TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS, WETLAND PROFESSIONALS, AND GEOLOGISTS

Final Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 18VAC145-20. Professional Soil Scientists Regulations (amending 18VAC145-20-151).

18VAC145-30. Regulations Governing Certified Professional Wetland Delineators (amending 18VAC145-30-90).

18VAC145-40. Regulations for the Geology Certification Program (amending 18VAC145-40-20).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: August 1, 2025.

Agency Contact: Kathleen R. Nosbisch, Executive Director, Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-8514, FAX (804) 527-4294, or email soilscientist@dpor.virginia.gov.

Summary:

Pursuant to § 54.1-113 of the Code of Virginia, the amendments adjust fees charged by the board. Changes to the proposed regulation include (i) adjusting fees and (ii) updating forms.

Summary of Public Comments and Agency's Response: A summary of comments made by the public and the agency's response may be obtained from the promulgating agency or viewed at the office of the Registrar of Regulations.

18VAC145-20-151. Fees.

The fees for licensure are listed below in this section. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia. All fees required by the board are nonrefundable. In the event that a check, money draft, or similar instrument for payment of a fee required by statute or regulation is not honored by the bank or financial institution named, the applicant or regulant shall be required to remit fees sufficient to cover the original fee plus an additional processing charge as authorized by § 2.2-614.1 C of the Code of Virginia.

[ FORMS (18VAC145-20)

Professional Soil Scientist License Application (with instructions), A439-3401LIC-v2 (rev. 8/14)

Professional Soil Scientist License Application , A439-3401LIC-v3 (rev. 8/2025)

Professional Soil Scientist Experience Log, A439-3401EXP-v1 (rev. 9/2013)

Virginia Certified Professional Soil Scientist Application for Licensure, A439-3401GLIC-v2 (eff. 4/14)

Professional Soil Scientists License Renewal Form, A439-3401REN-v2 (rev. 8/2025)

Professional Soil Scientists, Professional Wetland Delineator and Geologists - Universal License Recognition (ULR) Application. A439-3401_02_28ULR-v2 (rev. 8/2025) ]

18VAC145-30-90. Fees.

All fees required by the board are nonrefundable and shall not be prorated.

[ FORMS (18VAC145-30)

Professional Wetland Delineator Certification Application, A439-3402CERT-v2 (rev. 7/2024)

Professional Wetland Delineator Certification Application, A439-3402CERT-v3 (rev. 8/2025)

Professional Wetland Delineator Experience Log, A439-3402EXP-v2 (rev. 3/2015)

Professional Wetland Delineator Reference Form, A439-3402REF-v1 (rev. 9/2013)

Professional Soil Scientists, Professional Wetland Delineator and Geologists - Universal License Recognition (ULR) Application. A439-3401_02_28ULR-v2 (rev. 8/2025) ]

18VAC145-40-20. Fees.

All fees for application, examination, renewal, and reinstatement [ shall will ] be established by the board pursuant to § 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia. All fees are nonrefundable and [ shall will ] not be prorated.

1. The application fee for certification [ shall will ] be $90 [ $120 $110 ].

2. The fee for renewal of certification [ shall will ] be $70 [ $120 $90 ].

3. The application fee for the Geologist-in-Training (GIT) designation [ shall will ] be $20.

4. The fee for examination or reexamination is subject to contracted charges to the department by an outside vendor. These contracts are competitively negotiated and bargained for in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). Fees may be adjusted and charged to the candidate in accordance with this contract.

5. The penalty fee for late renewal [ shall will ] be $25 [ $35 $50 ] in addition to the renewal fee.

6. The reinstatement fee [ shall will ] be $90 [ $120 $125 ].

[ FORMS (18VAC145-40)

Geologists Certification and Reinstatement Application, A439-28CERT-v6 (rev. 1/15)

Geologist-in-Training Designation Application, A439-28GIT-v1 (rev. 1/13)

Geologists Certification and Reinstatement Application, A439-28CERT-v7 (rev. 8/2025)

Geologist-in-Training Designation Application, A439-28GIT-v2 (rev. 8/2025)

Geological Work Experience Log, A439-28EXP-v5 (rev. 1/2013)

Information Sheet, A439-28INFO-v5 (rev. 1/15)

Information Sheet, A439-28INFO-v6 (rev. 8/2025)

Professional Soil Scientists, Professional Wetland Delineator and Geologists - Universal License Recognition (ULR) Application. A439-3401_02_28ULR-v2 (rev. 8/2025) ]