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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 160. Board For Waterworks And Wastewater Works Operators And Onsite Sewage System Professionals
Chapter 40. Onsite Sewage System Professionals Licensing Regulations
12/24/2025

18VAC160-40-170. License required.

A. No individual may operate or maintain a conventional or alternative onsite sewage system without a valid onsite sewage system operator license issued by the board in the appropriate class.

B. A journeyman onsite sewage system operator must work under the direct supervision of a licensed master onsite sewage system operator with the appropriate class of license. A master onsite sewage system operator is responsible for supervising the operation and maintenance of the onsite sewage system by any journeyman onsite sewage system operator under the master onsite sewage system operator's responsibility. A master alternative onsite sewage system operator licensee may supervise a journeyman conventional onsite sewage system operator licensee.

C. An alternative onsite sewage system that exceeds 10,000 gallons per day design flow must have operations and maintenance performed by either (i) an individual who is licensed as both an alternative onsite sewage system operator and a Class 4 or higher wastewater works operator or (ii) an individual who is licensed as an alternative onsite sewage system operator and an individual who is licensed as a Class 4 or higher wastewater works operator who are working together pursuant to an employment relationship, contract, or other written agreement.

Statutory Authority

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

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 7, eff. December 17, 2025.

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