The Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians licenses:(1) individuals who test and fit hearing aids and (2) individuals who fit and sell prescription glasses and contact lenses.

The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. The Board also regulates individuals who teach and schools that provide training in those areas.

RESTAURANT INSPECTION Environmental Health Specialists inspect places that prepare food for public consumption. This includes restaurants, school cafeterias, day-care centers, hospitals and more. Inspect temporary food service vendors at local festivals. Check out the latest inspections of your favorite restaurant at http://healthspace.com/Clients/VDH/VDH/web.nsf/home.xsp FOODBORNE ILLNESSES If you suspect that more than one person has become ill after eating a common food, please contact your local health department. You can also log onto MyMealDetective.com to file an online foodborne illness report.

The Polygraph Examiners Advisory Board licenses individuals who administer and interpret tests designed to detect deception or verify truth. The Advisory Board is comprised of three licensed polygraph examiners employed by Virginia law enforcement agencies, three licensed polygraph examiners employed in private industry, and two citizen members.

Inspects all public eating establishments, (including school cafeteria) to ensure compliance with Virginia's sanitation code. Investigates food borne disease reports.

The Board for Branch Pilots licenses the pilots responsible for safe passage of ships in Virginia's major shipping lanes and waterways. The Circuit Courts of Hampton, Norfolk, and Portsmouth appoint individuals to the nine-member Board.

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

Provides certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses, and dependent children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates. This coverage, however, is only available when coverage is lost due to certain specific events. Group health coverage for COBRA participants is usually more expensive than health coverage for active employees, since usually the employer pays a part of the premium for active employees while COBRA participants generally pay the entire premium themselves. It is ordinarily less expensive, though, than individual health coverage. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who are involuntarily terminated from employment through the end of May 2010. The COBRA premium reduction under ARRA is not available for individuals who experience involuntary terminations after May 31, 2010. However, individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010 may continue to pay reduced premiums for up to 15 months, as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare. The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010 signed by the President on July 22, 2010, did not extend the COBRA premium reduction. Individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010 may continue to pay reduced premiums for up to 15 months, as long as they are not eligible for another group health plan or Medicare. If your COBRA continuation coverage lasts for more than 15 months, you will need to pay the full amount to continue your COBRA continuation coverage. See FAQ Q1 clarifying the end of the COBRA ARRA subsidy. See the Fact Sheet and FAQs for important information on maintaining your COBRA coverage after your subsidy expires. Individuals who believe they have been incorrectly denied the subsidy may request the Employee Benefits Security Administration review their denial and issue a determination within 15 business days. The application to request a review is available on the web site.

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

Provides the following Environmental Health Services: Complaints Environmental Health documents and investigates residents' complaints about environmental health problems, including reports of food and waterborne disease, mosquito problems, improper sewage disposal, and other public health issues. Food Services Local health department staff inspect and issue required permits to such food service establishments as school cafeterias, restaurants, food stands at community events, camps, day care centers, B&B's, and migrant camps. They work with those who provide prepared food to the public to help assure that food is wholesome and healthy. The local health department is responsible for working with local dairies to assure a healthy product, free of disease. This is done through regular inspections and ongoing input into dairy operations. Drinking Water Environmental health staff provides assistance to property owners who have or desire to have private wells on their property. They assist with required activities and issue, upon proper documentation and payment of fees, permits for private on-site wells. Each county health department maintains records on properties with private on-site wells. Sewage Disposal Environmental health staff provides assistance to residents who desire to or already have on-site sewage disposal systems on their own or their rented property. This assistance includes providing the activities, referral and documentation necessary to obtain required permits for on-site sewage disposal. Each county health department maintains records on properties with on-site sewage disposal systems.

Provides residents with comprehensive environmental health services such as food, water and building inspection, sewage disposal, septic and well permits, public food permits, regulation of public food establishments, tourist establishment sanitation and restaurant applications. Investigates reports of food illnesses, working with businesses and citizens to educate and correct deficiencies. Also investigates reports of raw sewage or other reports of ground water contamination.

Provides residents with comprehensive environmental health services such as food, water and building inspection, sewage disposal, septic and well permits, public food permits, regulation of public food establishments, tourist establishment sanitation and restaurant applications. Investigates reports of food illnesses, working with businesses and citizens to educate and correct deficiencies. Also investigates reports of raw sewage or other reports of ground water contamination.

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

The Board of Long Term Care Administrators at the Virginia Department of Health Professions regulates the following professions and occupations that fall under this board only: Nursing Home Administrators, Nursing Home Preceptors, Nursing Home Continuing Education Vendors. Automated License Verification: 804-270-6836

The Division of Public Utility Regulation (PUR) provides support to the Commission in its regulation of Virginia's investor-owned electric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities, member-owned electric cooperatives, and the telecommunications industry. Its chief function is supporting the Commission in its goal to ensure Virginia consumers receive adequate utility services at just and reasonable rates.

The Common Interest Community Board regulates common interest community managers, as well as certain employees of licensed management firms. The Board's authority also includes condominium and time-share project registrations, and extends to transactions occurring within Virginia, even if the property involved is located outside the Commonwealth. Property owner, condominium, and cooperative associations are required to file annual reports with the Board.

Offers assistance with apprenticeship programs, and occupational safety and health. Provides a Voluntary Safety Compliance Training program. Administers the commonwealth labor laws. Oversees child labor laws. Includes the Division of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety. Provides labor market research and analysis. Provides an online information center at www.doli.virginia.gov/infocenter.html.

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

Provides information boating and licensing. All boat transactions must be processed through the Henrico office by mail or in person. Renewals may be processed online when issued a PIN Number. Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries Region 5 - Free course by Boat US Foundation - 800 245-2628 - Virginia Boating Safety Course - 800 830-2268 - Virginia Boat Operator's Course - 877 677-2628 - Virginia Boating Safety Course Boater Exam - 866 764-2628

Provides residents with comprehensive environmental health services such as food, water and building inspection, sewage disposal, septic and well permits, public food permits, regulation of public food establishments, tourist establishment sanitation and restaurant applications. Investigates reports of food illnesses, working with businesses and citizens to educate and correct deficiencies. Also investigates reports of raw sewage or other reports of ground water contamination.

The Board for Waste Management Facility Operators establishes training criteria, approves training providers, and licenses qualified individuals who manage waste facilities in the Commonwealth.

This agency is the professional licensing and disciplinary body for all attorneys practicing in the State of Virginia. Will also help persons trying to locate a specific Virginia Attorney. Send all inquiries for specific biographical information or on legal malpractice insurance information here.

Inspects all public eating establishments, (including school cafeteria) to ensure compliance with Virginia's sanitation code. Investigates food borne disease reports.

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

Provides residents with comprehensive environmental health services such as food, water and building inspection, sewage disposal, septic and well permits. public food permits, regulation of public food establishments, tourist establishment sanitation and restaurant applications. Investigates reports of food illnesses, working with businesses and citizens to educate and correct deficiencies. Also investigates reports of raw sewage or other reports of ground water contamination. ACCESSIBILITY: Necessary to negotiate steps. Adjacent off-street parking. Front entrance passenger loading zone. Passenger elevator available.