Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-502.1 — Weight loss centers or clinics; disclosure
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 3: Miscellaneous Offenses in General, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-502.1
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
No weight loss center or clinic shall, in its name or advertisements, use the words "physicians" or "doctors" or refer to its clients as "patients" or indicate that "medical teams" are available in its facility unless (i) the facility employs at least one registered nurse full-time and employs or contracts with at least one physician licensed by the Board of Medicine for services or consultation in connection with the facility's activities; or (ii) the facility is under the full-time supervision of a physician; or (iii) the clinic or program is operated by or in conjunction with a licensed hospital. Any physician affiliated with a weight loss center or clinic for purposes of consultation or supervision shall have primary responsibility for decisions made within the scope of that affiliation relating to the provision of medical services or care to persons using the services of that facility and shall have primary responsibility for medical decisions relating to the evaluation of the appropriateness of the admission of persons to the weight loss program. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is weight loss centers or clinics a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Weight loss centers or clinics is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-502.1.
Which Virginia statute covers weight loss centers or clinics?
Weight loss centers or clinics is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-502.1 (Weight loss centers or clinics; disclosure).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.