TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS, WETLAND PROFESSIONALS, AND GEOLOGISTS

Final Regulation

Title of Regulation: 18VAC145-30. Regulations Governing Certified Professional Wetland Delineators (amending 18VAC145-30-10 through 18VAC145-30-70, 18VAC145-30-110, 18VAC145-30-120, 18VAC145-30-140, 18VAC145-30-160; repealing 18VAC145-30-80).

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2203 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: November 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 Executive Directive One (2022) and Executive Order 19 (2022), the amendments (i) revise definitions; (ii) revise the qualifying education for certification to include a graduate degree and remove the minimum number of required semester hours for certain coursework; (iii) increase the timeframe for reinstating an expired certificate to two years and remove a provision that the board may require examination or reexamination of an individual who is reinstating a certificate; and (iv) make the experience requirement more stringent for those seeking to qualify for certification based on inspection, review, or confirmation of wetland delineations.

Changes to the proposed regulation include (i) restoring a provision that requires an applicant for certification to submit an application to the board within a specified, less stringent timeframe prior to an examination date; (ii) removing a requirement that an applicant's reference know the applicant for at least one year and eliminating a restriction on references verifying an applicant's wetland experience; (iii) extending an applicant's examination eligibility period to three years; (iv) removing an outdated certificate renewal requirement; and (v) updating forms to reflect the amendments.

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.

18VAC145-30-10. Definitions.

All terms defined in Chapter 22 (§ 54.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia are incorporated in this chapter.

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

"Tidal wetlands" means those wetlands defined by subject to the jurisdiction of Chapter 13 (§ 28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Nontidal wetlands" means all other wetlands, as that term is defined in § 62.1-44.3 of the Code of Virginia, except those defined by subject to the jurisdiction of Chapter 13 (§ 28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC145-30-20. Qualifications for certification.

Applicants for certification shall pass the board-approved exam and meet the requirements specified in Chapter 22 (§ 54.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and this chapter. The board will waive the examination requirement for applicants who meet the requirements of § 54.1-2206 B of the Code of Virginia.

18VAC145-30-30. Receipt of application.

The date the completely documented completed application and fee are received in the board's office shall determine if the application has been received by the established deadline [ in 18VAC145-30-70 ].

18VAC145-30-40. Qualification for examination.

A. In order to qualify for the examination, an applicant shall provide (i) documentation of meeting education and experience requirements and (ii) three written references that comply with subsection B of this section and satisfy one of the following criteria: as provided for in § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia.

1. Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a wetland science, biology, biological engineering, civil and environmental engineering, ecology, soil science, geology, hydrology, or any similar biological, physical, natural science, or environmental engineering curriculum that has been approved by the board; have successfully completed a course of instruction in state and federal wetland delineation methods that has been approved by the board; and have at least three years of experience in wetland delineation, which meets the requirements of subdivision 1 or 2 of 18VAC145-30-50, the quality of which demonstrates to the board that the applicant is competent to practice as a certified professional wetland delineator;

2. Have a record of at least six years of experience in wetland delineation, which meets the requirements of subdivision 1 or 2 of 18VAC145-30-50, the quality of which demonstrates to the board that the applicant is competent to practice as a certified professional wetland delineator; or

3. Have a record of at least three years of experience in wetland science research or as a teacher of wetlands curriculum in an accredited institution of higher education, which meets the requirements of subdivision 3 of 18VAC145-30-50, and the quality of which demonstrates to the board that the applicant is competent to practice as a certified professional wetland delineator.

B. Every applicant shall provide three written references, on a form provided by the board, from wetland professionals with at least one from a certified professional wetland delineator. Individuals who provide references References shall not be related to the applicant [ and shall have known the applicant for at least one year. Individuals who provide references may not also verify experience, including research or teaching experience ].

18VAC145-30-50. Qualifying experience in wetland delineation.

An applicant shall demonstrate experience in one of the following areas:

1. For those individuals applying seeking to qualify pursuant to the provisions of 18VAC145-30-40 A 1 or A 2 subdivision 1 or 2 of § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia, the experience in wetland delineation must be as a wetland professional and include the preparation of no less fewer than 10 delineations, which must be no more than 10 years old at the time of receipt by the board office, delineating wetlands in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations that include the proper identification of vegetation, soil, and hydrology indicators. At least six of the 10 delineations must be for nontidal wetlands;

2. For those individuals applying seeking to qualify pursuant to the provisions of 18VAC145-30-40 A 1 or A 2 subdivision 1 or 2 of § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia, the experience in wetland delineation must be as a wetland professional and include the inspection, review, or confirmation of no less fewer than 30 delineations as an employee of a federal, state, or local governmental body that is authorized to review or approve such delineations, which must be no more than 10 years old at the time of receipt by the board office, delineating wetlands in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations that include the proper identification of vegetation, soil, and hydrology indicators. Such experience must include the performance of field verifications of a portion of those wetland delineations that were inspected, reviewed, or confirmed. At least six 18 of the 30 delineations must be for nontidal wetlands; or

3. For those individuals applying seeking to qualify pursuant to the provisions of 18VAC145-30-40 A 3 subdivision 3 of § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia, the experience as a wetland science researcher must include the preparation of a minimum of three field studies focused on wetland delineation practice and issues, which includes the proper identification of vegetation, soil, and hydrology indicators, and the experience as a teacher of wetlands curriculum must have been acquired in an accredited institution of higher education as a field or laboratory instructor of quarter quarter-length or semester length semester-length classes for a minimum of six semester hours, or equivalent, within the past 10 years prior to the receipt of the application by the board office, and the curriculum must have included the proper identification of vegetation, soil, and hydrology indicators.

18VAC145-30-60. Course requirements.

The education required pursuant to 18VAC145-30-40 A 1 subdivision 1 of § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia must include the following:

1. For a bachelors bachelor's or graduate degree in any similar biological, physical, natural science or environmental engineering curriculum to be approved by the board, it shall, at a minimum, contain coursework in the following:

a. Fifteen semester hours, or equivalent, in biological Biological sciences, including courses such as general biology, botany, or zoology; general ecology; plant, animal, aquatic, or wetlands ecology; invertebrate zoology; taxonomy; marine science; fisheries biology; plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, or plant morphology; relevant environmental sciences,; and similar courses;

b. Fifteen semester hours, or equivalent, in physical Physical sciences, including courses in soils, chemistry, hydrology, physics, geology, sedimentology, oceanography, coastal processes, environmental engineering, and similar courses; and

c. Six semester hours, or equivalent, in quantitative Quantitative sciences, including courses in math, computer sciences, basic statistics, population dynamics, experimental statistics, and similar courses.

2. The applicant must have successfully completed a course of instruction, of a minimum of 32 hours, in state and federal wetland delineation methods that includes the proper identification of vegetation, soil, and hydrology indicators and a field component.

18VAC145-30-70. Examination.

A. Once approved by the board, an applicant shall be eligible to sit for a board-approved examination.

B. An applicant must meet all eligibility requirements as of the date the completely documented completed application and fee is received by the board's office. [ For examination candidates, the completely documented application and fee must be received by the board's office at least ] 90 [ 60 days prior to the examination. ]

C. A candidate approved to take an examination shall do so within [ one year three years ] of the date of approval or submit a new application and fee in accordance with these regulations this chapter. If an applicant should not Applicants who fail to pass the board-approved examination within [ one year three years ] of being approved, the applicant shall be required to submit a new application [ and fee in accordance with this chapter in order to take the examination ].

D. A candidate who is unable to take the examination at the time scheduled must notify the department [ in writing ] prior to the date of the examination; such a candidate [ and will be rescheduled for the next examination without an additional fee. Failure to so notify the department will result in forfeiture of the examination or reexamination fee ].

[ E. Candidates will be notified of passing or failing the examination. ]

18VAC145-30-80. Waiver from examination. (Repealed.)

An applicant shall be granted a Virginia certificate without examination, provided that:

1. The applicant holds an unexpired professional wetland delineator certificate or equivalent issued on the basis of equivalent requirements for certification in Virginia, by a regulatory body of another state, territory or possession of the United States or has been provisionally certified under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineator Certification Program of 1993 and is not, nor has been, the subject of any disciplinary proceeding before such regulatory body, and such other regulatory body recognizes the certificates issued by this board, provided all other requirements of Chapter 22 (§ 54.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter are satisfied; or

2. Applicants who submit a complete application so that it is received by the board on or before June 30, 2006, and are found to be qualified pursuant to § 54.1-2206 B of the Code of Virginia (effective July 1, 2004), provided all other requirements of Chapter 22 (§ 54.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter are satisfied.

[ 18VAC145-30-110. Renewal.

A. The department shall send a renewal notice to the certificate holder at the last known address of record at least 30 days prior to expiration. Failure to receive this notice does not relieve the certificate holder from the requirement to renew the certificate. If the certificate holder fails to receive the renewal notice, a copy of the certificate shall be submitted with the required fee in lieu of the renewal notice.

B. If the renewal fee is not received by the department within 30 calendar days following the expiration date noted on the certificate, a late renewal fee of $25 shall be required in addition to the regular renewal fee. If the certificate is renewed after 30 days from the expiration date and prior to 180 days of the expiration date, the effective date of the renewal shall be the original renewal date. No certificate may be renewed more than 180 days following the date of expiration noted on the certificate.

C. The date a fee is received by the department or its agent shall determine whether a late renewal fee or the requirement for reinstatement or reapplication is applicable.

D. A certificate suspended by board order shall not be renewed until the period of suspension has ended and all terms and conditions of the board's order have been met. Individuals renewing certificates within 30 days after the suspension is lifted will not be required to pay a late fee. ]

18VAC145-30-120. Reinstatement.

A. If the renewal fee and late renewal fee are not received by the department within 180 days following the expiration date noted on the certificate, the certificate holder shall no longer be considered a certificate holder and will be required to apply for certificate reinstatement. The applicant shall meet the current eligibility standards for certification as a Virginia certified professional wetland delineator. The board may require examination or reexamination. The fee for reinstatement shall include the regular renewal fee plus the reinstatement fee.

B. If the reinstatement application and fee are not received by the department within one year two years following the expiration date noted on the certificate, the applicant shall apply as a new applicant and shall meet all current entry requirements as may be required by the board.

18VAC145-30-140. Standards of practice and conduct.

A Virginia certified professional wetland delineator:

1. Shall not submit any false statements, make any misrepresentations, or fail to disclose any facts requested concerning any application for certification or recertification.

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

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

4. Shall not knowingly represent a client or employer on a project on which the certificate holder represents or has represented another client or employer without making full disclosure thereof.

5. Shall express a professional opinion only when it the professional opinion is founded on adequate knowledge of established facts at issue and based on a background of technical competence in the subject matter.

6. Shall not knowingly misrepresent factual information in expressing a professional opinion.

7. Shall immediately notify the client or employer and the appropriate regulatory agency if the certificate holder's professional judgment is overruled and not adhered to when advising appropriate parties of any circumstances of a substantial threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.

8. 7. Shall exercise reasonable care when rendering professional services and shall apply the technical knowledge, skill, and terminology ordinarily applied by practicing wetland professionals.

9. Shall sign and date all plans, drawings, blueprints, surveys, reports, specifications, maps, or other documents prepared or reviewed and approved by the certificate holder. The certified professional wetland delineator shall also indicate that he is a Virginia certified professional wetland delineator on all plans, drawings, blueprints, surveys, reports, specifications, maps, or other documents prepared or reviewed and approved by the certificate holder and include his certificate number.

10. 8. Shall not utilize the design, drawings, specifications, or work of another regulant to complete or to replicate any work without the written consent of the person who or organization that owns the design, drawings, specifications, or work.

18VAC145-30-160. Change of address.

A certificate holder [ shall keep the department informed of ] his [ the certificate holder's current mailing address. Change must report any change ] of address [ shall be reported ] to the department in writing within 30 calendar days of the change.

[ FORMS (18VAC145-30)

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 Wetland Delineator Certification Application, A439-3402CERT-v3 (rev. 11/2025)

Professional Wetland Delineator Experience Log, A439-3402EXP-v3 (rev. 11/2025)

Professional Wetland Delineator Reference Form, A439-3402REF-v2 (rev. 11/2025)

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