{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2200.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2200.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2200.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2200.html"}],"law_id":74345,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74345,"structure_id":16667,"section_number":"54.1-2200","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1987, c. 626, \u00a7 54-969; 1988, c. 765; 1993, c. 499; 2002, c. 784; 2011, cc. 777, 859; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2024, cc. 4, 23; 2025, c. 722.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Board” means the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.\n\t\t“Eligible soil scientist” means a person who possesses the qualifications specified in this chapter to become licensed.\n\t\t“Eligible wetland professional” means a person who possesses the qualifications specified in this chapter to become certified.\n\t\t“Geological mapping” means the process of creating a map on which is recorded geological information, such as the distribution, nature, and age of relationships of rock units, in which surficial deposits may or may not be mapped separately, and the occurrence of structural features such as folds, faults, and joints; mineral deposits; and fossil localities. “Geological mapping” may indicate geologic structure by means of formational outcrop patterns, by conventional symbols giving the direction and amount of dip at certain points, or by structure-contour lines.\n\t\t“Geologist” means a person engaged in the practice of geology.\n\t\t“Geology” means the science encompassing those principles and methods related to (i) the earth and its history in general; (ii) the investigation, prediction, evaluation, and location of materials and structures that compose the earth; (iii) the natural processes that cause changes in the earth; and (iv) the application of knowledge of the earth, its processes, and its constituent rocks, minerals, liquids, gases, and other natural materials.\n\t\t“Practice of geology” means the performance of any professional service or work wherein the principles and methods of geology are applied, including (i) investigating, evaluating, and consulting; (ii) geological mapping; (iii) describing the natural processes that act upon the earth’s materials; (iv) predicting the probable occurrence of natural processes; and (v) inspecting, planning, and performing and supervising geological work in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the environment.\n\t\t“Practice of soil evaluation” means the evaluation of soil by accepted principles and methods including, observation, investigation, and consultation on measured, observed, and inferred soils and their properties; analysis of the effects of these properties on the use and management of various kinds of soil; and preparation of soil descriptions, maps, reports, and interpretive drawings.\n\t\t“Practice of wetland delineation” means the delineation of wetlands by accepted principles and methods including, observation, investigation, and consultation on soil, vegetation, and hydrologic parameters; and preparation of wetland delineations, descriptions, reports, and interpretive drawings.\n\t\t“Qualified geologist” means an unlicensed person who possesses all the qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure.\n\t\t“Soil” means the groups of natural bodies occupying the unconsolidated portion of the earth’s surface which are capable of supporting plant life and have properties caused by the combined effects, as modified by topography and time, of climate and living organisms upon parent materials.\n\t\t“Soil evaluation” means plotting soil boundaries, describing and evaluating the kinds of soil, and predicting their suitability for and response to various uses.\n\t\t“Soil science” means the science dealing with the physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties of soils as natural bodies.\n\t\t“Soil scientist” means a person having special knowledge of soil science and the methods and principles of soil evaluation as acquired by education and experience in the formation, description, and mapping of soils.\n\t\t“Virginia certified professional wetland delineator” means a person who possesses the qualifications required for certification by the provisions of this chapter and the regulations of the Board and who is granted certification by the Board.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional geologist” means a person who possesses all qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure and whose competence has been attested by the Board through licensure.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional soil scientist” means a person who possesses the qualifications required for licensure by the provisions of this chapter and the regulations of the Board and who has been granted a license by the Board.\n\t\t“Wetland delineation” means delineating wetland limits in accordance with prevailing state and federal regulatory guidance and describing wetland types.\n\t\t“Wetland professional” means a person having special knowledge of wetland science and the methods and principles of wetland delineation as acquired by education and experience in the formation, description, and mapping of wetlands.\n\t\t“Wetland science” means the science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological properties of wetland systems integrated through ecological and morphological relationships.\n\t\t“Wetlands” means the same as that term is defined in \u00a7\u00a7 28.2-1300 and 62.1-44.3.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":267253,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Board” means the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.\n\t\t“Eligible soil scientist” means a person who possesses the qualifications specified in this chapter to become licensed.\n\t\t“Eligible wetland professional” means a person who possesses the qualifications specified in this chapter to become certified.\n\t\t“Geological mapping” means the process of creating a map on which is recorded geological information, such as the distribution, nature, and age of relationships of rock units, in which surficial deposits may or may not be mapped separately, and the occurrence of structural features such as folds, faults, and joints; mineral deposits; and fossil localities. “Geological mapping” may indicate geologic structure by means of formational outcrop patterns, by conventional symbols giving the direction and amount of dip at certain points, or by structure-contour lines.\n\t\t“Geologist” means a person engaged in the practice of geology.\n\t\t“Geology” means the science encompassing those principles and methods related to (i) the earth and its history in general; (ii) the investigation, prediction, evaluation, and location of materials and structures that compose the earth; (iii) the natural processes that cause changes in the earth; and (iv) the application of knowledge of the earth, its processes, and its constituent rocks, minerals, liquids, gases, and other natural materials.\n\t\t“Practice of geology” means the performance of any professional service or work wherein the principles and methods of geology are applied, including (i) investigating, evaluating, and consulting; (ii) geological mapping; (iii) describing the natural processes that act upon the earth’s materials; (iv) predicting the probable occurrence of natural processes; and (v) inspecting, planning, and performing and supervising geological work in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the environment.\n\t\t“Practice of soil evaluation” means the evaluation of soil by accepted principles and methods including, observation, investigation, and consultation on measured, observed, and inferred soils and their properties; analysis of the effects of these properties on the use and management of various kinds of soil; and preparation of soil descriptions, maps, reports, and interpretive drawings.\n\t\t“Practice of wetland delineation” means the delineation of wetlands by accepted principles and methods including, observation, investigation, and consultation on soil, vegetation, and hydrologic parameters; and preparation of wetland delineations, descriptions, reports, and interpretive drawings.\n\t\t“Qualified geologist” means an unlicensed person who possesses all the qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure.\n\t\t“Soil” means the groups of natural bodies occupying the unconsolidated portion of the earth’s surface which are capable of supporting plant life and have properties caused by the combined effects, as modified by topography and time, of climate and living organisms upon parent materials.\n\t\t“Soil evaluation” means plotting soil boundaries, describing and evaluating the kinds of soil, and predicting their suitability for and response to various uses.\n\t\t“Soil science” means the science dealing with the physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties of soils as natural bodies.\n\t\t“Soil scientist” means a person having special knowledge of soil science and the methods and principles of soil evaluation as acquired by education and experience in the formation, description, and mapping of soils.\n\t\t“Virginia certified professional wetland delineator” means a person who possesses the qualifications required for certification by the provisions of this chapter and the regulations of the Board and who is granted certification by the Board.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional geologist” means a person who possesses all qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure and whose competence has been attested by the Board through licensure.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional soil scientist” means a person who possesses the qualifications required for licensure by the provisions of this chapter and the regulations of the Board and who has been granted a license by the Board.\n\t\t“Wetland delineation” means delineating wetland limits in accordance with prevailing state and federal regulatory guidance and describing wetland types.\n\t\t“Wetland professional” means a person having special knowledge of wetland science and the methods and principles of wetland delineation as acquired by education and experience in the formation, description, and mapping of wetlands.\n\t\t“Wetland science” means the science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological properties of wetland systems integrated through ecological and morphological relationships.\n\t\t“Wetlands” means the same as that term is defined in \u00a7\u00a7 28.2-1300 and 62.1-44.3.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":16667,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:31:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:31:42","permalink":{"id":240149,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16667,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/II\/22\/1","url":"\/54.1\/II\/22\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists","identifier":"22","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12755,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:09","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:09","permalink":{"id":240147,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13875,"identifier":"22","token":"54.1\/II\/22","url":"\/54.1\/II\/22\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12755,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Boards Within the Department","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239415,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12755,"identifier":"II","token":"54.1\/II","url":"\/54.1\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74345,"structure_id":16667,"section_number":"54.1-2200","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-2200\/","token":"54.1\/II\/22\/1\/54.1-2200","metadata":false},{"id":83739,"structure_id":16667,"section_number":"54.1-2200.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/54.1-2200.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/22\/1\/54.1-2200.1","metadata":false},{"id":80773,"structure_id":16667,"section_number":"54.1-2200.2","catch_line":"Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists; membership; quorum","url":"\/54.1-2200.2\/","token":"54.1\/II\/22\/1\/54.1-2200.2","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":83739,"structure_id":16667,"section_number":"54.1-2200.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/54.1-2200.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/22\/1\/54.1-2200.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2200\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1987. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 626 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1987 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 765; in 1993, chapter 499; in 2002, chapter 784<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 777<\/a> and 859<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 803<\/a> and 835<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 4<\/a> and 23<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 722<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61469,"section_number":"62.1-44.15:27.3","catch_line":"Acceptance of signed and sealed plan in lieu of local plan review","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.15_27.3\/"},{"id":59650,"section_number":"62.1-44.15:28","catch_line":"Development of regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.15_28\/"},{"id":59976,"section_number":"62.1-44.15:51","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.15_51\/"},{"id":58461,"section_number":"62.1-44.15:53","catch_line":"Certification of program personnel","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.15_53\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":62122,"section_number":"28.2-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1300\/"},{"id":61187,"section_number":"62.1-44.3","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.3\/"}],"permalink":{"id":240151,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74345,"identifier":"54.1-2200","token":"54.1\/II\/22\/1\/54.1-2200","url":"\/54.1-2200\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2200\/","token":"54.1\/II\/22\/1\/54.1-2200","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2200","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Board<\/span>” means the Board<\/span> for Professional Soil Scientists<\/span>, Wetland Professionals<\/span>, and Geologists<\/span>.\n\t\t“Department<\/span>” means the Department<\/span> of Professional and Occupational Regulation.\n\t\t“Eligible soil scientist<\/span>” means a person who possesses the qualifications specified in this chapter to become licensed.\n\t\t“Eligible wetland professional<\/span>” means a person who possesses the qualifications specified in this chapter to become certified.\n\t\t“Geological mapping<\/span>” means the process of creating a map on which is recorded geological information, such as the distribution, nature, and age of relationships of rock units, in which surficial deposits may or may not be mapped separately, and the occurrence of structural features such as folds, faults, and joints; mineral deposits; and fossil localities. “Geological mapping<\/span>” may indicate geologic structure by means of formational outcrop patterns, by conventional symbols giving the direction and amount of dip at certain points, or by structure-contour lines.\n\t\t“Geologist” means a person engaged in the practice of geology<\/span>.\n\t\t“Geology” means the science encompassing those principles and methods related to (i) the earth and its history in general; (ii) the investigation, prediction, evaluation, and location of materials<\/span> and structures that compose the earth; (iii) the natural processes that cause changes in the earth; and (iv) the application of knowledge of the earth, its processes, and its constituent rocks, minerals, liquids, gases, and other natural materials<\/span>.\n\t\t“Practice of geology<\/span>” means the performance of any professional service or work wherein the principles and methods of geology are applied, including (i) investigating, evaluating, and consulting; (ii) geological mapping<\/span>; (iii) describing the natural processes that act upon the earth’s materials<\/span>; (iv) predicting the probable occurrence of natural processes; and (v) inspecting, planning, and performing and supervising geological work in order<\/span> to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the environment.\n\t\t“Practice of soil evaluation<\/span>” means the evaluation of soil by accepted principles and methods including, observation, investigation, and consultation on measured, observed, and inferred soils<\/span> and their properties; analysis of the effects of these properties on the use and management of various kinds of soil; and preparation of soil descriptions, maps, reports, and interpretive drawings.\n\t\t“Practice of wetland delineation<\/span>” means the delineation of wetlands<\/span> by accepted principles and methods including, observation, investigation, and consultation on soil, vegetation, and hydrologic parameters; and preparation of wetland delineations<\/span>, descriptions, reports, and interpretive drawings.\n\t\t“Qualified geologist<\/span>” means an unlicensed person who possesses all the qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure.\n\t\t“Soil” means the groups of natural bodies occupying the unconsolidated portion of the earth’s surface which are capable of supporting plant life and have properties caused by the combined effects, as modified by topography and time, of climate and living organisms upon parent materials<\/span>.\n\t\t“Soil evaluation” means plotting soil boundaries, describing and evaluating the kinds of soil, and predicting their suitability for and response to various uses.\n\t\t“Soil science<\/span>” means the science dealing with the physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties of soils<\/span> as natural bodies.\n\t\t“Soil scientist” means a person having special knowledge of soil science<\/span> and the methods and principles of soil evaluation as acquired by education and experience in the formation, description, and mapping of soils<\/span>.\n\t\t“Virginia certified professional wetland delineator<\/span>” means a person who possesses the qualifications required for certification by the provisions of this chapter and the regulations of the Board<\/span> and who is granted certification by the Board<\/span>.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional geologist<\/span>” means a person who possesses all qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure and whose competence has been attested by the Board<\/span> through licensure.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional soil scientist<\/span>” means a person who possesses the qualifications required for licensure by the provisions of this chapter and the regulations of the Board<\/span> and who has been granted a license by the Board<\/span>.\n\t\t“Wetland delineation” means delineating wetland limits in accordance with prevailing state and federal regulatory guidance and describing wetland types.\n\t\t“Wetland professional” means a person having special knowledge of wetland science<\/span> and the methods and principles of wetland delineation as acquired by education and experience in the formation, description, and mapping of wetlands<\/span>.\n\t\t“Wetland science<\/span>” means the science dealing with the physical, chemical, and biological properties of wetland systems integrated through ecological and morphological relationships.\n\t\t“Wetlands<\/span>” means the same as that term is defined in \u00a7\u00a7 28.2-1300<\/a> and 62.1-44.3<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 54.1-2200)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Board” means the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland\nProfessionals, and Geologists.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Professional and Occupational\nRegulation.\n\t\t“Eligible soil scientist” means a person who possesses the\nqualifications specified in this chapter to become licensed.\n\t\t“Eligible wetland professional” means a person who possesses the\nqualifications specified in this chapter to become certified.\n\t\t“Geological mapping” means the process of creating a map on which\nis recorded geological information, such as the distribution, nature, and age of\nrelationships of rock units, in which surficial deposits may or may not be\nmapped separately, and the occurrence of structural features such as folds,\nfaults, and joints; mineral deposits; and fossil localities. “Geological\nmapping” may indicate geologic structure by means of formational outcrop\npatterns, by conventional symbols giving the direction and amount of dip at\ncertain points, or by structure-contour lines.\n\t\t“Geologist” means a person engaged in the practice of geology.\n\t\t“Geology” means the science encompassing those principles and\nmethods related to (i) the earth and its history in general; (ii) the\ninvestigation, prediction, evaluation, and location of materials and structures\nthat compose the earth; (iii) the natural processes that cause changes in the\nearth; and (iv) the application of knowledge of the earth, its processes, and\nits constituent rocks, minerals, liquids, gases, and other natural materials.\n\t\t“Practice of geology” means the performance of any professional\nservice or work wherein the principles and methods of geology are applied,\nincluding (i) investigating, evaluating, and consulting; (ii) geological\nmapping; (iii) describing the natural processes that act upon the earth’s\nmaterials; (iv) predicting the probable occurrence of natural processes; and (v)\ninspecting, planning, and performing and supervising geological work in order to\nenhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the\nenvironment.\n\t\t“Practice of soil evaluation” means the evaluation of soil by\naccepted principles and methods including, observation, investigation, and\nconsultation on measured, observed, and inferred soils and their properties;\nanalysis of the effects of these properties on the use and management of various\nkinds of soil; and preparation of soil descriptions, maps, reports, and\ninterpretive drawings.\n\t\t“Practice of wetland delineation” means the delineation of\nwetlands by accepted principles and methods including, observation,\ninvestigation, and consultation on soil, vegetation, and hydrologic parameters;\nand preparation of wetland delineations, descriptions, reports, and interpretive\ndrawings.\n\t\t“Qualified geologist” means an unlicensed person who possesses all\nthe qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure.\n\t\t“Soil” means the groups of natural bodies occupying the\nunconsolidated portion of the earth’s surface which are capable of\nsupporting plant life and have properties caused by the combined effects, as\nmodified by topography and time, of climate and living organisms upon parent\nmaterials.\n\t\t“Soil evaluation” means plotting soil boundaries, describing and\nevaluating the kinds of soil, and predicting their suitability for and response\nto various uses.\n\t\t“Soil science” means the science dealing with the physical,\nchemical, mineralogical, and biological properties of soils as natural bodies.\n\t\t“Soil scientist” means a person having special knowledge of soil\nscience and the methods and principles of soil evaluation as acquired by\neducation and experience in the formation, description, and mapping of soils.\n\t\t“Virginia certified professional wetland delineator” means a\nperson who possesses the qualifications required for certification by the\nprovisions of this chapter and the regulations of the Board and who is granted\ncertification by the Board.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional geologist” means a person who\npossesses all qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure and whose\ncompetence has been attested by the Board through licensure.\n\t\t“Virginia licensed professional soil scientist” means a person who\npossesses the qualifications required for licensure by the provisions of this\nchapter and the regulations of the Board and who has been granted a license by\nthe Board.\n\t\t“Wetland delineation” means delineating wetland limits in\naccordance with prevailing state and federal regulatory guidance and describing\nwetland types.\n\t\t“Wetland professional” means a person having special knowledge of\nwetland science and the methods and principles of wetland delineation as\nacquired by education and experience in the formation, description, and mapping\nof wetlands.\n\t\t“Wetland science” means the science dealing with the physical,\nchemical, and biological properties of wetland systems integrated through\necological and morphological relationships.\n\t\t“Wetlands” means the same as that term is defined in \u00a7\u00a7\n28.2-1300 and 62.1-44.3.\n\nHISTORY: 1987, c. 626, \u00a7 54-969; 1988, c. 765; 1993, c. 499; 2002, c. 784;\n2011, cc. 777, 859; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2024, cc. 4, 23; 2025, c. 722.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}