Virginia’s online permit tracking system, Virginia Permit Transparency (VPT), has been recognized with the 2025 Commonwealth Technology Award for Innovative Use of Technology at the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) Conference.
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the award and highlighted the impact of VPT on businesses and families in the state. “VPT has made life easier for thousands of Virginia businesses and families,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “When permits move quickly, businesses can grow and professionals can succeed. VPT takes the guesswork out of the process and gives agencies the tools to deliver faster, more transparent results. This award is a proud recognition of Virginia’s leadership in cutting red tape and driving innovation in government.”
The development of VPT began as a pilot program at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in 2022. In 2024, it expanded to include additional agencies and was launched as a dashboard covering permit and license applications from ten state agencies, processing approximately 100,000 applications annually. The system allows users to track their permit or license status online, providing transparency similar to package tracking services.
Since its launch, VPT has contributed to significant reductions in processing times across multiple agencies. DEQ reported a 65% decrease in permit processing times since starting the pilot program. Other participating agencies—including the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Energy (ENERGY), Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services (VDACS), Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), and Virginia State Police (VSP)—have each reduced processing times by at least 10% since joining VPT in 2024.
Executive Order 39, issued in 2024, directed all state agencies to further streamline permitting by eliminating unnecessary permits or licenses, digitizing processes, and accelerating issuance timelines. Several agencies—such as VDACS, Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Virginia Department of Taxation (TAX), DEQ, VMRC, and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)—have simplified or eliminated certain permit types as part of this effort.
Reeve Bull, Director of the Office of Regulatory Management, noted broader interest in Virginia’s approach: “The success of VPT is yet another example of how Virginia has become the model for regulatory efficiency and transparency across the nation,” said Reeve Bull. “Other states, as well as federal agencies, are now in the process of adopting similar reforms. We are honored to receive this recognition of Virginia agencies’ extraordinary work to date and are redoubling our efforts to build a best-in-class regulatory system in Virginia.”
State officials plan to continue moving all permitting activities online and reducing processing times under Executive Order 39 over the coming months.
