Hello,

I am writing as a private citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia and as a practicing Geologist with an active license in Virginia and North Carolina. I support keeping the Geologist Certification Program in the current Code of Virginia. I support amending the regulations to make the certification a mandatory requirement when providing services that have a direct impact on public health, safety, welfare, and property. I believe it would be beneficial to have continuing education obligations comparable to other states with a similar certification program. To be competitive with other states who provide geological services to the public and private industry, it is necessary to have a professional licensure in-place to demonstrate competency and accountability.

Industry and the public seek certified and qualified practitioners when looking for geological services, including, but not limited to, public/private water well installation, contaminant investigations, site development, environmental due diligence, geotechnical services, mineral resource exploration/development, consulting, energy studies/services, and geologic hazard assessments, among other services.

Having worked in private industry and within state government, I can attest to the importance of having a professional certification for not only demonstrating competence within the field of Geology, but also to provide services that help steer decisions that protect property and public health and deliver sound environmental stewardship of resources. This certification ensures practicing geologists are held to the same standards, provide reliable result-oriented services, and have a robust commitment to ethical practice of the profession.

Thank you for your time.