $115.00, except application for:

  (A) Barbering or cosmetology schools and shops, $355.00.

  (B) Funeral directors, embalmers, disposition facility personnel, removal personnel, funeral establishments, disposition facilities, and limited services establishments, $85.00.

  (C) Application for real estate appraisers, $315.00.

  (D) Temporary real estate appraiser license, $175.00.

  (E) Appraisal management company registration, $685.00.

  (F) Private investigator or security services agency, $390.00.

  (G) Private investigator and security services agency, $460.00.

  (H) Private investigator or security services sole proprietor, $250.00.

  (I) Private investigator or security services unarmed licensee, $175.00.

  (J) Private investigator or security services armed licensee, $230.00.

  (K) Private investigator and security services instructor, $140.00.

  (L) Barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians, $120.00.

  (M) Massage therapist, bodyworker, or touch professional, $90.00.

  (N) Optician, $145.00.

  (O) Physical therapists and assistants, $120.00.

  (P) Independent clinical social workers and master’s social workers, $120.00.

  (3) Optician trainee registration, $75.00.

  (4) Biennial renewal, $275.00, except biennial renewal for:

  (A) Independent clinical social workers and master’s social workers, $180.00.

  (B) Occupational therapists and assistants, $180.00.

  (C) Physical therapists and assistants, $180.00, except that a licensee of a remote state under the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact established in 26 V.S.A. chapter 38, subchapter 5 shall pay a biennial $50.00 privilege to practice fee.

  (D) Optician trainees, $135.00.

  (E) Barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians, $155.00.

  (F) Schools of barbering or cosmetology, $355.00.

  (G) Funeral directors and embalmers, $415.00.

  (H) Disposition facility personnel and removal personnel, $150.00.

  (I) Funeral establishments, disposition facilities, and limited services establishments, $945.00.

  (J) [Repealed.]

  (K) Radiologic therapist, radiologic technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, $175.00.

  (L) Certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor, certified apprentice addiction professional, and licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor, $260.00.

  (M) Private investigator or security services agency, or both, $345.00.

  (N) Private investigator or security services unarmed licensee, $140.00.

  (O) Private investigator or security services armed licensee, $205.00.

  (P) Private investigator or security services unarmed registrant, $95.00.

  (Q) Private investigator or security services armed registrant, $150.00.

  (R) Private investigator or security services sole proprietor, $250.00.

  (S) Private investigator or security services instructor, $205.00.

  (T) Barbering or cosmetology shop, $285.00.

  (U) A licensee of a remote state under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact established in 26 V.S.A. chapter 87, subchapter 2 shall pay a biennial $50.00 privilege to practice fee.

  (5) Limited temporary license or work permit, $60.00.

  (6) Radiologic evaluation, $125.00.

  (7) Annual renewal for appraisal management company registration, $345.00.

  (8) Real estate appraiser trainee, $115.00.

  (c) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, a board shall not require payment of renewal fees for years during which a license was lapsed.

  (d) Pursuant to qualifications and procedures determined by the Director, the Office shall, upon request, waive application fees to qualified military members and military spouses. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 3; 1997, No. 59, § 45, eff. June 30, 1997; 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 1, 45; 2001, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. June 21, 2002; 2005, No. 27, § 2; 2005, No. 72, § 7; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2015, No. 38, § 1, eff. May 28, 2015; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 21, 2018; 2019, No. 70, § 13; 2019, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 1, 2021; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; 2021, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. June 1, 2023; 2023, No. 77, § 14, eff. June 20, 2023; 2023, No. 35, § 3, eff. July 1, 2024; 2023, No. 36, § 6, eff. July 1, 2024.)

• § 126. Agent for process; nonresident licensees

  Whenever a person practicing a profession attached to the Office resides outside the borders of the State and fails to appoint an agent for process, the Secretary of State shall be an agent of that person, upon whom any process, notice, or demand may be served. In the event any process, notice, or demand is served on the Secretary of State, the Secretary shall immediately cause one of the copies thereof to be forwarded by certified mail, addressed to the person at its registered Office. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)

• § 127. Unauthorized practice

  (a) When the Office receives a complaint of unauthorized practice, the Director shall refer the complaint to Office investigators and prosecutors.

  (b)(1) A person practicing a regulated profession without authority or an employer permitting such practice may, upon the complaint of the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney or an attorney assigned by the Office of Professional Regulation, be enjoined therefrom by the Superior Court where the violation occurred or the Washington County Superior Court and may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $5,000.00.

  (2)(A) The Attorney General or an attorney assigned by the Office of Professional Regulation may elect to bring an action seeking only a civil penalty of not more than $2,500.00 for practicing or permitting the practice of a regulated profession without authority before the board having regulatory authority over the profession or before an administrative law officer.

  (B) Hearings shall be conducted in the same manner as disciplinary hearings.

  (3)(A) A civil penalty imposed by a board or administrative law officer under this subsection (b) shall be deposited in the Professional Regulatory Fee Fund established in section 124 of this chapter for the purpose of providing education and training for board members and advisor appointees.

  (B) The Director shall detail in the annual report receipts and expenses from these civil penalties.

  (c) In addition to other provisions of law, unauthorized practice shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Prosecution may occur upon the complaint of the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney or an attorney assigned by the Office of Professional Regulation under this section and shall not act as a bar to civil or administrative proceedings involving the same conduct.

  (d)(1) A person whose license has expired for not more than one biennial period may reinstate the license by meeting renewal requirements for the profession, paying the profession’s renewal fee, and paying the following nondisciplinary reinstatement penalty:

  (A) if reinstatement occurs within 30 days after the expiration date, $100.00; or

  (B) if reinstatement occurs more than 30 days after the expiration date, an amount equal to the renewal fee increased by $40.00 for every additional month or fraction of a month, provided the total penalty shall not exceed $1,500.00.

  (2) Fees assessed under this subsection shall be deposited into the Regulatory Fee Fund and credited to the appropriate fund for the profession of the reinstating licensee.

  (3) A licensee seeking reinstatement may submit a petition for relief from the reinstatement penalty, which a board may grant only upon a finding of exceptional circumstances or extreme hardship to the licensee; provided, however, that fees under this subsection shall not be assessed for any period during which a licensee was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty.

  (4) Practice by a licensee with an expired license that continues for more than two years, or practicing at any time when the licensee knew or should have known the license was expired, may be prosecuted by the State as unauthorized practice under this section or as unprofessional conduct pursuant to subdivision 129a(a)(3) of this title.

  (e) A person practicing a licensed profession without authority shall not institute any proceedings in this State for the enforcement of any right or obligation if at the time of the creation of the right or obligation the unlicensed person was acting without authority.

  (f) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to any other remedies or penalties for unauthorized practice established by law. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1995, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 1, 1996; 1995, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. May 15, 1996; 2003, No. 60, § 1; No. 66, § 84; 2005, No. 27, § 3; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2015, No. 38, § 2, eff. May 28, 2015; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2019, No. 30, § 3.)

• § 128. Disciplinary action to be reported to the Office

  (a)(1) Any hospital, clinic, community mental health center, or other health care institution in which a licensee performs professional services shall report to the Office, along with supporting information and evidence, any disciplinary action taken by it or its staff that limits or conditions the licensee’s privilege to practice or leads to suspension or expulsion from the institution.

  (2) The report shall be made within 10 days of the date the disciplinary action was taken, regardless of whether the action is the subject of a pending appeal, and in the case of a licensee who is employed by, or under contract with, a community mental health center, a copy of the report shall also be sent to the Commissioners of Mental Health and of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living.

  (3) This section shall not apply to cases of resignation, separation from service, or changes in privileges that are unrelated to:

  (A) a disciplinary or adverse action;

  (B) an adverse action report to the National Practitioner Data Bank;

  (C) an unexpected adverse outcome in the care or treatment of a patient;

  (D) misconduct or allegations of misconduct;

  (E) the initiation or process of an action to limit, condition, or suspend a licensee’s privilege to practice in an institution;

  (F) an action to expel the licensee from an institution; or

  (G) any other action that could lead to an outcome described in subdivisions (A) through (F) of this subdivision (3).

  (b) Within 30 days of any judgment or settlements involving a claim of professional negligence by a licensee, any insurer of the licensee shall report such information to the Office, regardless of whether the action is the subject of a pending appeal.

  (c) Information provided to the Office under this section shall be confidential unless the Office decides to treat the report as a complaint, in which case the provisions of section 131 of this title shall apply.

  (d) A person who acts in good faith in accord with the provisions of this section shall not be liable for damages in any civil action.

  (e) A person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.00. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1995, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 13, 2002; 2011, No. 66, § 1, eff. June 1, 2011; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2017, No. 48, § 2; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)

• § 129. Powers of boards or of Director in advisor professions; discipline process

  (a) In addition to any other provisions of law, a board or the Director, in the case of professions that have advisor appointees, may exercise the following powers:

  (1) Consistent with other law and State policy, develop administrative rules establishing evidence-based standards of practice appropriate to secure and promote the public health, safety, and welfare; open and fair competition within the marketplace for professional services; interstate mobility of professionals; and public confidence in the integrity of professional services.

  (2) Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in connection with any authorized hearing, investigation, or disciplinary proceeding. Subpoenas may be issued ex parte by the chair of the board, the Director, or any attorney representing a party. Depositions may be taken after charges upon due notice to all parties without specific authorization by the board.

  (3) Issue warnings or reprimands, suspend, revoke, limit, condition, deny, or prevent renewal of licenses, after disciplinary hearings or, in cases requiring emergency action, immediately suspend, as provided by section 814 of this title. In a case involving noncompliance with a statute or rule relating to administrative duties not related to patient, client, or customer care, a board or hearing officer may determine that ordering a monetary civil penalty does not constitute a finding of unprofessional conduct.

  (4) Reinstate or deny reinstatement of a license that has been revoked, suspended, limited, or conditioned.

  (5) Discipline any licensee or refuse to license any person who has had a license application denied or a license revoked, suspended, limited, conditioned, or otherwise disciplined by a licensing agency in another jurisdiction for conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct in this State, or has surrendered a license while under investigation for unprofessional conduct.

  (6) Notify relevant State, federal, and local agencies and appropriate bodies in other states of the status of any disciplinary case against an applicant or licensee, provided the board has taken disciplinary action or has served a notice of charges against the person.

  (7) Refuse to accept the return of a license tendered by the subject of a disciplinary investigation or refuse to allow an applicant who is the subject of a disciplinary investigation to withdraw his or her application without permission of the board.

  (8) Adopt rules governing the issuance of licenses to practice, to persons licensed and in good standing to practice in another jurisdiction, that authorize the holder of the license to practice in this State for no more than 10 days or 80 hours in any calendar year upon payment of the required fee.

  (9) For good cause shown, waive fees when a license is required to provide services on a pro bono basis or in accordance with standards established by the board by rule.

  (10)(A) Issue temporary licenses during a declared state of emergency. The person to be issued a temporary license must be:

  (i) currently licensed, in good standing, and not subject to disciplinary proceedings in any other jurisdiction; or

  (ii) a graduate of an approved education program during a period when licensing examinations are not reasonably available.

  (B) The temporary license shall authorize the holder to practice in Vermont until the termination of the declared state of emergency or 90 days, whichever occurs first, provided the licensee remains in good standing, and may be reissued by the board if the declared state of emergency continues longer than 90 days.

  (C) Fees shall be waived when a license is required to provide services under this subdivision.

  (11) Treat as incomplete any license application submitted with a check subsequently returned for insufficient funds or without the personal attestation of the applicant or an authorized officer of an applicant corporation as to the representations therein.

  (12) Waive or modify continuing education requirements for persons on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

  (13) Administer a Vermont statutes and rules examination as a condition of licensure, renewal, or reinstatement.

  (14) Grant an honorary license to those individuals having demonstrated outstanding service to a profession, at the discretion of the board. An honorary license shall not confer the right or privilege to practice the profession in this State.

  (b) A board or the Director, in the case of professions that have advisor appointees, shall receive complaints from any source, or may investigate without receiving a complaint.

  (c)(1) Boards and administrative law officers sitting in disciplinary cases shall do so impartially and without ex parte knowledge of the case in controversy.

  (2) A State prosecuting attorney assigned by the Office shall be responsible for prosecuting disciplinary cases before boards or administrative law officers.

  (3) The Office may assign one or more board members or advisors to assist Office investigators and the prosecutor in relation to the investigation and prosecution of licensing and disciplinary matters. If a board member has served in this capacity, the member shall not participate in ex parte communications with other board members regarding the case and shall not participate in deliberating or deciding the case.

  (d) A board or the Director shall notify parties, in writing, of their right to appeal final decisions of the board. A board or the Director shall also notify complainants in writing of the result of any disciplinary investigation made with reference to a complaint brought by them to the board or Director. When a disciplinary investigation results in a stipulation filed with the board, the board or the Director shall provide the complainant with a copy of the stipulation and notice of the stipulation review scheduled before the board. The complainant shall have the right to be heard at the stipulation review.

  (e)(1) When a board or the Director, in the case of professions that have advisor appointees, intends to deny an application for a license based on the applicant’s past or current unprofessional conduct or based on an ongoing investigation of the applicant, in Vermont or elsewhere, for unprofessional conduct, the board or Director shall send the applicant written notice of the decision by certified mail. The notice shall include a statement of the reasons for the action and shall advise the applicant that the applicant may file a petition within 30 days after the date on which the notice is mailed with the board or the Director for review of the board’s or Director’s preliminary decision.

  (A) At the review hearing, the applicant shall bear the burden of proving that the preliminary denial should be reversed and that the license should be granted.

  (B) After the hearing, the board or Director shall affirm or reverse the preliminary denial, explaining the reasons therefor in writing.

  (2) The decision of a board or the Director, in the case of professions that have advisor appointees, to deny an application for a license based on a finding by the board or the Director that the applicant has not fulfilled the qualifications or met the standards required for licensure shall be a final decision of the board or Director.

  (A) Upon such a final decision by the board or the Director, the board or Director shall send the applicant written notice of the decision by certified mail. The notice shall include a statement of the reasons for the action and shall advise the applicant that the applicant may appeal the decision of the board or Director to deny the application by filing a notice of appeal with the Director, who shall assign the case to an appellate officer.

  (B) Appeals of decisions by the board or Director to deny an application for licensure based on the qualifications of an applicant shall be conducted in accordance with 3 V.S.A. § 130a. The record in the appeal shall include the applicant’s application for the professional license, the written notice of the decision to deny the application, and any other materials established in rules adopted in accordance with 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.

  (f)(1)(A) The Director may appoint a hearing officer, who shall be an attorney admitted to practice in this State, to conduct a hearing that would otherwise be heard by a board. A hearing officer appointed under this subsection may administer oaths and exercise the powers of the board properly incidental to the conduct of the hearing.

  (B) When disciplinary charges are pending concurrently against a single individual or entity, in one profession or multiple, the Director is authorized to order that the matters be consolidated in a single proceeding.

  (2) In board professions, when a hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, the officer shall report findings of fact and conclusions of law to the board. The report shall be made within 60 days of the conclusion of the hearing unless the board grants an extension. The provisions of section 811 of this title regarding proposals for decision shall not apply to the hearing officer report.

  (3) The board may take additional evidence and may accept, reject, or modify the findings and conclusions of the hearing officer. Judgment on the findings shall be rendered by the board.

  (g) A board may authorize any of the following:

  (1) Its chair or Office legal counsel to grant continuances of scheduled hearings.

  (2) Its chair to grant or deny stays pending appeal.

  (3) An administrative law officer to convene and conduct prehearing conferences and to preside at hearings for the purpose of making procedural and evidentiary rulings. The board may overrule a ruling by an administrative law officer under this subdivision.

  (4) Office staff to grant applications that present no substantial discretionary or factual question and to administer the policies of the board between regular meetings.

  (h)(1) A board member, hearing officer, or administrative law officer having a personal or pecuniary interest or the appearance of a personal or pecuniary interest in the outcome of any board decision shall not participate in deciding the matter.

  (2)(A) A board member, hearing officer, or administrative law officer whose disqualification is sought shall either disqualify himself or herself or, without ruling on the request for disqualification, refer the request to the Secretary of State, who shall rule on the request.

  (B) The ruling of the Secretary of State on a request for disqualification shall be final and shall be subject to review only upon appeal of a final order of a board under section 130a of this title or of an administrative law officer under subsection (j) of this section.

  (i) A board may consult with the Attorney General or an attorney assigned by the Office of Professional Regulation for the proper conduct of its affairs. The Director may assign Office legal counsel to assist a board in the lawful and orderly conduct of its open meetings and other nondisciplinary business, including making procedural and parliamentary rulings.

  (j) Hearings involving denials of licensure or disciplinary matters concerning persons in professions that have advisor appointees shall be heard by an administrative law officer appointed by the Secretary of State.

  (k)(1) Whenever completion of certain continuing education requirements is a condition of renewal, the board may require the applicant to develop and complete a specific corrective action plan, to be completed within 90 days.

  (2) A board may grant a temporary renewal license pending the completion of the required continuing education.

  (l) Unless a disciplinary order expressly provides to the contrary, discipline against any license or credential issued by a regulatory body attached to the Office to an individual or entity shall be applicable as a matter of law to all other licenses issued to that licensee by that regulatory body.

  (m) In any proceeding under this section that addresses an applicant’s or licensee’s alleged sexual misconduct, evidence of the sexual history of the victim of the alleged sexual misconduct shall neither be subject to discovery nor be admitted into evidence. Neither opinion evidence of nor evidence of the reputation of the victim’s sexual conduct shall be admitted.

  (n)(1) A board may designate a hearing panel consisting of less than a quorum of the board to conduct hearings that would otherwise be heard by the full board. A hearing panel shall consist of at least three members, including at least one professional member of the board and at least one public member of the board. No member of the hearing panel shall have been a board member who was assigned, in accordance with subdivision (c)(3) of this section, to assist the Office investigators and prosecutor in relation to the investigation and prosecution of the matter being heard. The Director shall establish by rule the process for designating a hearing panel.

  (2) If there is an insufficient number of board members to serve on a hearing panel by reason of disqualification, resignation, vacancy, or necessary absence, the Director may appoint ad hoc members to serve on the hearing panel for that matter only.

  (3) If a board is unable to convene in a timely manner to hear a disciplinary matter or to appoint a hearing panel, the Director may designate a hearing panel to hear a matter that would otherwise be heard by the full board. If the Director appoints a hearing panel, the Director shall follow the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.

  (4) A hearing panel shall be designated solely upon the request and decision of the board or the Director and in accordance with this subsection and rules adopted by the Director in accordance with 3 V.S.A. chapter 25. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 63; 1993, No. 102, § 3; 1993, No. 103, § 3; 1993, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 19; 1995, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1995, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 1, 1996; 1995, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. May 15, 1996; 1997, No. 40, § 4; 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1999, No. 52, § 2; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 13, 2002; 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 27, 2002; 2003, No. 66, § 85; 2005, No. 27, § 4; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2007, No. 29, § 1; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2009, No. 35, § 1; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2011, No. 66, § 2, eff. June 1, 2011; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2015, No. 38, § 3, eff. May 28, 2015; 2017, No. 48, § 3; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2019, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. March 30, 2020; 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 2020; 2021, No. 69, § 3; 2023, No. 77, § 1, eff. June 20, 2023.)

• § 129a. Unprofessional conduct

  (a) In addition to any other provision of law, the following conduct by a licensee constitutes unprofessional conduct. When that conduct is by an applicant or person who later becomes an applicant, it may constitute grounds for denial of a license or other disciplinary action. Any one of the following items or any combination of items, whether the conduct at issue was committed within or outside the State, shall constitute unprofessional conduct:

  (1) Fraudulent or deceptive procurement or use of a license.

  (2) Advertising that is intended or has a tendency to deceive.

  (3) Failing to comply with provisions of federal or State statutes or rules governing the practice of the profession.

  (4) Failing to comply with an order of the board or violating any term or condition of a license restricted by the board.

  (5) Practicing the profession when medically or psychologically unfit to do so.

  (6) Delegating professional responsibilities to a person whom the licensed professional knows, or has reason to know, is not qualified by training, experience, education, or licensing credentials to perform them, or knowingly providing professional supervision or serving as a preceptor to a person who has not been licensed or registered as required by the laws of that person’s profession.

  (7) Willfully making or filing false reports or records in the practice of the profession, willfully impeding or obstructing the proper making or filing of reports or records, willfully failing to file the proper reports or records, or willfully providing inaccurate health or medical information to a patient, including purposeful misrepresentation of a patient’s health status.

  (8) Failing to make available promptly to a person using professional health care services, that person’s representative, or succeeding health care professionals or institutions, upon written request and direction of the person using professional health care services, copies of that person’s records in the possession or under the control of the licensed practitioner, or failing to notify patients or clients how to obtain their records when a practice closes.

  (9) Failing to retain client records for a period of seven years, unless laws specific to the profession allow for a shorter retention period. When other laws or agency rules require retention for a longer period of time, the longer retention period shall apply.

  (10) Conviction of a crime related to the practice of the profession or conviction of a felony, whether or not related to the practice of the profession. If an individual has a conviction of concern, the board or hearing officer shall consider the following in determining whether to deny or discipline a license, certification, or registration to the individual based on the following factors:

  (A) the nature and seriousness of the conviction;

  (B) the amount of time since the commission of the crime;

  (C) the relationship of the crime to the ability, capacity, and fitness required to perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the profession; and

  (D) evidence of rehabilitation or treatment.

  (11) Failing to report to the Office a conviction of any felony or misdemeanor offense in a Vermont District Court, a Vermont Superior Court, a federal court, or a court outside Vermont within 30 days.

  (12) Exercising undue influence on or taking improper advantage of a person using professional services, or promoting the sale of services or goods in a manner that exploits a person for the financial gain of the practitioner or a third party.

  (13) Performing treatments or providing services that the licensee is not qualified to perform or that are beyond the scope of the licensee’s education, training, capabilities, experience, or scope of practice.

  (14) Failing to report to the Office within 30 days a change of name, e-mail, or mailing address.

  (15) Failing to exercise independent professional judgment in the performance of licensed activities when that judgment is necessary to avoid action repugnant to the obligations of the profession.

  (16)(A) Impeding an investigation under this chapter or unreasonably failing to reply, cooperate, or produce lawfully requested records in relation to such investigation.

  (B) The patient privilege set forth in 12 V.S.A. § 1612 shall not bar the licensee’s obligations under this subsection (a) and a confidentiality agreement entered into in concluding a settlement of a civil claim shall not exempt the licensee from fulfilling his or her obligations under this subdivision (16).

  (17) Advertising, promoting, or recommending a therapy or treatment in a manner tending to deceive the public or to suggest a degree of reliability or efficacy unsupported by competent evidence and professional judgment.

  (18) Promotion by a treatment provider of the sale of drugs, devices, appliances, or goods provided for a patient or client in such a manner as to exploit the patient or client for the financial gain of the treatment provider, or selling, prescribing, giving away, or administering drugs for other than legal and legitimate therapeutic purposes.

  (19) Willful misrepresentation in treatments or therapies.

  (20) Offering, undertaking, or agreeing to cure or treat a disease or disorder by a secret method, procedure, treatment, or medicine.

  (21) Permitting one’s name or license to be used by a person, group, or corporation when not actually in charge of or responsible for the professional services provided.

  (22) Prescribing, selling, administering, distributing, ordering, or dispensing any drug legally classified as a controlled substance for the licensee’s own use or to an immediate family member as defined by rule.

  (23) For any professional with prescribing authority, signing a blank or undated prescription form or negligently failing to secure electronic means of prescribing.

  (24) For any mental health care provider, use of conversion therapy as defined in 18 V.S.A. § 8351 on a client younger than 18 years of age.

  (25) For providers of clinical care to patients, failing to have in place a plan for responsible disposition of patient health records in the event the licensee should become incapacitated or unexpectedly discontinue practice.

  (26) Sexually harassing or exploiting a patient, client, or consumer, or doing so to a coworker in a manner that threatens the health, safety, or welfare of patients, clients, or consumers; failing to maintain professional boundaries; or violating a patient, client, or consumer’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

  (27) For a health care practitioner, failing to comply with one or more of the notice, disclosure, or advertising requirements in 18 V.S.A. § 4502 for administering stem cell or stem cell-related products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  (28) Engaging in conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

  (29) Providing or claiming to provide services or medications that are purported to reverse the effects of a medication abortion.

  (b) Failure to practice competently by reason of any cause on a single occasion or on multiple occasions may constitute unprofessional conduct, whether actual injury to a client, patient, or customer has occurred. Failure to practice competently includes:

  (1) performance of unsafe or unacceptable patient or client care; or

  (2) failure to conform to the essential standards of acceptable and prevailing practice.

  (c) The burden of proof in a disciplinary action shall be on the State to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the person has engaged in unprofessional conduct.

  (d)(1) After hearing, and upon a finding of unprofessional conduct, a board or an administrative law officer may take disciplinary action against a licensee or applicant, including imposing an administrative penalty not to exceed $5,000.00 for each unprofessional conduct violation.

  (2)(A) Any money received under this subsection shall be deposited in the Professional Regulatory Fee Fund established in section 124 of this chapter for the purpose of providing education and training for board members and advisor appointees.

  (B) The Director shall detail in the annual report receipts and expenses from money received under this subsection.

  (e) In the case where a standard of unprofessional conduct as set forth in this section conflicts with a standard set forth in a specific board’s statute or rule, the standard that is most protective of the public shall govern.

  (f)(1) Health care providers. Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section or any other law to the contrary, no health care provider who is certified, registered, or licensed in Vermont shall be subject to professional disciplinary action by a board or the Director, nor shall a board or the Director take adverse action on an application for certification, registration, or licensure of a qualified health care provider, based solely on:

  (A) the health care provider providing or assisting in the provision of legally protected health care activity; or

  (B) a criminal, civil, or disciplinary action in another state against the health care provider that is based solely on the provider providing or assisting in the provision of legally protected health care activity.

  (2) Definitions. As used in this subsection:

  (A) “Health care provider” means a person who provides professional health care services to an individual during that individual’s medical care, treatment, or confinement.

  (B) “Health care services” means services for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure, or relief of a physical or mental health condition, including procedures, products, devices, and medications.

  (C) “Legally protected health care activity” has the same meaning as in 1 V.S.A. § 150. (Added 1997, No. 40, § 5; amended 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. June 27, 2002; 2003, No. 60, § 2; 2005, No. 27, § 5; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2009, No. 35, § 2; 2011, No. 66, § 3, eff. June 1, 2011; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2017, No. 48, § 4; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. July 1, 2019; 2019, No. 30, § 4; 2021, No. 61, § 2; 2021, No. 69, § 4; 2021, No. 69, § 20, eff. June 8, 2021; 2023, No. 15, § 6, eff. May 10, 2023.)

• § 129b. Board member and advisor appointments

  (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary relating to terms of office and appointments for members of boards attached to the Office of Professional Regulation, all board members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for staggered five-year terms and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Appointments under this section shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor may remove any member of a board as provided in section 2004 of this title. Vacancies created other than by expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner that the initial appointment was made for the unexpired portion of the term. Terms shall begin on January 1 of the year of appointment and run through December 31 of the last year of the term. The Governor may request nominations from any source but shall not be bound to select board members from among the persons nominated. As provided in section 2004 of this title, board members shall hold office and serve until a successor has been appointed.

  (b) Board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. Members appointed to fill a vacancy created before the end of a term shall not be deemed to have served a term for purposes of this section.

  (c) Boards shall meet annually, in September or the first meeting scheduled thereafter, to elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary.

  (d) Meetings may be called by the chair or shall be called upon the request of any other two board members.

  (e) Meetings shall be warned and conducted in accordance with 1 V.S.A. chapter 5, the Open Meeting Law.

  (f) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, board members and advisors for all professions attached to the Office of Professional Regulation shall be entitled to compensation, at a rate provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010 , for performance of official duties and other duties directly related to the efficient conduct of necessary business of a board or the Office.

  (g) For advisor professions:

  (1) Advisors shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of State. Advisor appointments shall be subject to the same conditions as those for board members under this section.

  (2) The Office shall warn and conduct an open meeting including advisors, program staff, and interested members of the public:

  (A) at least once per year for each profession with 500 or fewer active licensees; and

  (B) at least twice per year for each profession with more than 500 active licensees. (Added 1997, No. 40, § 6; amended 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 3, 5; 2005, No. 27, § 6; 2007, No. 29, § 2; 2019, No. 30, § 5.)

• § 130. Provisional licensure

  (a) The Director may issue a 90-day provisional license to an individual who has completed an application for full licensure and:

  (1) whose eligibility for licensure is contingent upon acceptable verification of licensure from another jurisdiction;

  (2) whose eligibility for licensure is contingent upon completion of a background check; or

  (3) who is an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces assigned to duty in Vermont or the spouse of such a member.

  (b) A provisional license shall be based on a voluntary agreement between the applicant and the Office to expedite the applicant’s entry into the workforce, in which the applicant agrees to forgo the procedural rights associated with traditional licensure in exchange for a provisional license pending final determination of the license application.

  (c) A provisional license shall only be issued to an applicant who can attest to material facts consistent with the requirements of full licensure, including the applicant’s standing in other U.S. jurisdictions, criminal history, and disciplinary history. An individual to whom a provisional license is issued shall expressly agree that the Office may summarily withdraw the provisional license upon discovery of any inconsistency or inaccuracy in the application materials.

  (d) An individual aggrieved by a denial or summary withdrawal of a provisional license issued under this section shall have as an exclusive remedy the right to have the individual’s application for conventional licensure determined according to the usual process.

  (e) The Director may extend a provisional license beyond the initial 90-day period if the reason for issuing the license, as set forth in subdivisions (a)(1)–(3) of this section, has not been resolved. (Added 2021, No. 107 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 9, 2022.)

• § 130a. Appeals

  (a)(1) A party aggrieved by a final decision of a board or administrative law officer may, within 30 days of the decision, appeal that decision by filing a notice of appeal with the Director who shall assign the case to an appellate officer.

  (2)(A) The review shall be conducted on the basis of the record created before the board or administrative law officer.

  (B) In cases of alleged irregularities in procedure before the board or administrative law officer, not shown in the record, proof on that issue may be taken by the appellate officer.

  (b) The appellate officer shall not substitute his or her judgment for that of the board or administrative law officer as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact. The appellate officer may affirm the decision, or may reverse and remand the matter with recommendations if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the board’s or administrative law officer’s finding, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:

  (1) in violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;

  (2) in excess of the statutory authority of the board or administrative law officer;

  (3) made upon unlawful procedure;

  (4) affected by other error of law;

  (5) clearly erroneous in view of the evidence on the record as a whole;

  (6) arbitrary or capricious; or

  (7) characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.

  (c) A party aggrieved by a decision of the appellate officer may appeal to the Supreme Court, which shall review the matter on the basis of the records created before the board or administrative law officer and the appellate officer. (Added 1993, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. Feb. 16, 1994; amended 2015, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2017, No. 48, § 5.)

• § 131. Accessibility and confidentiality of disciplinary matters

  (a) It is the purpose of this section both to protect the reputation of licensees from public disclosure of unwarranted complaints against them, and to fulfill the public’s right to know of any action taken against a licensee when that action is based on a determination of unprofessional conduct.

  (b) All meetings and hearings of boards shall be subject to the Open Meeting Law.

  (c) The Secretary of State, through the Office of Professional Regulation, shall prepare and maintain a register of all complaints, which shall be a public record and which shall show:

  (1) with respect to all complaints, the following information:

  (A) the date and the nature of the complaint, but not including the identity of the licensee; and

  (B) a summary of the completed investigation; and

  (2) only with respect to complaints resulting in filing of disciplinary charges or stipulations or the taking of disciplinary action, the following additional information:

  (A) the name and business addresses of the licensee and complainant;

  (B) formal charges, provided that they have been served or a reasonable effort to serve them has been made, and all subsequent pleadings filed by the parties;

  (C) the findings, conclusions, rulings, and orders of the board or administrative law officer;

  (D) the transcript of the hearing, if one has been made, and exhibits admitted at the hearing;

  (E) stipulations filed with the board or administrative law officer; and

  (F) final disposition of the matter by the appellate officer or the courts.

  (d) Neither the Secretary nor the Office shall make public any other information regarding unprofessional conduct complaints, investigations, proceedings, and related records except the information required to be released under this section.

  (e) The discovery rules for conduct complaints shall apply to and govern the provision of investigatory files to those charged with unprofessional conduct.

  (f) As used in this section, “disciplinary action” means an action based on a finding of unprofessional conduct that suspends, revokes, limits, or conditions a license in any way, including administrative penalties, warnings, and reprimands.

  (g) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the disclosure of any information regarding unprofessional conduct complaints, or investigations thereof, in response to an order from a court of competent jurisdiction, or to State or federal law enforcement or regulatory agencies, provided the receiving agency or department:

  (1) agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the information as provided in subsection (d) of this section; and

  (2) has jurisdiction over the subject matter in question. (Added 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 8; 1999, No. 52, § 3; 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. June 27, 2002; 2003, No. 60, § 3; 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2011, No. 78 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 2, 2012; 2015, No. 38, § 4, eff. May 28, 2015; 2017, No. 48, § 6.)

• § 132. Board quorums

  Except as otherwise provided by law, a majority of the members of a board constitutes a quorum for transacting business, and all action shall be taken upon a majority vote of board members present and voting. (Added 2005, No. 27, § 8.)

• § 133. Business registration

  When professional services are required by law to be performed in or by a business entity registered with the Office, the business entity shall:

  (1) register with the Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, if required by law; and

  (2) separately register with the Office each name under which the business entity will conduct business, register licensees, and advertise in Vermont. (Added 2015, No. 38, § 5, eff. May 28, 2015.)

• § 134. License renewal

  (a) A license expires if not renewed biennially on a schedule assigned by the Office, or in the case of a provisional or temporary license, on the date assigned by the Office.

  (b) Practice with an expired license is unlawful and exposes a practitioner to the penalties set forth in section 127 of this chapter. (Added 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.)

• § 135. Uniform standard for renewal following extended absence

  (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, when an applicant seeks to renew an expired or lapsed license after fewer than five years of absence from practice, readiness to practice shall be inferred from completion of any continuing education that would have been required if the applicant had maintained continuous licensure, or by any less burdensome showing set forth in administrative rules specific to the profession or permitted by the Director.

  (b) When an applicant seeks to renew an expired or lapsed license after five or more years of absence from practice, the Director may, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and as appropriate to ensure the continued competence of the applicant, determine that the applicant has either:

  (1) demonstrated retention of required professional competencies and may obtain an unencumbered license; or

  (2) not demonstrated retention of all required professional competencies and should be reexamined or required to reapply in like manner to a new applicant.

  (c) The Director may consult with a relevant board or advisor appointees for guidance in assessing continued competence under this section. (Added 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; amended 2019, No. 30, § 6.)

• § 136. Uniform continuing education evaluation and forum

  (a)(1) If continuing education is required by law or rule, the Office shall apply uniform standards and processes that apply to all professions regulated by the Office for the assessment and approval or rejection of continuing education offerings, informed by profession-specific policies developed in consultation with relevant boards and advisor appointees.

  (2)(A) Not less than once every five years, each profession attached to the Office shall review its continuing education or other continuing competency requirements. The review results shall be in writing and address the following:

  (i) the renewal requirements of the profession;

  (ii) the renewal requirements in other jurisdictions, particularly in the Northeast region;

  (iii) the cost of the renewal requirements for the profession’s licensees;

  (iv) an analysis of the utility and effectiveness of the renewal requirements with respect to public protection; and

  (v) recommendations to the Director on whether the continuing education or other continuing competency requirements should be modified.

  (B) The Director shall respond to the profession within 45 days after its submitted review results. The Director may require a profession to reduce, modify, or otherwise change the renewal requirements, including by proposing any necessary amendments to statute or rule.

  (b) When completion of continuing education is required for renewal of a license regulated under this title, synchronous virtual continuing education courses shall qualify as live, in-person training and be accepted for renewal of the professional license. (Added 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; amended 2019, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 1, 2021; 2023, No. 77, § 2, eff. June 20, 2023.)

• § 136a. Uniform process for endorsement from other states

  (a) Notwithstanding any statute or rule to the contrary and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, all professions attached to the Office shall have an endorsement process that requires not more than three years of practice in good standing in another jurisdiction within the United States, regardless of whether that jurisdiction has licensing requirements substantially similar to those of this State.

  (b) Any profession determining that three years of demonstrated practice in another jurisdiction is not adequately protective of the public shall provide its rationale to the Director, who may propose any necessary statutory or rule amendments in order to implement more restrictive requirements for endorsement.

  (c) The Director may issue to an endorsement applicant a waiver of the profession’s practice requirement if there is a showing that the waiver follows State policy and the public is adequately protected. (Added 2019, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. April 1, 2021; amended 2021, No. 69, § 18, eff. June 8, 2021.)

• § 137. Uniform process for foreign credential verification

  (a) The Director shall adopt rules that prescribe a process for the Director to assess the equivalence of an applicant’s professional credentials earned outside the United States as compared to State licensing requirements for those professions attached to the Office that do not have laws addressing the verification and recognition of such credentials.

  (b) Any determination of equivalence by the Director under this section shall be recorded in the applicant’s licensing file and shall be binding upon the relevant State board or regulatory program.

  (c) In administering this section, the Director may rely upon third-party credential verification services. The cost of such services shall be paid by the applicant.

  (d) The provisions relating to preliminary license denials set forth in subsection 129(e) of this subchapter shall apply to a license application that is preliminarily denied for nonequivalence under this section. (Added 2019, No. 10, § 1, eff. April 30, 2019.)

• § 138. Required education for specified licensees; State energy goals

  (a) The following licensees are required to complete the education module regarding the State’s energy goals as described in this section:

  (1) architects licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 3;

  (2) landscape architects licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 46;

  (3) pollution abatement facility operators licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 99;

  (4) potable water supply and wastewater system designers licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 97;

  (5) professional engineers licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 20;

  (6) property inspectors licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 19;

  (7) real estate appraisers licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 69; and

  (8) real estate brokers and salespersons licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 41.

  (b) The Office shall require each of the licensees described in subsection (a) of this section to complete an education module regarding the State’s energy goals and how each licensee’s specific profession can further those goals.

  (1) The education module shall be not more than two hours and shall be required as a condition of initial licensure and each license renewal. The module shall include education on any State or utility incentives relevant to the profession.

  (A) The education module for initial licensure shall provide general information regarding the State’s energy goals.

  (B) The education module for license renewal shall provide any updates on the State’s energy goals and any updates regarding corresponding State energy programs applicable to the profession.

  (2) The Office shall consider any recommendations on these education modules provided by relevant stakeholders and approve education modules in consultation with the Agency of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Service for all the licensees set forth in subsection (a) of this section and in consultation with the Department of Taxes for real estate appraisers and real estate brokers and sales persons. (Added 2019, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 33, eff. July 1, 2021.)