Part III. Standards of Practice and Conduct
18VAC145-40-90. Disclosure.
A certified professional geologist:
1. Must not submit any false statements or fail to disclose any facts requested concerning the geologist's or another's application for certification.
2. Must not engage in any fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation in advertising, soliciting, or providing professional services.
3. Must not knowingly sign, stamp, or seal any plans, drawings, blueprints, surveys, reports, specifications, or other documents not prepared or reviewed and approved by the certificate holder.
4. Must make full disclosure to all parties of any monetary, financial, or beneficial interest the geologist may have in any contract or entity providing goods or services, other than professional services, to a project or engagement.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-100 derived from VR335-01-2 § 3.1, 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 18VAC145-40-90, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.
18VAC145-40-100. Change of address or name.
Each certified professional geologist and geologist-in-training must notify the board, in writing, of any change of address or name. This notification must be sent to the board within 30 days after such change of address or name.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-105 derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2006; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-100, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.
18VAC145-40-110. Compliance with other laws.
A certified professional geologist:
1. Shall comply with all federal, state, and local building, fire, safety, real estate, or mining codes, as well as any other laws, codes, ordinances, or regulations pertaining to the practice of geology.
2. Shall not violate any state or federal criminal statute, including fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement, bribery, theft, forgery, or breach of fiduciary duty relating to his professional practice.
3. Shall immediately notify the client or employer and the appropriate regulatory agency if his professional judgment is overruled and not adhered to in circumstances of a serious threat to the public health, safety, or welfare. If appropriate remedial action is not taken within a reasonable amount of time after making the report, he shall notify the appropriate governmental authority of the specific nature of the public threat.
4. Shall give written notice to the board, and shall cooperate with the board and the department in furnishing any further information or assistance needed, if he knows or believes that another geologist/firm may be violating any of the provisions of Chapter 22 (§ 54.1-2200 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, or this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.Former 18VAC70-20-110 derived from VR335-01-2 § 3.2, 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 18VAC145-40-110, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012.
18VAC145-40-120. Conflicts of interest.
A certified professional geologist will not:
1. Accept any work on any project or other professional engagement when a duty to a client or to the public would conflict with the geologist's personal interest or the interest of another client, unless immediate disclosure of all material facts of the conflict is made to each client related to the project or engagement.
2. Accept compensation for services related to the same project or professional engagement from more than one party without making prior full disclosure to all parties involved.
3. Solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, agents of contractors, or other parties dealing with a client or employer in connection with work for which the regulant is responsible.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-120 derived from VR335-01-2 § 3.3, 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 18VAC145-40-120, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.
18VAC145-40-130. Competence for assignments.
A certified professional geologist:
1. Shall exercise reasonable care when rendering professional services and shall apply the technical knowledge and skills ordinarily applied by practicing geologists.
2. Shall not accept any professional assignment or engagement that he is not competent to perform by way of education, technical knowledge, or experience. An assignment requiring education or experience outside his field of competence may be accepted provided:
a. His professional services are restricted to those phases of the project in which he is qualified; and
b. All other phases of the project are performed by qualified associates, consultants, or employees.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-130 derived from VR335-01-2 § 3.4, 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 18VAC145-40-130, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012.
18VAC145-40-140. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-140 derived from VR335-01-2 § 3.5, 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; amended and renumbered as 18VAC145-40-140, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.
18VAC145-40-150. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Former 18VAC70-20-150 derived from VR335-01-2 § 3.6, 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 18VAC145-40-150, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 23, eff. August 15, 2012; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2025.