Part IX. Standards of Practice and Conduct
18VAC160-40-440. Grounds for disciplinary action.
The board may place a licensee on probation; impose a monetary penalty in accordance in § 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.
18VAC160-40-450. Maintenance of license.
A. No license issued by the board shall be assigned or otherwise transferred.
B. A licensee shall report, in writing, all changes of the address of record and name to the board within 30 days of the change and shall return the license to the board. In addition to the address of record, a physical address is required for each license. If the licensee holds more than one license, the licensee shall inform the board of all licenses, certificates, and registrations affected by the name or address change. The board shall not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices or correspondence due to the licensee's failure to report a change of name or address.
C. Any change in any of the requirements and qualifications for licensure found in Part II (18VAC160-40-20 et seq.), III (18VAC160-40-110 et seq.), or IV (18VAC160-40-170 et seq.) of this chapter shall be reported to the board within 30 days of the change.
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.
18VAC160-40-460. Notice of adverse action.
A. Licensees shall 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, license or certificate revocation, suspension or denial, monetary penalty, requirement for remedial education, or other corrective action.
2. Any voluntary surrendering of a related license, certificate, or registration done in connection with a disciplinary action in another jurisdiction.
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 misdemeanor involving lying, cheating, stealing, sexual offense, non-marijuana drug distribution, physical injury, or relating to the practice of the profession or of any felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having lapsed. Review of convictions shall be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purpose of this section.
B. Notices to the board must be made in writing within 30 days of the action. A copy of the order or other supporting documentation must accompany the notice. The record of conviction finding or case decision shall be considered prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt.
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.
18VAC160-40-470. 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.), 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. Allowing a license issued by the board to be used by another.
3. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license by false or fraudulent representation, or maintaining or renewing a license by false or fraudulent representation.
4. A licensee having been convicted, found guilty, or disciplined in any jurisdiction of any offense or violation enumerated in 18VAC160-40-460. Review of convictions shall 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 or found guilty or disciplined in any jurisdiction of any offense or violation enumerated in 18VAC160-40-460.
6. Not demonstrating reasonable care, judgment, or application of the required knowledge, skill, and ability in the performance of the licensee's duties.
7. Having undertaken to perform or performed a professional assignment that the licensee is not qualified to perform by education, experience, training, appropriate class or category of licensure, or any combination thereof.
8. Failing to report a change as required by 18VAC160-40-450.
9. Negligence, misconduct, or incompetence in the practice of the profession.
10. Making any misrepresentation or engaging in acts of fraud or deceit in advertising, soliciting, or in providing professional services.
11. Failing to adequately supervise and review work performed by unlicensed employees or journeyman licensees under the direct supervision of the master licensee.
12. Failure to obtain any permit, approval, or other document required by VDH related to the design, installation, repair, or operation of an onsite sewage system.
13. Knowingly signing plans, drawings, reports, specifications, maps, or other documents related to an onsite sewage system not prepared or reviewed and approved by the licensee.
14. Knowingly misrepresenting factual information in expressing a professional opinion.
15. Failing to act in providing professional services in a manner that safeguards the interests of the public.
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.
18VAC160-40-480. Conflicts of interest.
The licensee shall:
1. Promptly and fully inform an employer or client of any interest, circumstance, or business association that may influence the licensee's judgment of 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.
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.
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.
18VAC160-40-490. 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 shall inform the employer and client, as applicable, of the possible consequences and notify appropriate authorities.
B. The licensee shall sign, date, and include his license number on all final work products prepared or reviewed and approved by the licensee. For work products performed by a journeyman licensee, the master licensee providing direct supervision shall sign, date, and include his license number, along with the journeyman's signature, date, and license number on the final work product. A journeyman licensee shall not submit a work project as final without the applicable master licensee's signature, date, and license number.
C. The licensee shall not knowingly associate in a business venture with, or permit the use of the licensee's name by, any person or firm where there is reason to believe that person or firm is engaging in activity of a fraudulent or dishonest nature or is violating any law or regulation of the board.
D. A licensee who has direct knowledge that another individual or firm may be violating any of the provisions of this chapter or the provisions of Chapter 23 (§ 54.1-2300 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia shall immediately inform the board in writing and shall cooperate in furnishing any further information or assistance that may be required.
E. Except as provided in subsection F of this section, a licensee shall not utilize the evaluations, design, drawings, or work of another licensee without the knowledge and written consent of the licensee or organization of ownership that originated the design, drawings, or work.
F. A licensee who relies on information in VDH files or has received permission to modify or otherwise utilize the evaluation, design, drawings, or work of another licensee pursuant to subsection E of this section or this subsection may certify that work only after a thorough review of the evaluation, design, drawings or work and after he determines that he is willing to assume full responsibility for all design, drawings, or work on which he relies for his opinion.
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.
18VAC160-40-500. 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 shall 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 shall 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 subsection A or 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.
18VAC160-40-510. Master licensee's professional responsibilities.
A. Any work performed by a journeyman regulated pursuant to Chapter 23 (§ 54.1-2300 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter shall be under the direct supervision of the master. Such master and journeyman shall have an employment or written contractual relationship.
B. Each master shall maintain documentation of the employment or contractual relationship with each journeyman under the master's direct supervision. Such documentation shall be kept for a minimum of five years and shall include, at a minimum, the beginning and ending dates of the employment or contractual relationship.
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.