Section 96. Qualifications for licensure - onsite soil evaluators

A. Each applicant shall make application in accordance with 18VAC160-20-76 and shall meet the specific entry requirements provided for in this section.

B. Each applicant holding a valid interim onsite soil evaluator license shall submit documentation of compliance with the continuing professional education requirements provided for in this chapter at the time of application.

C. Specific entry requirements.

1. Conventional onsite soil evaluator. Each individual applying for an initial conventional onsite soil evaluator license shall pass a board-approved examination and shall have a valid interim onsite soil evaluator license or meet one of the following requirements:

a. Possess a valid certificate as a Virginia certified professional soil scientist from the Board for Professional Soil Scientists and Wetland Professionals and one year of full-time onsite soil evaluation and conventional onsite sewage system design experience;

b. Possess a bachelor's degree with a major in soil science, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, agronomy, earth science, or environmental health and have two years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions and designing conventional onsite sewage systems in compliance with this chapter under the direct supervision of any of the following:

(1) An authorized onsite soil evaluator certified by VDH before July 1, 2009;

(2) An interim licensed onsite soil evaluator;

(3) A licensed conventional onsite soil evaluator; or

(4) A licensed alternative onsite soil evaluator;

c. Possess a bachelor's degree with a major in soil science, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geology, agronomy, earth science, or environmental health and have two years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions and designing conventional onsite sewage systems in compliance with this chapter as a VDH employee prior to July 1, 2009;

d. Possess an associate's degree in waterworks, wastewater works, environmental science, or engineering technology and have three years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions and designing conventional onsite sewage systems in compliance with this chapter under the direct supervision of any of the following:

(1) An authorized onsite soil evaluator certified by VDH before July 1, 2009;

(2) An interim licensed onsite soil evaluator;

(3) A licensed conventional onsite soil evaluator; or

(4) A licensed alternative onsite soil evaluator;

e. Possess an associate's degree in waterworks, wastewater works, environmental science, or engineering technology and have three years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions and designing conventional onsite sewage systems in compliance with this chapter as a VDH employee prior to July 1, 2009;

f. Have satisfactorily completed the VDH onsite sewage system training program and have four years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions and designing conventional onsite sewage systems in compliance with this chapter under the direct supervision of any of the following:

(1) An authorized onsite soil evaluator certified by VDH before July 1, 2009;

(2) An interim licensed onsite soil evaluator;

(3) A licensed conventional onsite soil evaluator; or

(4) A licensed alternative onsite soil evaluator;

g. Have eight years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions and designing conventional onsite sewage systems in compliance with this chapter under the direct supervision of any of the following:

(1) An authorized onsite soil evaluator certified by VDH before July 1, 2009;

(2) An interim licensed onsite soil evaluator;

(3) A licensed conventional onsite soil evaluator; or

(4) A licensed alternative onsite soil evaluator; or

h. Have eight years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions and designing conventional onsite sewage systems in compliance with this chapter as an employee of VDH prior to July 1, 2009.

2. Alternative onsite soil evaluator. Each individual applying for an initial alternative onsite soil evaluator license shall possess a valid interim onsite soil evaluator license or a valid conventional onsite soil evaluator license, pass a board-approved examination, and meet one of the following requirements:

a. Have two years of full-time experience in evaluating soils and designing alternative onsite sewage systems obtained during the last four years under the direct supervision of either an authorized onsite soil evaluator certified by VDH before July 1, 2009, a currently licensed interim onsite soil evaluator, or a currently licensed alternative onsite soil evaluator;

b. Have two years of full-time experience in evaluating soils and designing onsite sewage systems, including the review of alternative onsite sewage system designs, as either an employee of VDH or a local government;

c. Have three years of full-time experience as an authorized onsite soil evaluator certified by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), regardless of the date of certification expiration, and evidence of completing the soil evaluation and system design work on a total of at least 36 onsite sewage systems (12 of which must be alternative systems approved by the VDH through the issuance of a permit or a certification); or

d. Have four years of full-time experience as an authorized onsite soil evaluator certified by VDH (regardless of the date of expiration), an interim onsite soil evaluator licensee, a conventional onsite soil evaluator licensee, an employee of VDH (whose duties included onsite soil evaluation and onsite septic system design prior to July 1, 2009), or any combination thereof.

D. Education and training substitution. Each individual applying for a conventional or an alternative onsite soil evaluator license may receive credit for up to half of the experience required by this section for:

1. Satisfactory completion of postsecondary courses in wastewater, biology, chemistry, geology, hydraulics, hydrogeology, or soil science at the rate of one month per semester hour or two-thirds of a month per quarter hour; or

2. Satisfactory completion of board-approved onsite soil evaluator training courses at the rate of one month for each training credit earned. Up to one training credit is awarded for each 10 hours of classroom contact time or for each 20 hours of laboratory exercise and field trip contact time. No credit towards training credits is granted for breaks, meals, receptions, and time other than classroom, laboratory and field trip contact time.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 25, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.