Agency
Virginia Department of Health
 
Board
State Board of Health
 
chapter
Regulations for the Licensure of Nursing Facilities [12 VAC 5 ‑ 371]
 
Guidance Documents
 
Chapter Information
Description The regulations provide standards and requirements for the construction, maintenance and operation of nursing faciliites and impose standards for the qualification and training of facility staff.
State Authority 32.1-127
Federal Authority None entered
Text of Regulation Link to Virginia Administrative Code
Meetings See all meetings (7) relating to this chapter.

Contact Information
Name / Title: Peter North  / Policy Analyst
Address: Virginia Department of Health
9960 Mayland Drive, Ste. 401
Richmond, VA 23233
Email Address: regulatorycomment@vdh.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)814-4079    FAX: (804)527-4502    TDD: ()-
Current Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Amend Regulations After Enactment of Chapters 323, 505, and 944 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. Becomes effective on 11/04/2026.
Promulgation of New Regulation to Implement Chapters 414 and 415 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Not yet submitted to Attorney General for certification.
Amend Regulation after Enactment of Chapters 166 and 180 of the 2025 Acts of Assembly Proposed Attorney General review in progress.
Amend Regulation after Enactment of Chapters 712 and 772 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly Fast-Track Comment period is underway and will end on 11/04/2026.

Past Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Promulgation of Regulations after Enactment of Chapters 254 and 265 of the 2025 Acts of Assembly Emergency/NOIRA Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/27/2026 and expires on 01/26/2028.
Amend Regulation after Enactment of Chapters 277, 330, and 432 of the 2025 Acts of Assembly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/19/2025.
Repeal Ch 371 and Replace Following Assessment and Receipt of Public Comment NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 06/18/2025.
Amend Regulation to Incorporate Legislative Mandates from 2021, 2020, 2005, and 2004; to Update Terms to Match Statutory Language; and to Update Licensure Provisions Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/13/2026.
Amend Regulation to Conform to Chapters 219 and 525 of the 2021 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/11/2021.
Amend Regulation Following Periodic Review Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 05/27/2021.
Amend Regulation to Conform to Chapter 846 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/06/2020.
Amend regulations to revise construction standards for nursing facilities Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/31/2021.
Amend Regulations to conform to Chapters 136 and 343 of the 2019 Acts of Assembly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 08/23/2019.
Amend Regulations to Conform to Requirements of HB343 of 2016
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/21/2018.
Amend Regulations to Conform to Provisions of HB2072 of 2017 Session
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/21/2018.
Amend regulations to address implementation of voluntary electronic monitoring Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/13/2018.
Amend Section 160 relating to liability insurance in cases of injury, neglect or criminal acts
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/08/2013.
CH 0371 CH0371 Nursing facilities policies
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/01/2011.
CH 0371 CH0371 Nursing facility family councils
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/01/2011.
Regulations for the Licensure of Nursing Facilities - technical changes
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/30/2010.
Nursing facility building/construction regulation update
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 07/15/2010.
Patients' Rights
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/04/2008.
Amend in accordance with emergency provision of 1999 law. Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 02/28/2002.
Exempt action to amend the regulations to require training for reporting abuse of facility residents.
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/27/2000.

Withdrawn Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Amend regulations to address implementation of voluntary electronic monitoring Fast-Track Stage withdrawn on 07/24/2015 during the public comment period.
Exempt action to amend the regulations to require training for reporting abuse of facility residents.
Final Stage withdrawn on 01/01/1900 before submission to the Registrar.

Periodic Reviews
Last Activity Status
12/18/2019 Agency Completed Amend
9/26/2012 Agency Completed Retain As Is
11/30/2000 Agency Completed Retain As Is