They are printed in the same document as the model licensing law. This document is available from Virginia Commonwealth University. For example, it will provide authority to inspect an agency and examine records in doing licensing, and may state how frequently licensing studies must be done, but policies give more specific information as to how to do it. Policies should not be voluminous detail but should be clear and be understood by all licensing staff. Generally, administrative policies are more functional if line staff are involved in making them and if they are kept reasonably flexible.
Flexibility is demonstrated in two ways.
First, staff will be able to deviate from them if circumstances warrant, and it should be possible to change them rather quickly if the need arises. This is not true for the law and rules. For licensing to be enforceable, it must be done consistently. Written policies and staff training make it possible for licensing staff to do this. There also is a greater likelihood that licensing staff will receive administrative backing if their work is consistent with policies.