Part I. General
18VAC145-40-10. Definitions.
A. Section 54.1-2200 of the Code of Virginia provides definitions of the following terms and phrases as used in this chapter:
Board
Geologist
Geology
Practice of geology
Qualified geologist
Virginia certified professional geologist
B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department" means Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
"Geological mapping" means the process of creating a map on which is recorded geological information, such as the distribution, nature, and age of relationships of rock units, in which surficial deposits may or may not be mapped separately, and the occurrence of structural features such as folds, faults, and joints; mineral deposits; and fossil localities. "Geological mapping" may indicate geologic structure by means of formational outcrop patterns, by conventional symbols giving the direction and amount of dip at certain points, or by structure-contour lines.
"Geologist-in-Training" or "GIT" means an individual who has completed the academic requirements specified in this chapter and has passed the Fundamentals of Geology examination, but has not met all requirements to qualify as a Virginia certified professional geologist.
"Related geological science degree" means a degree that includes 30 semester hours of courses in the geosciences, including 12 or more semester hours from at least four of the following disciplines: stratigraphy, structural geology, hydrogeology, mineralogy, petrology, geomorphology, and field geology.
"Responsible charge" means the direct control and supervision of the practice of geology.
"Supervision" means quality control review of all significant data collection, interpretation, and conclusions.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-10 derived from VR335-01-2 § 1.1, eff. February 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 7, Issue 13, eff. April 24, 1991; Volume 11, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 1995; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-10, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; amended, Volume 29, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2024; Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.
18VAC145-40-20. Fees.
All fees for application, examination, renewal, and reinstatement will be established by the board pursuant to § 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia. All fees are nonrefundable and will not be prorated.
1. The application fee for certification will be $110.
2. The fee for renewal of certification will be $90.
3. The application fee for the Geologist-in-Training (GIT) designation 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 will be $50 in addition to the renewal fee.
6. The reinstatement fee will be $125.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-30 derived from VR335-01-2 § 1.3, eff. February 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 7, Issue 13, eff. April 24, 1991; Volume 11, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 1999; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. November 1, 2006; Volume 27, Issue 12, April 1, 2011; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-20, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 41, Issue 22, eff. August 1, 2025.
18VAC145-40-30. Expiration, renewal and fee of certificate holders.
A. Certificates issued under this chapter will expire on August 31 of the odd-numbered year following the date of issuance. Certificate holders will be notified of the fee and the procedure for certificate renewal at least 45 days before the certificate expires. Each certificate holder desiring to renew a certificate must submit the renewal notice with the appropriate fee before the certificate expires.
B. There will be a penalty fee for late renewal assessed in addition to the renewal fee for any certificate holder failing to renew the certificate within 30 days following the date of expiration.
C. Failure to receive written notice from the department does not relieve the regulant from the requirement to renew the certificate. If the certificate holder fails to receive the renewal notice, a copy of the certificate may be submitted with the required fee.
D. The date a fee is received by the department or its agent will be used to determine whether a penalty fee or the requirement for reinstatement of a certificate is applicable.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-40 derived from VR335-01-2 § 1.4, eff. February 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 7, Issue 13, eff. April 24, 1991; Volume 11, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 1995; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-30, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.
18VAC145-40-40. Reinstatements.
If the certificate holder fails to renew the certificate within six months following the expiration date, the certificate holder will be required to apply for reinstatement of the certificate. The board may grant reinstatement of the certificate, or require requalification or reexamination, or both. The application fee for reinstatement of a certificate shall be the amount established in 18VAC145-40-20.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.Former 18VAC70-20-50 derived from VR335-01-2 § 1.5, eff. February 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 7, Issue 13, eff. April 24, 1991; Volume 11, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 1995; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. November 1, 2006; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-40, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012.
18VAC145-40-50. Status of certification during the period prior to reinstatement.
A. Reinstated certifications shall continue to have the same certification number and shall expire on August 31 of the odd-numbered year following the date of reinstatement.
B. Reinstated certifications shall be regarded as having been continuously licensed without interruption. Therefore, the holder of the reinstated certification shall remain under the disciplinary authority of the board during this entire period and may be held accountable for his activities during this period.
C. Certifications which are not renewed or reinstated shall be regarded as expired from the date of the expiration forward.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.Former 18VAC70-20-60 derived from VR335-01-2 § 1.6, eff. February 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 7, Issue 13, eff. April 24, 1991; Volume 11, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 1995; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-50, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012.
18VAC145-40-60. Use of seal.
A certified professional geologist may apply a rubber stamp or preprinted seal to final and complete cover sheets and to each original sheet of plans or drawings prepared or reviewed and approved by the regulant. The seal may be applied to the cover sheet of technical reports and specifications prepared or reviewed and approved by the regulant.
1. All seal imprints on final documents must be signed.
2. Application of the seal and signature indicates acceptance of responsibility for work shown thereon.
3. The original seal must be two inches in diameter and conform to the design illustrated in this subdivision.
*The number on the seal is the last four digits of the certificate number.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20- derived from VR335-01-2 § 1.7, eff. February 1, 1988; amended, Virginia Register Volume 7, Issue 13, eff. April 24, 1991; Volume 11, Issue 6, eff. February 1, 1995; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.