Risk Control Institute

The Office of Workers' Compensation, in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Business’ Risk Management and Insurance Program, and the Department of Treasury Division of Risk Management, is pleased to present the Virginia Risk Control Institute (VRCI). The VRCI presents a series of professional development courses, offered through a Risk Control Certificate Track and a Risk Management Certificate Track. Each track offers a series of 3-credit undergraduate courses designed to assist state agencies and designated local government agencies to better control workplace accidents, injuries and occupational health exposures.

The Office of Workers' Compensation or the Division of Risk Management will pay course tuition fees and textbook costs (more details below) for participants from approved agencies who successfaully complete each course, and whose agencies approve their participation as part of a focused agency loss reduction effort.

To earn a certificate of completion from the Virginia Risk Control Institute, participants must complete four classes: three required courses within their chosen track (Risk Management or Risk Control) and one elective. All courses completed in prior semesters count towards the certificate of completion. Courses may be taken in any order.

The Fall 2026 VRCI Brochure is available here.

Why Build a Cadre of Informed Agency Safety Managers and Decision-Makers?

Workers' compensation losses, liability claims, citations for non-compliance along with growing numbers of federal and state Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) mandates present real and present challenges to Virginia agency risk managers, safety specialists, and other decision-makers. Executive Order 109 (10): Workplace Safety & Employee Health recognized the seriousness of the Commonwealth's risk-control challenges by directing Virginia state agencies and operational programs to focus their loss-control efforts. The VRCI supports EO 109 by helping agencies to develop the internal expertise to build and maintain effective risk control programs, not only now but also in the future.

The Virginia Risk Control Institute responds to this situation in two important ways:

1. It provides short-term training in key HSE program areas.
2. It serves to develop, over time, a cadre of trained state HSE program managers.

Short-Term Training in Key HSE Program Areas: VRCI participants complete a rigorous program of study that requires mastery of key HSE program topics and issues. Participants complete focused project assignments that apply course content to real-world agency problems. Students are tested and evaluated in such content areas as: HSE laws, regulations, and regulatory processes; accident/injury causation; the design and operation of accident/incident data reporting and collection systems; analyzing complex processes and systems; identifying and prioritizing risks; “designing out” significant loss producing hazards and threats; and, a variety of additional specialized programmatic topics, such as ergonomics and accident cost-accounting.

Long-Term Development (A Cadre of Trained HSE Program Managers): VRCI courses emphasize theory into practice; that is, each course provides a thorough academic treatment of the subject, but with emphasis on practical, real-world application. Since VRCI coursework requires participants to personally adapt, test, and evaluate what they learn through practical case-applications within their own job settings, graduates report finding themselves much better equipped to effectively respond to the complex HSE problems now confronting their agencies.

How the VRCI can help with the Governor's Executive Order 109: Workplace Safety & Employee Health?

Need information on how this program can assist you and your agency to comply with the Governor's Executive Order 109: Workplace Safety and Employee Health and with other federal and state safety mandates? For information or help, contact Johnny Nugent at 804-382-4158 or e-mail johnny.nugent@dhrm.virginia.gov. 

VRCI Faculty

The VRCI is coordinated by the VCU School of Business Risk Management and Insurance Program staff. Classes are taught by VCU faculty. Questions about course content may be directed to Jaclyn at vrci@vcu.edu. 

Eligibility and Funding

The VRCI is open to Virginia state and local government employees who hold a high school diploma or GED and are currently responsible for human resources, workers' compensation, risk management, and/or developing, implementing, and monitoring employee health and safety programs. 

The Department of Human Resource Management Office of Workers' Compensation and the Department of Treasury Division of Risk Management will pay course tuition fees and textbook costs for employees of agencies who meet the following criteria:  

• Workers' Compensation: The agency carries its Workers' Compensation insurance through DHRM.

• Division of Risk Management Funding: Costs are fully covered for state agency, local government, and constitutional officer employees, provided their agency is insured through VA RISK or VA RISK II.

Applicants outside of these covered areas are welcome to attend by paying tuition directly or exploring funding options through their local employer.

Scheduling & Location

One course is offered in both the Risk Control Track and the Risk Management Track each spring and fall semester. Classes are held virtually via Zoom. Each individual course meets one day per week from 3:00 - 5:40 p.m.

Acceptance into this Class

Acceptance will be based upon not only experience, but also safety/health/risk management background and the percentage of time spent in direct support of agency safety, health, or risk management goals. Class size is limited to 30 participants.

How To Apply?

In order to apply for the program and to take a class at VCU, you will need to fill out the two required forms below via DocuSign. If you have a specific question about the forms, please email Jaclyn at vrci@vcu.edu. 

Within DocuSign, remember to double click on check box fields.

REQUIRED FOR ALL:

1 - VRCI Application - You will need to enter your supervisor’s name and email. The form will be sent directly to him/her for signing.  Registration for Fall 2026 closes on Monday, August 3, 2026. Classes offered are RM/C-1 Principles of Risk Management and Insurance and RC-2: Ergonomics.

2 - VCU Forms - You will need to complete these VCU registration forms every time you take a class at VCU. If you have NOT taken a VCU course before, you will also need to attach transcripts within this form from your highest-level attained school.

If you do not submit the required documents, you may receive an administrative hold on your account and may be removed from the course by VCU Records and Registration.