Virginia Administrative Code › Title 18 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING › Agency 145 - BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS, WETLAND PROFESSIONALS, ANDGEOLOGISTS › Chapter 40 - REGULATIONS FOR THE GEOLOGY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM › Part II - Entry › Section 18VAC145-40-70 - Qualifications for certification

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
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.