Part II. Entry
18VAC160-40-20. Application procedures.
A. All applicants seeking licensure must submit an application with the appropriate fee in 18VAC160-40-40. Applications will be made on forms provided by the board or the board's agent.
1. By submitting the application form and fee to the department, the applicant certifies that the applicant has read and understands the applicable statutes and the board's regulations.
2. The receipt of an application and the deposit of fees by the board does not indicate approval of the application by the board.
B. The board may make further inquiries and investigations with respect to the applicant's qualifications to confirm or amplify information supplied. All applications must be completed in accordance with the instructions contained in this section and on the application. Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are received by the board. If an examination is required for licensure, the applicant will not be permitted to sit for the applicable board-approved examination until the application is complete and approved.
C. The applicant will be notified within 30 days of the board's receipt of an initial application if the application is incomplete. An individual who fails to complete the process within 12 months of receipt of the application in the board's office must submit a new application. If applicable, the applicant has 24 months from approval of the application to pass the board-approved examination. Failure to pass the board-approved examination within 24 months of approval will result in the applicant being required to submit a new application to be considered for licensure.
D. The applicant must immediately report all changes in information supplied with the application, if applicable, prior to the issuance of the license or expiration of the application or examination period.
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.
18VAC160-40-30. General fee requirements.
All fees are nonrefundable and will not be prorated. The date on which the fee is received by the department or the department's agent will determine whether the fee is on time.
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.
18VAC160-40-40. Fee schedule.
Fees for an onsite sewage system professional license are as provided in this section.
Fee Type | Fee Amount | When Due |
Initial application (for each profession, class, and category of license) | $100 | With application |
Renewal (for each profession, class, and category of license) | $80 | With renewal application |
Reinstatement (for each profession, class, and category of license) | $105 (renewal fee + $25 reinstatement fee) | With reinstatement application |
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 34, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 42, Issue 7, eff. December 17, 2025.
18VAC160-40-50. Examination fee.
The fees for all examinations are subject to charges to the department by an outside vendor based on a contract entered into 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.
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.
18VAC160-40-60. General requirements for licensure.
A. In addition to the specific qualifications for each profession, class, and category of licensure, each applicant for licensure must meet the requirements provided in this section.
B. The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
C. The applicant must provide an address, which will serve as the address of record. A post office box is only acceptable as the address of record when a physical address is also provided.
D. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose the following information:
1. All felony convictions that occurred within 20 years of the date of application.
2. All misdemeanor convictions involving lying, cheating, or stealing that occurred within three years of the date of application.
The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. The applicant has the right to request further review of any such action by the board under the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
E. The applicant must report any action taken by any board or administrative body in any jurisdiction against a professional or occupational license, certification, or registration issued to the applicant, to include any suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license, certification, or registration, imposition of a monetary penalty, or requirement to take remedial education or other corrective action. The board in its discretion may deny licensure to any applicant for any prior action taken by any board or administrative body in any jurisdiction. The applicant has the right to request further review of any such action by the board under the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
F. The applicant for licensure must be in compliance with the standards of conduct and practice set forth in Part IX (18VAC160-40-440 et seq.) of this chapter at the time of application, while the application is under review by the board, and at all times when the license is in effect.
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 7, eff. December 17, 2025.
18VAC160-40-70. Education and training for experience.
A. Each individual applying for a license may receive credit for up to half of the required experience for:
1. Satisfactory completion of postsecondary courses in wastewater, biology, chemistry, geology, hydraulics, hydrogeology, engineering, environmental science, agronomy, earth science, environmental health, or soil science at the rate of one month per semester hour or two-thirds of a month per quarter hour; or
2. Satisfactory completion of board-approved onsite sewage system installer, onsite sewage system operator, or onsite soil evaluation training courses. Up to one training credit will be awarded for each 10 hours of classroom contact time or for each 20 hours of laboratory exercises and field trip contact time. Training credit will not be earned for breaks, meals, or receptions. A training credit awarded is equivalent to one month of experience.
B. Education used to meet the education requirements to qualify for licensure may not be substituted for experience.
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.
18VAC160-40-80. Examination procedures and conduct.
A. In those instances where an applicant is required to take an examination for licensure, the board will notify the applicant of the applicant's eligibility to take the applicable examination upon approval of the application.
B. An applicant who does not receive a passing score within 24 months after the date of approval of the application by the board to sit for the examination must submit a new application and meet entry requirements in effect at the time of the submittal of the new application.
C. The applicant must follow all rules established by the board with regard to conduct at the examination. Such rules will include written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and instructions communicated at the site on the date of the examination. Failure to comply with all rules established by the board and the testing organization with regard to conduct at the examination will be grounds for denial of the application, voiding of examination scores, or any combination thereof.
D. A passing examination score received by an applicant is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of the examination.
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.
18VAC160-40-90. Individuals certified or licensed in another jurisdiction.
Any applicant holding an active, current license or certificate in another jurisdiction must meet the requirements of this chapter, including having equivalent experience and education. The applicant must pass the appropriate board-approved examination to become licensed in those instances where an examination for licensure is required.
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.
18VAC160-40-100. Full-time experience or equivalent.
For the purpose of this chapter, experience requirements are expressed in terms of calendar periods of full-time employment as an operator, installer, or onsite soil evaluator in the same class for which licensure is sought.
1. A year of full-time employment is defined as a minimum of 1,760 hours during a 12-month period or a minimum of 220 workdays in a 12-month period. A workday is defined as performing or assisting in the duties of an installer, operator, or onsite soil evaluator to the extent required for the proper installation or maintenance of onsite sewage systems or the evaluation of soil and soil properties for suitability as locations for onsite sewage systems. More than 1,760 hours or 220 workdays during a 12-month period will not be considered as more than one year of full-time employment.
2. Partial credit may be given for actual hours of work experience if the applicant works less than full time.
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.
18VAC160-40-105. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2017; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 7, eff. December 17, 2025.