Overview of State of Vermont Office of Professional Regulation

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State of Vermont Office of Professional Regulation is part of the office of Secretary of State. The OPR helps protect the public from unethical practitioners with systemic accountability. The regulatory boards address things like annual reports, legislative updates, reviewing applications for professional reviews, and statutes and rules for professions.

Annual Reports

In annual reports, the OPR reports changes and events for the fiscal year (July 1- June 30). Activities of specific units within the office are summarized for the 45 different professions managed by the OPR. Statistical data on expenditures and revenues for all regulatory programs may be included. This information is public knowledge and is accessible through Vermont state website.

Legislative Updates

Each year the State of Vermont of professional regulations brings new legislation before congressional operations committees for examination and assessment for changes. Changes must be approved with the governor’s signature. Implementation of these regulations is a year round effort and due to legislative timing, it must be well-planned out in advance in order for change to take place.

Statutes and Rules

Every profession connected with the State of Vermont professional regulations office is governed by blanketed expectations for one and all. General statutes include ethical guidelines, administrative rules, and particular procedural documentations. Statutes are outlined in definitive rules, which are clear and concise regarding issues like fees and fund regulation, disciplinary actions and confidentiality thereof, expiration of credentials, duties of office and many other necessary directives.

Professional Reviews

By law, a profession must be regulated only when it is necessary to protect the public. A good regulatory board will recognize only professions that fit into this category, lest they open their state to liability when outside this realm of definition. Even in proper perimeters of regulation, these committee members will only apply the minimal amount of regulation needed to keep professions within their scope of legal limits. Over the past decade, Sunrise Reviews have been conducted regarding professions who have appealed to the board for regulation. Some of these professional organizations include: Landscape Architects, Massage Therapists, Midwives, Optometrists, Respiratory Therapists, and Alarm Installers.

There is safety in regulation, for these associations, in that they have clear directives of what is expected of their professional members and it gives a sense of accountability to all who are practicing in these realms. Implemented in a timely fashion with stringent structure, these regulations will help keep the patient safe from a nurse who is practicing with an addiction problem. It is a way to scrutinize a builder with chronic complaints of shoddy work, and athletic trainers who expect too much of a client who physically compromised. Regulatory agencies provide for a chain of command and safety in a “process” that will allow fair investigation and restitution when and if it is applicable.

Licensure

Regulations and guidelines also allow for licensure documentation and insure accountability for professionals to maintain continuing education in these procedures. In order for most licensed professionals to maintain status, there is a process in place for them to sustain credentialing. Although the state regulatory board is not directly responsible for education, monitoring of licensure and eligibility is definitely within its realm of practice.