Regulations / State
Virginia asbestos regulations.
Who licenses asbestos work in Virginia, who takes the notification, and how long before the job you have to file. Plus how the federal rules layer on top.
State licensing & accreditation
Asbestos abatement work in Virginia is licensed/accredited through the Virginia Dept. of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Asbestos, Lead & Home Inspectors (ALHI) under 18VAC15-21 (effective Jan 2, 2026; formerly 18VAC15-20).
Credentials the state issues:
- Asbestos contractor (firm)
- Supervisor
- Worker
- Inspector
- Management planner
- Project designer
- Project monitor
- Analytical laboratory
Notification
Notifications go to the Virginia Dept. of Labor & Industry (DOLI) under 16VAC25-20.
- Advance notice: 20 calendar days before an asbestos project; 10 working days before a demolition.
- Notification details / form.
How the federal rules layer in
No matter the state, federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 (asbestos in construction), EPA NESHAP (40 CFR 61, Subpart M), and AHERA worker accreditation still apply. A state program layers its own licensing and notification on top of — not instead of — these. Where Virginia has no state license, the federal accreditation and NESHAP notification requirements are the floor.
Virginia-specific notes
- Licensing (DPOR) and notification (DOLI) are different agencies.
- Asbestos contractor license required for projects exceeding 10 linear or 10 square feet.
- Notifications filed via the DOLI Self Service Portal.
Official sources
Related
- All asbestos regulations by state
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 — Asbestos in Construction
- EPA NESHAP — 40 CFR 61, Subpart M
- Asbestos abatement software
- Compliance reporting in Nexus
Last reviewed against the published rules: 2026-05-28. This is a summary, not legal advice. Asbestos rules — and the agencies that run them — change; confirm the current requirements with the Virginia Dept. of Labor & Industry (DOLI) and read the actual rule before making a compliance decision.
Virginia asbestos: common questions
Do I need a license to do asbestos abatement in Virginia?
Yes — Virginia regulates who can perform asbestos abatement. Virginia Dept. of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Asbestos, Lead & Home Inspectors (ALHI). Relevant credentials include Asbestos contractor (firm), Supervisor, Worker, and others.
Who do I notify before asbestos work in Virginia, and how far in advance?
Notifications go to the Virginia Dept. of Labor & Industry (DOLI) (16VAC25-20). Required advance notice: 20 calendar days before an asbestos project; 10 working days before a demolition.
Do the federal OSHA and EPA asbestos rules still apply in Virginia?
Yes. Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, EPA NESHAP (40 CFR 61, Subpart M), and AHERA worker accreditation apply nationwide — Virginia's rules layer on top of them, not instead of them.
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