Part II. Entry
18VAC145-40-70. Qualifications for certification.
A. Each applicant for certification as a certified professional geologist in Virginia shall:
1. Make application on forms provided by the board;
2. Be of ethical character;
3. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, engineering geology, geological engineering or a related geological science. In the absence of one of the aforementioned degrees, each applicant shall provide evidence of the satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours (or the equivalent) of geological science courses including, but not limited to, the following subjects:
a. Stratigraphy;
b. Structural geology;
c. Mineralogy;
d. Paleontology;
e. Petrology;
f. Geomorphology; and
g. Field geology.
At least 12 semester hours must have been completed in four of the seven subjects listed in this subsection.
4. Provide the board with written documentation that demonstrates that the courses satisfactorily completed by the applicant are equivalent to those required by this section.
5. Have at least seven years of geological work that shall include either a minimum of three years of geological work under the supervision of a qualified or certified professional geologist, or a minimum of three years of experience in responsible charge of geological work. The work shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following areas:
a. Mineralogy.
(1) Identify and classify major rock types.
(2) Identify mineral assemblages.
(3) Determine probable genesis and sequence of mineral assemblages.
(4) Identify minerals on the basis of chemical composition.
(5) Predict subsurface mineral characteristics on the basis of exposures and drillholes.
b. Petrography/petrology.
(1) Identify and classify major rock types.
(2) Determine physical properties of rocks.
(3) Determine chemical properties of rocks.
(4) Determine types or degrees of rock alteration.
(5) Determine suites of rock types.
c. Geochemistry.
(1) Establish analytical objectives and approaches.
(2) Evaluate geochemical data.
(3) Construct models based on results of geochemical analysis.
(4) Make recommendations based upon results of geochemical analyses.
d. Hydrogeology.
(1) Design and interpret hydrologic testing programs.
(2) Utilize chemical data to evaluate hydrogeologic conditions.
(3) Apply geophysical methods to analyze hydrogeologic conditions.
(4) Determine physical and chemical properties of aquifers and vadose zones.
(5) Determine groundwater flow systems.
(6) Evaluate groundwater resources.
(7) Evaluate groundwater quality.
(8) Design wells and drilling programs.
(9) Develop groundwater resource management plans.
(10) Plan and evaluate remedial action programs.
e. Engineering geology.
(1) Provide geological information and interpretations for engineering design.
(2) Identify and evaluate potential seismic and other geologic hazards.
(3) Provide geologic consultation during and after construction.
(4) Develop and interpret engineering geology maps and sections.
(5) Evaluate materials resources.
(6) Define and establish site selection and evaluation criteria.
(7) Design and implement field and laboratory programs.
(8) Describe and sample soils for geologic analysis and materials properties testing.
f. Mining geology.
(1) Formulate exploration programs.
(2) Implement field investigations on prospects.
(3) Perform geologic interpretations for mineral reserves.
(4) Perform economic analyses/appraisals.
(5) Provide geologic interpretations for mine development and production activities.
(6) Provide geologic interpretations for mine abandonments, closures, or restorations.
g. Petroleum geology.
(1) Formulate exploration programs.
(2) Implement field investigations on prospects.
(3) Perform geologic interpretations of physical properties and hydrocarbon reserves.
(4) Perform petroleum economic analyses/appraisals.
(5) Provide geologic interpretations for development and production activities.
(6) Provide geologic interpretations for abandonments, closures, or restorations.
B. Each year of full-time undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one-half year of experience up to a maximum of two years, and each year of full-time graduate study shall count as a year of experience up to a maximum of three years. Credit for undergraduate and graduate study shall in no case exceed a total of four years toward meeting the requirements for at least seven years of geological work. The board may consider in lieu of the above-described geological work, the cumulative total of geological work or geological research of persons occupying research or post-graduate positions as well as those teaching geology courses at the college or university level, provided such work or research can be demonstrated to be of a sufficiently responsible nature to be equivalent to the geological work required above.
C. A year of full-time employment is a minimum of 1,760 hours or 220 workdays in a 12-month period. More than 1,760 hours or 220 workdays during a 12-month period shall not be considered as more than one year of full-time experience. Partial credit may be given for actual hours of work or workdays experience if the applicant works as a geologist less than full time.
D. Each applicant shall successfully pass an appropriate examination approved by the board and designed to demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skill to exercise the responsibilities of the public practice of geology.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.Former 18VAC70-20-80 derived from VR335-01-2 § 2.1, 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 18VAC145-40-70, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012.
18VAC145-40-80. Waiver of examination.
The board may waive the examination requirement for any applicant who makes written application, otherwise meets the requirements of Chapter 22 (§ 54.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and also meets one of the following conditions:
1. Provides evidence of at least 12 years of geological work that includes the geological work as specified in 18VAC-145-40-70; or
2. Provides evidence of an unexpired certificate of registration, certification or license to engage in the practice of geology issued on the basis of comparable requirements by a proper authority of a state, territory or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.Former 18VAC70-20-90 derived from VR335-01-2 § 2.2, 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 18VAC145-40-80, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012.
18VAC145-40-83. Qualifications for the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination.
The board may approve applicants to sit for the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination without having met the experience requirements of 18VAC145-40-70. The applicant shall submit an application on forms provided by the board, pay the fee established in 18VAC145-40-20, and satisfy one of the following requirements:
1. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science and provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the degree program.
2. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major other than geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science and satisfactorily completed at least 30 semester hours (or the equivalent) of geological science courses including, but not limited to, the following subjects:
a. Stratigraphy;
b. Structural geology;
c. Mineralogy;
d. Paleontology;
e. Petrology;
f. Geomorphology; and
g. Field geology.
At least 12 of the 30 semester hours of geological science courses must have been completed in four of the seven subjects listed in this subsection. The applicant shall provide an official college transcript and written documentation that demonstrates the courses satisfactorily completed are equivalent to those required by this section.
3. Be enrolled in an undergraduate geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science curriculum of at least four years at an accredited college or university and be within 12 months of completing undergraduate degree requirements. The applicant shall provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of course work.
4. Be enrolled in a graduate geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science curriculum at an accredited college or university and be within six months of completing graduate degree requirements. The applicant shall provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of course work.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2013.
18VAC145-40-85. Qualifications for Geologist-in-Training (GIT) designation.
A. To be eligible to obtain the GIT designation, each applicant shall:
1. Make application on forms provided by the board;
2. Be of ethical character;
3. Have achieved a passing score on a board-approved Fundamentals of Geology examination;
4. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science; or
5. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major other than geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science and have satisfactorily completed at least 30 semester hours (or the equivalent) of geological science courses including, but not limited to, the following subjects: stratigraphy, structural geology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, geomorphology, and field geology. At least 12 of the 30 semester hours of geological science courses must have been completed in four of the seven subjects listed in this subsection.
B. Prior to obtaining the designation of GIT, an applicant who qualified to sit for a board-approved Fundamentals of Geology examination under subdivision 3 or 4 of 18VAC145-40-83 and passed the examination must provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the degree program.
C. The designation of GIT will remain valid until the individual meets all requirements for certification as a Virginia certified professional geologist.
D. The designation of GIT does not give an individual the authority to practice as a certified professional geologist. An individual may not practice as a certified professional geologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia until his competence has been attested by the board through certification.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2013.