A. Section 54.1-2200 of the Code of Virginia provides definitions of the following terms and phrases as used in this chapter:

Board

Geologist

Geology

Practice of geology

Qualified geologist

Virginia certified professional geologist

B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Board" means the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists.

"Ethical Character" may be established if the applicant or regulant:

1. Has not been convicted of a non-marijuana misdemeanor in the last 10 years or has ever been convicted of a felony that would render the applicant unfit or unsuited to engage in the occupation or profession applied for in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia;

2. Has not committed any act involving dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, or incompetence reasonably related to:

a. The proposed area of practice within 10 years prior to application for licensure, certification, or registration; or

b. The area of practice related to licensure, certification, or registration by the board while under the authority of the board;

3. Has not engaged in fraud or misrepresentation in connection with the application for licensure, certification, or registration, or related exam;

4. Has not had a license, certification, or registration revoked or suspended for cause or been disciplined by the Commonwealth or by any other jurisdiction, or surrendered or has surrendered a license, certificate, or registration in lieu of disciplinary action; or

5. Has not practiced without the required license, registration, or certification in the Commonwealth or in another jurisdiction within the five years immediately preceding the filing of the application for licensure, certification, or registration by the Commonwealth.

"Geologist" means a person engaged in the public practice of geology.

"Geologist-in-Training (GIT)" means an individual who has completed the academic requirements specified in this chapter and has passed the Fundamentals of Geology examination, but has not met all requirements to qualify as a Virginia certified professional geologist.

"Geology" means the science dealing with (i) the earth and its history in general; (ii) the investigation, prediction, evaluation, and location of materials and structures which compose the earth; (iii) the natural processes that cause changes in the earth; and (iv) the application of knowledge of the earth, its processes, and its constituent rocks, minerals, liquids, gases and other natural materials.

"Practice of geology" means the performance of any service or work for the general public wherein the principles and methods of geology are applied.

"Qualified geologist" means an uncertified person who possesses all the qualifications specified in § 54.1-2208.2 of the Code of Virginia for certification.

"Related geological science degree" means a degree that shall include, but not be limited to, a degree in economic geology or petroleum geology 30 semester hours from courses in the geosciences, including 12 or more semester hours from at least four of the following disciplines: stratigraphy, structural geology, hydrogeology, mineralogy, petrology, geomorphology, and field geology.

"Responsible charge" means the direct control and supervision of the practice of geology.

"Supervision" means quality control review of all significant data collection, interpretation and conclusions.

"Virginia certified professional geologist" means a person who possesses all qualifications specified in this chapter for certification and whose competence has been attested by the board through certification.

A. Certificates issued under this chapter shall expire on August 31 of the odd-numbered year following the date of issuance. Certificate holders shall be notified by mail of the fee and the procedure for certificate renewal at least 45 days before the certificate expires. Each certificate holder desiring to renew his certificate shall submit the renewal notice with the appropriate fee before the certificate expires.

B. There shall be a penalty fee for late renewal assessed in addition to the renewal fee for any certificate holder failing to renew the certificate within 30 days following the date of expiration.

C. Failure to receive written notice from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation does not relieve the regulant from the requirement to renew his certificate. If the certificate holder fails to receive the renewal notice, a copy of the certificate may be submitted with the required fee.

D. The date a fee is received by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, or its agent, will be used to determine whether a penalty fee or the requirement for reinstatement of a certificate is applicable.

E. Revoked or suspended certificates are not renewable until reinstated by the board.

A certified professional geologist may apply a rubber stamp or preprinted seal to final and complete cover sheets and to each original sheet of plans or drawings prepared or reviewed and approved by the regulant. The seal may be applied to the cover sheet of technical reports and specifications prepared or reviewed and approved by the regulant.

1. All seal imprints on final documents shall be signed.

2. Application of the seal and signature shall indicate acceptance of responsibility for work shown thereon.

3. The original seal shall be two inches in diameter and conform in detail and size to the design illustrated below:

*The number referred to is the number, usually three or four digits, as shown on the wall certificate and is the license renewal number issued each biennium as indicated on the licensee's pocket card. The number will not change every two years, but is permanent on the seal is the last four digits of the certificate number.

A. Each In addition to the requirements in § 54.1-2208.2 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant for certification as a certified professional geologist in Virginia shall:

1. Make application on forms provided by the board;

2. Be of ethical character;

3. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, engineering geology, geological engineering or a related geological science. In the absence of one of the aforementioned degrees, each applicant shall provide evidence of the satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours (or the equivalent) of geological science courses including, but not limited to, the following subjects:

a. Stratigraphy;

b. Structural geology;

c. Mineralogy;

d. Paleontology;

e. Petrology;

f. Geomorphology; and

g. Field geology.

At least 12 semester hours must have been completed in four of the seven subjects listed in this subsection.

4. Provide the board with written documentation that demonstrates that the courses satisfactorily completed by the applicant are equivalent to those required by this section.

5. 3. Have at least seven years of geological work that shall include either a minimum of three years of geological work under the supervision of a qualified or certified professional geologist, or a minimum of three years of experience in responsible charge of geological work. The work shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following areas:

a. Mineralogy.

(1) Identify and classify major rock types.

(2) Identify mineral assemblages.

(3) Determine probable genesis and sequence of mineral assemblages.

(4) Identify minerals on the basis of chemical composition.

(5) Predict subsurface mineral characteristics on the basis of exposures and drillholes.

b. Petrography/petrology.

(1) Identify and classify major rock types.

(2) Determine physical properties of rocks.

(3) Determine chemical properties of rocks.

(4) Determine types or degrees of rock alteration.

(5) Determine suites of rock types.

c. Geochemistry.

(1) Establish analytical objectives and approaches.

(2) Evaluate geochemical data.

(3) Construct models based on results of geochemical analysis.

(4) Make recommendations based upon results of geochemical analyses.

d. Hydrogeology.

(1) Design and interpret hydrologic testing programs.

(2) Utilize chemical data to evaluate hydrogeologic conditions.

(3) Apply geophysical methods to analyze hydrogeologic conditions.

(4) Determine physical and chemical properties of aquifers and vadose zones.

(5) Determine groundwater flow systems.

(6) Evaluate groundwater resources.

(7) Evaluate groundwater quality.

(8) Design wells and drilling programs.

(9) Develop groundwater resource management plans.

(10) Plan and evaluate remedial action programs.

e. Engineering geology.

(1) Provide geological information and interpretations for engineering design.

(2) Identify and evaluate potential seismic and other geologic hazards.

(3) Provide geologic consultation during and after construction.

(4) Develop and interpret engineering geology maps and sections.

(5) Evaluate materials resources.

(6) Define and establish site selection and evaluation criteria.

(7) Design and implement field and laboratory programs.

(8) Describe and sample soils for geologic analysis and materials properties testing.

f. Mining geology.

(1) Formulate exploration programs.

(2) Implement field investigations on prospects.

(3) Perform geologic interpretations for mineral reserves.

(4) Perform economic analyses/appraisals.

(5) Provide geologic interpretations for mine development and production activities.

(6) Provide geologic interpretations for mine abandonments, closures, or restorations.

g. Petroleum geology.

(1) Formulate exploration programs.

(2) Implement field investigations on prospects.

(3) Perform geologic interpretations of physical properties and hydrocarbon reserves.

(4) Perform petroleum economic analyses/appraisals.

(5) Provide geologic interpretations for development and production activities.

(6) Provide geologic interpretations for abandonments, closures, or restorations.

B. Each year of full-time undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one-half year of experience up to a maximum of two years, and each year of full-time graduate study shall count as a year of experience up to a maximum of three years. Credit for undergraduate and graduate study shall in no case exceed a total of four years toward meeting the requirements for at least seven years of geological work. The board may consider in lieu of the above-described geological work, the cumulative total of geological work or geological research of persons occupying research or post-graduate positions as well as those teaching geology courses at the college or university level, provided such work or research can be demonstrated to be of a sufficiently responsible nature to be equivalent to the geological work required above Applicants holding degrees other than those listed in subdivision B 2 of § 54.1-2208.2 of the Code of Virginia shall provide the board with written documentation that demonstrates that the courses satisfactorily completed by the applicant are equivalent geological science courses.

C. A year of full-time employment is a minimum of 1,760 hours or 220 workdays in a 12-month period. More than 1,760 hours or 220 workdays during a 12-month period shall not be considered as more than one year of full-time experience 32 hours per week. Partial credit may be given for actual hours of work or workdays experience if the applicant works as a geologist less than full time.

D. Each applicant shall successfully pass an appropriate examination approved by the board and designed to demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skill to exercise the responsibilities of the public practice of geology.

The board may waive the examination requirement for any applicant who makes written application, otherwise meets the requirements of Chapter 22 (§ 54.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and also meets one of the following conditions:

1. Provides evidence of at least 12 years of geological work that includes the geological work as specified in 18VAC-145-40-70; or

2. Provides evidence of an unexpired certificate of registration, certification or license to engage in the practice of geology issued on the basis of comparable requirements by a proper authority of a state, territory or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia.

The board may approve applicants to sit for the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination without having met the experience requirements of 18VAC145-40-70. The applicant shall submit an application on forms provided by the board, pay the fee established in 18VAC145-40-20, and satisfy one of the following requirements:

1. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science and provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the degree program.

2. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major other than geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science and have satisfactorily completed at least 30 semester hours (or the equivalent) of geological science courses including, but not limited to, the following subjects:.

a. Stratigraphy;

b. Structural geology;

c. Mineralogy;

d. Paleontology;

e. Petrology;

f. Geomorphology; and

g. Field geology.

At least 12 of the 30 semester hours of geological science courses must have been completed in four of the seven subjects listed in this subsection. The applicant shall provide an official college transcript and written documentation that demonstrates the courses satisfactorily completed by the applicant are equivalent to those required by this section geological science courses.

3. Be enrolled in an undergraduate geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science curriculum of at least four years at an accredited college or university and be within 12 months of completing undergraduate degree requirements. The applicant shall provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of course work.

4. Be enrolled in a graduate geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science curriculum at an accredited college or university and be within six months of completing graduate degree requirements. The applicant shall provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of course work.

A. To be eligible to obtain the GIT designation, each applicant shall:

1. Make application on forms provided by the board;

2. 1. Be of ethical character;

3. 2. Have achieved a passing score on a board-approved Fundamentals of Geology examination;

4. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science; or

5. 3. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major other than geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science and have satisfactorily completed at least 30 semester hours (or the equivalent) of geological science courses from courses in the geosciences, including 12 or more semester hours from at least four of the following disciplines: , but not limited to, the following subjects: stratigraphy, structural geology, hydrogeology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, geomorphology, and field geology. At least 12 of the 30 semester hours of geological science courses must have been completed in four of the seven subjects listed in this subsection.

B. Prior to obtaining the designation of GIT, an applicant who qualified to sit for a board-approved Fundamentals of Geology examination under subdivision 3 or 4 of 18VAC145-40-83 and passed the examination must provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the degree program.

C. The designation of GIT will remain valid until the individual meets all requirements for certification as a Virginia certified professional geologist.

D. The designation of GIT does not give an individual the authority to practice as a certified professional geologist. An individual may not practice as a certified professional geologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia until his competence has been attested by the board through certification.

A certified professional geologist:

1. Shall not submit any false statements or fail to disclose any facts requested concerning his or another's application for certification.

2. Shall not falsely or maliciously attempt to injure the reputation or business of another.

3. 2. Shall not engage in any fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in advertising, in soliciting or in providing professional services.

4. 3. Shall not knowingly sign, stamp, or seal any plans, drawings, blueprints, surveys, reports, specifications, or other documents not prepared or reviewed and approved by the certificate holder.

5. 4. Shall make full disclosure to all parties of:

a. Any transaction involving payments made to any person for the purpose of securing a contract, assignment, or engagement; or

b. a. Any monetary, financial or beneficial interest he may have in any contract or entity providing goods or services, other than his professional services, to a project or engagement.

6. Shall express an opinion only when it is founded on adequate knowledge of established facts at issue, on a background of technical competence in the subject matter, and on an honest conviction of the accuracy of the testimony when serving as an expert or technical witness before any court, commission, or other tribunal.

7. Shall provide adequate representation of his qualifications and scope of responsibilities for all previous experience claimed when negotiating with prospective clients.

Each certified professional geologist and geologist-in-training shall notify the board, in writing, of any change of address or name. This notification shall be sent to the board within 30 days after such change of address or name.

A certified professional geologist shall not:

1. Accept any work on any project or other professional engagement when a duty to a client or to the public would conflict with his personal interest or the interest of another client, unless immediate disclosure of all material facts of the conflict is made to each client related to the project or engagement.

2. Accept compensation for services related to the same project or professional engagement from more than one party without making prior full disclosure to all parties involved.

3. Offer, either directly or indirectly, any commission, political contribution, or other consideration in seeking work except to secure a salaried position through employment agencies The regulant shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their agents, or other parties dealing with a client or employer in connection with work for which the regulant is responsible.

The board may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the certification of any geologist who, after a formal hearing as provided for in the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia), is found to have committed:

1. Fraud or deceit in obtaining or renewing certification (See subdivision 5 of § 54.1-111 of the Code of Virginia);

2. Any violation of Part III -- Standards of Practice and Conduct, other regulations of the board, or governing statutes of the board;

3. An act or acts of gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct in the practice of geology as a certified professional geologist; or

4. Any conviction of a felony that in the opinion of the board would adversely affect the practice of geology.