Part VI. Standards of Practice and Conduct
18VAC160-30-290. Grounds for disciplinary action.
The board may place a licensee on probation in accordance with § 54.1-201 A 7 of the Code of Virginia; impose a monetary penalty in accordance with § 54.1-202 A of the Code of Virginia; or revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew any license when the licensee has been found to have violated or cooperated with others in violating any provision of the regulations of the board or Chapter 23 (§ 54.1-2300 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
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 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-300. Maintenance of license.
A. No license issued by the board may be assigned or otherwise transferred.
B. A licensee must report, in writing, to the board any change of the following:
1. The licensee's legal name. Such report must be accompanied by documentation acceptable to the board that verifies the name change.
2. The licensee's address, to include the physical address when applicable.
C. A change of name or address must be reported to the board within 60 days of the change. The board is not responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices, communications, and correspondence caused by the licensee's failure to report to the board any change of name or address.
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 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-310. Notice of adverse action.
A. A licensee must notify the board of the following actions against the licensee:
1. Any disciplinary action taken by any jurisdiction, board, or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, including any reprimand, revocation, suspension, or denial of a license, certificate, or registration; imposition of a monetary penalty; requirement to take remedial education; or other corrective action.
2. Any voluntary surrendering of a license, certificate, or registration done in connection with a disciplinary action taken by any jurisdiction, board, or administrative body.
3. Any conviction, finding of guilt, or plea of guilty, regardless of adjudication or deferred adjudication, in any jurisdiction of the United States of any (i) misdemeanor involving lying, cheating, or stealing, except marijuana convictions, or (ii) felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having lapsed. Review of convictions will be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
B. The notice must be given to the board in writing within 30 days of the action. A copy of the order or other supporting documentation must accompany the notice.
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 38, Issue 6, eff. December 8, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-320. Prohibited acts.
The following acts are prohibited and any violation may result in disciplinary action by the board:
1. Violating, inducing another to violate, cooperating with another to violate, or combining or conspiring with or acting as agent, partner, or associate for another to violate any of the provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.), 2 (§ 54.1-200 et seq.), 3 (§ 54.1-300 et seq.), or 23 (§ 54.1-2300 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, or any of the regulations of the board.
2. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license by false or fraudulent representation or maintaining, renewing, or reinstating a license by false or fraudulent representation.
3. Failing to report a change as required by 18VAC160-30-300.
4. A licensee having been convicted or found guilty in any jurisdiction or disciplined by any jurisdiction, board, or administrative body in any jurisdiction of any offense or violation enumerated in 18VAC160-30-310. Review of convictions will be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.
5. Failing to inform the board in writing within 30 days that the licensee was convicted, found guilty in any jurisdiction, or disciplined by any jurisdiction, board, or administrative body of any offense or violation enumerated in 18VAC160-30-310.
6. Actions constituting negligence, misconduct, or incompetence in the practice of the profession, including:
a. Having undertaken to perform or having performed a professional assignment that the licensee is not qualified to perform by education, experience, or training.
b. Not demonstrating reasonable care, judgment, or application of the required knowledge, skill, and ability in the performance of the licensee's duties.
c. Failing to adequately supervise and review work performed by licensed or unlicensed employees under direct supervision of the licensee.
d. Failing to act in providing waterworks and wastewater works operator services in a manner that safeguards the interests of the public.
7. Actions constituting improper, fraudulent, or dishonest conduct, including:
a. Making any misrepresentation or engaging in acts of fraud or deceit when providing professional services.
b. Submitting or recording or assisting another in the submission or recording of false or misleading operational information relating to the performance and monitoring requirements of a waterworks or wastewater works.
c. Allowing a license issued by the board to be used by another.
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 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-330. Conflicts of interest.
The licensee must:
1. Promptly and fully inform an employer or client of any business association, interest, or circumstance that may influence the licensee's judgment or the quality of service.
2. Not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one party for services on or pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed to and agreed to by all interested parties in writing.
3. Neither solicit nor accept financial or other valuable consideration from material or equipment suppliers for specifying their products or services, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties in writing.
4. Not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors or their agents or other parties dealing with a client or employer in connection with work for which the licensee is responsible, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties in writing.
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 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-340. Licensee responsibility.
A. The primary obligation of the licensee is to the public. If the licensee's judgment is overruled and not adhered to when advising appropriate parties of circumstances of a substantial threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, the licensee must inform the employer or client, as applicable, of the possible consequences and notify appropriate authorities.
B. The licensee will not knowingly associate in a business venture with, or permit the use of the licensee's name by, any person where there is reason to believe that person is engaging in activity of a fraudulent or dishonest nature or is violating any law or regulation of the board.
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 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-350. Response to inquiry and provision of records.
A. A licensee must respond within 10 days to a request by the board or any of its agents regarding any complaint filed with the department.
B. Unless otherwise specified by the board, a licensee of the board must produce to the board or any of its agents within 10 days of the request any document, book, or record concerning any transaction pertaining to a complaint filed in which the licensee was involved or for which the licensee is required to maintain records. The board may extend such timeframe upon a showing of extenuating circumstances prohibiting delivery within such 10-day period.
C. A licensee must not provide a false, misleading, or incomplete response to the board or any of its agents seeking information in the investigation of a complaint filed with the board.
D. With the exception of the requirements of subsections A and B of this section, a licensee must respond to an inquiry by the board or its agent within 21 days.
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 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-360. Wastewater works.
A. A Class 4 wastewater works licensee may operate any wastewater works classified under the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) as a Class IV treatment works or any other wastewater works classified by DEQ or VDH as a Class IV or Class 4 wastewater works.
B. A Class 3 wastewater works licensee may operate any wastewater works classified under the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations as a Class III or Class IV treatment works or any wastewater works classified by DEQ or VDH as a Class III or Class IV or Class 3 or Class 4 wastewater works facility.
C. A Class 2 wastewater works licensee may operate any wastewater works classified under the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations as a Class II, Class III, or Class IV treatment works or any wastewater works classified by DEQ or VDH as a Class II, Class III, or Class IV or Class 2, Class 3, or Class 4 wastewater works.
D. A Class 1 wastewater works licensee may operate any wastewater works classified under the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations as a Class I, Class II, Class III, or Class IV treatment works or any wastewater works classified by DEQ or VDH as a Class I, Class II, Class III, or Class IV or Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, or Class 4 wastewater works.
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; Errata, 33:15 VA.R. 1905 March 20, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-370. Waterworks.
A. A Class 6 waterworks licensee may operate any waterworks classified under the VDH Waterworks Regulations (12VAC5-590) as a Class 6 waterworks or any waterworks classified by VDH as a Class 6 waterworks.
B. A Class 5 waterworks licensee may operate any waterworks classified under the VDH Waterworks Regulations as a Class 5 or Class 6 waterworks or any waterworks classified by VDH as a Class 5 or Class 6 waterworks.
C. A Class 4 waterworks licensee may operate any waterworks classified under the VDH Waterworks Regulations as a Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 waterworks or any waterworks classified by VDH as a Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 waterworks.
D. A Class 3 waterworks licensee may operate any waterworks classified under the VDH Waterworks Regulations as a Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 waterworks or any waterworks classified by VDH as a Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 waterworks.
E. A Class 2 waterworks licensee may operate any waterworks classified under the VDH Waterworks Regulations as a Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 waterworks or any waterworks classified by the VDH as a Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 waterworks.
F. A Class 1 waterworks licensee may operate any waterworks classified under the VDH Waterworks Regulations as a Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, or Class 6 waterworks or any waterworks classified by VDH as a Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, Class 6 waterworks.
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 8, eff. January 16, 2026.