An act relating to professions and occupations regulated by the Office of Professional Regulation
Sponsored By: Matthew J Birong (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.
Accountants get three defined licensing paths
Vermont removes the good-character requirement for certified public accountant licensing by examination. Applicants must pass the exam and meet one of three education and public accounting work paths. The paths are a graduate accounting degree plus one year of work; 150 semester hours, including a bachelor's degree and 42 accounting-related hours, plus one year of work; or a bachelor's accounting degree plus two years of work. Education and work must meet the accounting board's requirements. The board can no longer accept other work it considers substantially equivalent.
Trafficking-related reporters gain massage enforcement protection
Beginning December 1, 2026, qualifying crime reporters are protected from enforcement for unauthorized massage or bodywork practice. The person must report to law enforcement promptly and in good faith. The reported crime must arise from that person's involvement in prostitution or human trafficking. Qualifying reporters cannot be cited, arrested, or prosecuted for that unauthorized practice.
Pharmacies gain testing and treatment authority
Pharmacists can start antibiotic treatment under a state protocol or a collaborative practice agreement. State protocols can authorize certain federally waived tests for COVID-19, flu, and strep throat, plus follow-up drug treatment. Protocols can also authorize HIV prevention medicines before or after exposure. The health commissioner must approve protocols after consulting pharmacy regulators and allowing public comment. Pharmacy technicians can perform authorized tests under a state protocol or commissioner standing order, with a trained pharmacist present and ready to help.
Dental instructors get fee-free limited licenses
Beginning September 1, 2026, full-time instructors at accredited dental programs can get a limited academic dentist license. They need a qualifying dental degree and any required emergency-procedure or CPR courses. Practice is limited to accredited teaching facilities under a Vermont dentist's general supervision. Without a separate Vermont dentist license, holders cannot hold sedation or general-anesthesia specialties. Application and renewal fees are both $0, with renewal every two years. Holders must report the end of full-time instructor status within 48 hours and stop practicing under this license. Renewal requires continued full-time instructor status and the applicable dentist renewal requirements.
Out-of-state accountants keep Vermont practice access
Certified public accountants whose main business location is outside Vermont can practice without a Vermont license. They must hold a valid state license, pass the uniform accounting exam, and meet a listed education and public accounting work path. Accountants designate their main business location for these practice rights. Those with an active state license and Vermont practice rights on December 31, 2024, keep those rights without a Vermont license. They must still meet the chapter's other requirements.
Massage businesses face registration with exceptions
Beginning December 1, 2026, locations regularly providing massage or bodywork, or advertising specified massage, bodywork, touch, or energy services, must register unless exempt. Establishments remain responsible for unlawful operations even when owners are absent or unaware; unregistered operation counts as unauthorized practice. Locations served solely by registration-exempt people or one practitioner do not need establishment registration. Off-site practice is allowed at a location outside the establishment definition when the practitioner and client agree in advance. Establishments with only two practitioners pay a $50 application fee and $75 renewal fee every two years. The director can adopt rules limiting requirements for businesses in private homes, but the law sets no specific home-business exemption.
Complainants can speak at discipline reviews
When a professional disciplinary investigation produces a filed settlement agreement, the complainant must receive a copy. The complainant must also receive notice of the agreement's review. The complainant has the right to speak at that review.
Advanced practice nurses submit fewer papers
Advanced practice registered nurses no longer need to submit proof of completing the practice requirement with license renewals. They still must submit current national specialty certification. A current collaborative provider agreement remains required when needed for the nurse's transition to practice.
Professionals gain an alternative to discipline
The Office of Professional Regulation must adopt rules creating programs that offer an alternative to discipline. Programs cover designated professionals with substance use disorders or practice issues identified by a board or the director. The director decides whether each license holder can enter; admission is not automatic.
Psychologists gain temporary education licensing options
The professional regulation director can set temporary policies allowing applicants to add education to meet psychologist licensing requirements. Policies must follow state psychology law and be developed with the psychology board and Vermont Psychological Association. The policies must be available to the public. The board must adopt updated rules by July 1, 2029. Temporary authority and policies end on that date, or sooner when permanent rules on added education are adopted.
Health facilities must report provider departures
Health care institutions must report certain Vermont licensee departures and changes in practice privileges. Reporting applies when the change is tied to discipline, adverse action, a National Practitioner Data Bank report, or an unexpected adverse patient outcome. It also covers misconduct or alleged misconduct, related practice-privilege proceedings, and similar actions that could lead to these outcomes. Institutions, not patients or households, must file these reports.
Massage clients get stronger provider oversight
Beginning December 1, 2026, massage establishments must visibly display their registration and every practicing provider's registration. Specified sexual conduct with clients, meetings for sexual conduct, and practice at nonexempt unregistered establishments count as unprofessional conduct. Registration applications can require ownership, management, premises, business registration, and establishment history information. Specified past misconduct at a location can justify denial through the unprofessional-conduct denial process, even after ownership or management changes. Authorized inspectors can visit without a complaint or before registration; inspections are free.
Midwives face detailed license renewal requirements
Midwives renew every two years by applying, paying the required fee, and proving compliance with renewal requirements. The preceding two years must include 20 approved education hours and at least four peer reviews. Renewal also requires current CPR and North American Registry of Midwives certifications, plus timely birth certificates for attended births. The director can require individual practice data at renewal. Reinstatement after a lapse of three years or less requires renewal, late-penalty, and reinstatement fees, plus proof of eligibility and completed renewal requirements.
Accountants gain reviews, face fraud penalties
Accounting applicants denied because their foreign credentials are not equivalent can use the state's license-denial review process. Attempting to get or use an accounting license through fraud or deception counts as unprofessional conduct. This includes false or forged statements and can lead to license denial or discipline.
License cancellations come with review rights
The professional regulation director can cancel licenses or interstate practice rights issued by mistake or without payment of required application fees. Compact-related cancellation can follow Vermont or a home state's withdrawal, or loss of an unrestricted home-state license. Affected holders have 30 days to obtain a full Vermont license; Vermont withdrawal requires notice before cancellation. For licenses active less than 30 days, cancellation can be prompt, but requested review must be scheduled within 30 days and decided within 40 days. Licenses active at least 30 days require 30 days' notice, and requesting a hearing pauses cancellation. Decisions can be appealed, and cancellations are not recorded as misconduct or adverse actions against other licenses or future applications. A Secretary of State-appointed hearing officer handles denials, cancellations, and discipline for professions overseen by appointed advisers.
Medical applicants face revised background-check rules
Beginning June 8, 2026, medical board background-check authority covers only doctors, podiatrists, anesthesiologist assistants, physician assistants, and radiologist assistants. These rules cover initial applications and renewals every two years. Applicants must consent and pay when a check is required. Applicants must receive notice that a check is required, whether fingerprints will be kept, and federally required information. The notice must explain that a conviction does not automatically bar a license. The law also removes board-specific criminal-record privacy and disclosure rules; other applicable privacy laws remain in place.
Funeral facilities gain duties with limits
Vermont's funeral-service definition covers cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction. Disposition-facility owners and staff can arrange these services, make contracts, and file documents only as needed for their duties. These contracts cannot involve taking prepaid funds. Removal and transportation must go through licensed removal personnel.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Matthew J Birong
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on June 8, 2026
5/29/2026HouseSigned by Governor on June 8, 2026
5/29/2026HouseDelivered to Governor on June 2, 2026
5/29/2026HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/21/2026HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/19/2026HouseAction Calendar: Unfinished Business
5/19/2026HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/18/2026HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/15/2026HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/14/2026SenateRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/13/2026SenateNew Business/Third Reading
5/13/2026Senate3rd reading ordered
5/12/2026SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations agreed to
5/12/2026SenateReported favorably by Senator Westman for Committee on Appropriations
5/12/2026SenateReported favorably by Senator Hardy for Committee on Finance
5/12/2026SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Government Operations
5/12/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Appropriations
5/12/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Finance
5/12/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
5/12/2026SenateNew Business/Second Reading
5/12/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Appropriations
5/8/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Finance
5/8/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations
5/8/2026SenateSecond Reading
5/8/2026SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/8/2026Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 119)Opens in a new window
6/12/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/12/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/27/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/14/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/14/2026
As Passed by the House
3/18/2026
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/18/2026
As Introduced
1/6/2026
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