The Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists is composed of three professional soil scientists, three wetland delineators, three geologists, two citizen members, and the State Geologist.

Important Notices Concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19):

Visit dpor.virginia.gov/COVID-19 for the latest COVID-19 updates, including information about the revised Executive Order.

Please note: DPOR Offices at the Perimeter Center are closed to the public due to the public health emergency. No in-person customer service is available and visitors are not permitted to enter the building or drop off materials.

 

  • Go to: Most Requested Forms (address change, criminal conviction reporting, certification request, etc.) 

Applicants must read and understand the Board Regulations. Application fees are not refundable. 

DPOR Boards only accept the most recent versions of the applications provided below. DPOR Boards are not responsible for processing delays associated with forms that do not conform to this requirement.

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Professional Soil Scientists 

License Application (for NEW applicants)         No online option  Interactive Static
Experience Log  No online option  Interactive Static
Renewal Form No online option  Interactive Static


Wetland Delineators

Application for Certification                                No online option  Interactive Static
Experience Log  No online option  Interactive Static
Reference Form No online option  Interactive Static

  

Geologists

Core Requirements Information Sheet     Static
Application for Certification/Reinstatement No online option  Interactive Static
Geologist-In-Training Designation Application   No online option  Interactive Static
Experience Log No online option  Interactive Static

 

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

Statutes

Regulations

Pending regulatory action (proposed changes, public hearings, etc.)

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall provides access to the board's meeting schedule, agendas, and past meeting minutes.

Visit the Town Hall: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Meetings.cfm?BoardID=15

Soil Scientists and Wetland Delineators Exams | Geologist Exam 

Soil Scientists and Wetland Delineators

Applicants must obtain approval from the Board prior to taking the exam. 

Wetland Delineators Exam Applicants 
All individuals must wear face coverings to and during the exam. During the exam, physical distancing guidelines will be adhered to, along with enhanced sanitation and safety measures. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the DPOR Exams office at 804-367-8544 or exams@dpor.virginia.gov 

  SOIL SCIENTISTS  WETLAND DELINEATORS 
Exam Administrator  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) DPOR Examinations Section
Frequency and Dates of Exams  November 17, 2021, through November 23, 2021.  
April 2022 exact date TBD
February 5, 2021
August 20, 2021
Application and Fee Deadlines 

For November 2021 exam: 

  • Deadline September 18, 2021
  • Registration Period August 16, 2021, and closes October 8, 2021  

For April 2022 exam: 

  • Dates TBD 

For February 2021 exam: 

  • Application deadline is Nov. 7, 2020
  • Exam fee deadline is Jan. 5, 2021 
For August 2021 exam:
  • Application deadline is May 22, 2021
  • Exam fee deadline is July 20, 2021 
Application Fee  $90 application fee $90 application fee
Exam Fees  $248 for each exam  $150 
Exam Location  Internet based testing with remote proctoring Dept. of Professional & Occupational Regulation
Perimeter Center, Suite 400
9960 Mayland Drive
Richmond, VA 23233
Questions About Exam Scheduling or Registration? 

 Additional exam information is available here.

Only applicants approved by the Board should contact the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) at (608) 273-8085 or certification@soils.org.  

Candidate Information Bulletin (PDF)  

Only applicants approved by the Board should contact the DPOR Examinations Section at (804) 367-8544 or exams@dpor.virginia.gov. 

Other Questions?  For application information, contact the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8506. For application information, contact the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8506.

Geologists

The Virginia Board uses the national examination developed by the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG).
Applicants must obtain approval from the Board prior to taking the exam. 

Exam Administrator   PSI
(855) 340-3910
comments@psiexams.com 
Frequency and Dates of Exams  2021
March 19, 2021
October 1, 2021  
Application and Fee Deadline   For March 2021 exam:
  • December 19, 2020
For October 2021 exam:
  • July 2, 2021 
Submit application and application fee directly to Board before registering with PSI for exam.  
Exam Fees and Deadlines* 
Payable to PSI 
*PSI registration deadlines subject to change 
 
  • $290 Practice of Geology
  • $240 Fundamentals of Geology
Only after receiving Board approval, submit exam fee and registration directly to PSI by the following deadlines:
  • March 4, 2021 for March 2021 exam 
  • August 17, 2021 for October 2021 exam
*PSI registration deadlines subject to change 
Exam Locations  Richmond
Vienna
Questions About Exam Scheduling or Registration?   See Candidate Information Bulletin
Only applicants approved by the Board should contact PSI for scheduling at
(855) 340-3910 or comments@psiexams.com.
Other Questions?  DPOR Examinations Section
(804) 367-8544 or exams@dpor.virginia.gov
To check on application status, contact the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8506.

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

Board News

  • The Geology of Virginia is now available for purchase from the Virginia Museum of Natural History's online store for $35 each. The 538-page book is the first comprehensive review of Virginia's geology published in more than a century and describes, in depth, the geological features and history of all regions of the Commonwealth. Learn more at the VMNH website.
  • Information about VDH Stakeholder Facilitation (SHIFT)Overview, meetings, and documents related to transition and private-sector participation in onsite sewage program administration and oversight.  

BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS,

WETLAND PROFESSIONALS and GEOLOGISTS

FAQS


SOIL SCIENTISTS FAQS


Question: I’ve already taken the Fundamentals exam (or both the Fundamentals and the Professional Practice Exam), how do I get my exam scores to you?

Answer: Please send confirmation of your exam scores from the Soil Science Society of America in with your completed application.


Question: I teach a college course or give seminars where CE is earned, can I use that towards my eight contact hours of continuing education per year requirement for renewal?

Answer: Most likely, please submit any documentation you have showing you were the lecturer and how much credit students or persons otherwise instructed received and it will be reviewed.


Question: I have a degree but I don’t know if it counts as a soil science curriculum or related natural science degree. Will my education be enough?

Answer: Your degree may meet the requirements if a certain amount of semester hours have been earned in certain areas, please check regulation 18VAC145-20-91 for more information.



WETLAND PROFESSIONALS FAQS
 

Question: Do all of my references have to be certified wetland delineators?

Answer: While all 3 references have to be wetland professionals, only one has to be certified.


Question: Can a reference also verify my experience? 

Answer: No. References may not verify experience and vice versa.


Question: I have a degree but I do not know if it counts as a similar biological, physical, natural science or environmental science degree. Will my education be enough?

Answer: Your degree may meet the requirement if it has a certain number of semester hours earned in certain areas, please check regulation 18VAC145-30-60 for more information.


GEOLOGISTS FAQS
 

Question: Do I actually need the GIT Designation?

Answer: The designation itself is optional and not a requirement for PG certification


Question: Should I submit both the GIT Designation Application and the PG Certification Application at the same time?

Answer: If you only qualify for the GIT Designation, please only submit the Designation Application. If you qualify for the PG Certification, please only submit the Certification Application. Because the GIT Designation is not a requirement, there is no need to submit both applications at the same time if you qualify for the PG Certification.
 

Board Roster

Board Executive Director

Kathleen (Kate) R. Nosbisch

Board Administrator

Tonia Woolfolk

Member Roster

Board Member Roster

Michael D. Lawless

  • Blacksburg
  • Unexpired term ends June 30, 2021
  • Certified Professional Geologist

Douglas A. DeBerry

  • Williamsburg
  • First four-year term ends June 30, 2021
  • Wetland Professional | Teaching & Research

Robin L. Bedenbaugh

  • Midlothian
  • Second four-year term ends June 30, 2024
  • Wetland Professional | Delineation & Description

Justin T. Brown

  • Glen Allen
  • First four-year term ends June 30, 2022
  • Wetland Delineator

Warren "Ted" Dean

  • Christiansburg
  • Second four-year term ends June 30, 2022
  • Certified Professional Geologist

Molly Parker

  • Henrico
  • Second four-year term ends June 30, 2022
  • Citizen Member

Carlyle Robin Jones

  • Richmond
  • Second four-year term ends June 30, 2023
  • Citizen Member

Larry J. Giannasi | Board Chair

  • Mechanicsville
  • First four-year term ends June 30, 2021
  • Professional Soil Scientist | Soil Suitability and Land Use

R. Drew Thomas | Board Vice-Chair

  • Gainesville
  • Second four-year term ends June 30, 2024
  • Certified Professional Geologist

David Hall

  • Floyd
  • First four-year term ends June 30, 2024
  • Professional Soil Scientist and On Site Soil Evaluator

David Spears

  • Charlottesville
  • State Geologist (ex officio member)

Bennette D. Burks

  • Richmond
  • Second four-year term ends June 30, 2024
  • Citizen Member

Alexis E. Jones

  • Greensville County
  • First four-year term ends June 30, 2024
  • Professional Soil Scientist

Board members are appointed by the Governor. To learn more about the gubernatorial appointment process, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. 

DPOR stands ready to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel as they maintain or transition to civilian careers requiring professional credentials.

Active-duty military personnel and their spouses having served outside the U.S., as well as certain diplomatic service members and veterans, may be eligible to receive up to a five-year extension for meeting license renewal requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-117 of the Code of Virginia).

Spouses of active-duty military personnel assigned to a duty station in Virginia are eligible for expedited processing using the Military Spouse Expedited License Application (Interactive | Static). A temporary, non-renewable 12-month license for certain military spouses licensed in another state who need more time to meet Virginia-specific requirements is also an option if necessary. [Section 54.1-119

  • Military spouses also can get help covering the costs of transferring their professional licenses or certifications when they experience a permanent-change-of-station move with their service member spouse

For honorably discharged veterans, “substantially equivalent” military training, education, or experience may be credited toward certain license requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-118). The Virginia Department of Veteran Services does not reimburse for exam costs. However, Veterans can be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The link for the information is here: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees.

(Please check back periodically as we modify transactions in the future.)


Address change

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Renew a credential

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