Correspondence and subject files of the Director of the Virginia Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation,

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Background

Scope and content:

Contains correspondence and subject files of the Director of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation that document the planning, direction, and implementation of agency and board programs and are evidence of actions and policy decisions. Includes correspondence with the agency boards, Secretary of Economic Development/Commerce and Trade, and the Governor’s Office. Also may include newsletters, weekly reports, strategic planning reports, agency study reports, and financial reports.

Accession 51743 consists of the correspondence and subject files of Director Gordon Dixon, who directed the agency from 2011-2014. These records include correspondence, newsletters, various plans and board information. This accession also includes 2 compact disks with correspondence and subject files.

Biographical / historical:

The Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation was formed in 1948 under the Government Reorganization Act. On March 24, 1978, the agency’s name was changed to the Dept. of Commerce. Effective July, 1993, the Department regained its original name. Currently, the Department is responsible for the these Boards: Appraisers (real estate), Architects, Asbestos, Lead and Home Inspectors, Auctioneers, Barbers, Body Piercing, Branch Pilots, Cemetery, Common Interest Community, Contractors, Cosmetology, Fair Housing, Geology, Hearing Aid Specialists, Interior Designers, Land Surveyors, Landscape Architects, Opticians, Polygraph Examiners, Professional Boxing and Wrestling, Professional Engineers, Professional Soil Scientists and Wetland Professionals, Real estate brokers, Surveyor Photogrammetrist, Tattooing, Tradesmen Licensure, Waste Management Facility Operators, and Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals.

The primary function of the Department is to provide administrative support to the boards within the Department which are currently responsible for licensing and certification of occupations. The Boards have regulatory authority for the issuance, suspension and revocation of certificates, permits, and licenses. The Department is operated by a director who is appointed by the Governor. The Department’s activities are broken-down into sub-programs for each of the examining boards. Major activities include review and evaluation of the regulation of professions, examination of those wishing to enter one of the regulated professions, licensing, consumer complaint resolution, and investigation of alleged violations or laws. The mission of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation is to protect the health, safety and welfare of Virginians, while promoting a competent workforce, fair housing opportunities, and a productive economy.

Acquisition information:

Accession 34743 was transferred by the Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation on 10/25/1994

Accession 51743 was transferred by the Dept. of Professional and Occupation Regulation on 3/1/2016.

Accession 53856 was transferred by the Dept. of Professional and Occupation Regulation on 3/21/2023.

Physical description:
113 cu. ft.; 11 gb