{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2301.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2301.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2301.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2301.html"}],"law_id":84560,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84560,"structure_id":15243,"section_number":"54.1-2301","catch_line":"Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals; membership; terms; duties","history":"1970, c. 768, \u00a7\u00a7 54-573.1, 54-573.3; 1981, c. 447; 1988, c. 765; 1989, c. 97; 2007, cc. 892, 924; 2008, c. 67; 2012, cc. 677, 704; 2013, c. 731; 2023, cc. 192, 632, 633.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals shall consist of 11 members as follows: the Director of the Office of Water Programs of the State Department of Health, or his designee, the Executive Director of the State Water Control Board, or his designee, a currently employed waterworks operator having a valid license of the highest classification issued by the Board, a currently employed wastewater works operator having a valid license of the highest classification issued by the Board, a local or regional representative of the Department of Health, a representative of an owner of a waterworks, a representative of an owner of a wastewater works, a licensed alternative onsite sewage system operator, a licensed alternative onsite sewage system installer, a licensed onsite soil evaluator, and one nonlegislative citizen member. The alternative onsite sewage system operator, alternative onsite sewage system installer, and onsite soil evaluator shall have practiced for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to appointment. No owner shall be represented on the Board by more than one representative or employee operator. The term of Board members shall be four years.B\n\n1. The Board shall examine waterworks and wastewater works operators and issue licenses. The licenses may be issued in specific operator classifications to attest to the competency of an operator to supervise and operate waterworks and wastewater works while protecting the public health, welfare, and property and conserving and protecting the water resources of the Commonwealth.2\n\nThe Board shall, upon application by an individual, and without examination pursuant to subdivision 1, recognize licenses or certificates issued by another state as fulfillment of qualifications for licensure in the Commonwealth if the following conditions are met:\n\t\t\t\ta. The individual holds a current and valid professional or occupational license or government certification in another state in a profession or occupation with a similar scope of practice, as determined by the Board;\n\t\t\t\tb. The individual has held the professional or occupational license or government certification in the other state for at least three years;\n\t\t\t\tc. The other state or state of original licensure required the individual to pass an examination and to meet certain standards related to education, training, or experience;\n\t\t\t\td. There are no pending investigations or unresolved complaints against the individual, and the other state holds the individual in good standing;\n\t\t\t\te. The individual does not have a disqualifying criminal record as determined by the Board in accordance with § 54.1-204;\n\t\t\t\tf. No other state has imposed discipline on the licensee, except for discipline involving only a financial penalty and no harm to the health or economic well-being of the public; and\n\t\t\t\tg. The individual pays all applicable fees.3\n\nFor the purposes of this subsection, “other state” or “another state” means any state, territory, possession, or jurisdiction of the United States.C\n\nThe Board shall establish a program for licensing individuals as onsite soil evaluators, onsite sewage system installers, and onsite sewage system operators.D\n\nThe Board, in consultation with the Board of Health, shall adopt regulations for the licensure of (i) onsite soil evaluators; (ii) installers of alternative onsite sewage systems, as defined in § 32.1-163; and (iii) operators of alternative onsite sewage systems, as defined in § 32.1-163. Such regulations shall include requirements for (a) minimum education and training, including approved training courses; (b) relevant work experience; (c) demonstrated knowledge and skill; (d) application fees to cover the costs of the program, renewal fees, and schedules; (e) the division of onsite soil evaluators into classes, one of which shall be restricted to the design of conventional onsite sewage systems; and (f) other criteria the Board deems necessary.E\n\nThe Board shall permit any wastewater works operator to sit for the conventional onsite sewage system operator examination.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":303063,"text":"The Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals shall consist of 11 members as follows: the Director of the Office of Water Programs of the State Department of Health, or his designee, the Executive Director of the State Water Control Board, or his designee, a currently employed waterworks operator having a valid license of the highest classification issued by the Board, a currently employed wastewater works operator having a valid license of the highest classification issued by the Board, a local or regional representative of the Department of Health, a representative of an owner of a waterworks, a representative of an owner of a wastewater works, a licensed alternative onsite sewage system operator, a licensed alternative onsite sewage system installer, a licensed onsite soil evaluator, and one nonlegislative citizen member. The alternative onsite sewage system operator, alternative onsite sewage system installer, and onsite soil evaluator shall have practiced for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to appointment. No owner shall be represented on the Board by more than one representative or employee operator. The term of Board members shall be four years.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":303064,"text":"1. The Board shall examine waterworks and wastewater works operators and issue licenses. The licenses may be issued in specific operator classifications to attest to the competency of an operator to supervise and operate waterworks and wastewater works while protecting the public health, welfare, and property and conserving and protecting the water resources of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B2"},"2":{"id":303065,"text":"The Board shall, upon application by an individual, and without examination pursuant to subdivision 1, recognize licenses or certificates issued by another state as fulfillment of qualifications for licensure in the Commonwealth if the following conditions are met:\n\t\t\t\ta. The individual holds a current and valid professional or occupational license or government certification in another state in a profession or occupation with a similar scope of practice, as determined by the Board;\n\t\t\t\tb. The individual has held the professional or occupational license or government certification in the other state for at least three years;\n\t\t\t\tc. The other state or state of original licensure required the individual to pass an examination and to meet certain standards related to education, training, or experience;\n\t\t\t\td. There are no pending investigations or unresolved complaints against the individual, and the other state holds the individual in good standing;\n\t\t\t\te. The individual does not have a disqualifying criminal record as determined by the Board in accordance with § 54.1-204;\n\t\t\t\tf. No other state has imposed discipline on the licensee, except for discipline involving only a financial penalty and no harm to the health or economic well-being of the public; and\n\t\t\t\tg. The individual pays all applicable fees.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B3"},"3":{"id":303066,"text":"For the purposes of this subsection, “other state” or “another state” means any state, territory, possession, or jurisdiction of the United States.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":303067,"text":"The Board shall establish a program for licensing individuals as onsite soil evaluators, onsite sewage system installers, and onsite sewage system operators.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":303068,"text":"The Board, in consultation with the Board of Health, shall adopt regulations for the licensure of (i) onsite soil evaluators; (ii) installers of alternative onsite sewage systems, as defined in § 32.1-163; and (iii) operators of alternative onsite sewage systems, as defined in § 32.1-163. Such regulations shall include requirements for (a) minimum education and training, including approved training courses; (b) relevant work experience; (c) demonstrated knowledge and skill; (d) application fees to cover the costs of the program, renewal fees, and schedules; (e) the division of onsite soil evaluators into classes, one of which shall be restricted to the design of conventional onsite sewage systems; and (f) other criteria the Board deems necessary.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":303069,"text":"The Board shall permit any wastewater works operator to sit for the conventional onsite sewage system operator examination.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15243,"edition_id":1,"name":"Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators","identifier":"23","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12755,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:15","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:15","permalink":{"id":240241,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15243,"identifier":"23","token":"54.1\/II\/23","url":"\/54.1\/II\/23\/","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":82563,"structure_id":15243,"section_number":"54.1-2300","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-2300\/","token":"54.1\/II\/23\/54.1-2300","metadata":false},{"id":84560,"structure_id":15243,"section_number":"54.1-2301","catch_line":"Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals; membership; terms; duties","url":"\/54.1-2301\/","token":"54.1\/II\/23\/54.1-2301","metadata":false},{"id":58017,"structure_id":15243,"section_number":"54.1-2302","catch_line":"License required","url":"\/54.1-2302\/","token":"54.1\/II\/23\/54.1-2302","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82563,"structure_id":15243,"section_number":"54.1-2300","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-2300\/","token":"54.1\/II\/23\/54.1-2300","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58017,"structure_id":15243,"section_number":"54.1-2302","catch_line":"License required","url":"\/54.1-2302\/","token":"54.1\/II\/23\/54.1-2302","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2301\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 768 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 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1981, chapter 447; in 1988, chapter 765; in 1989, chapter 97; in 2007, chapters 892<\/a> and 924<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 67<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 677<\/a> and 704<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 731<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 192<\/a>, 632<\/a>, and 633<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":64577,"section_number":"32.1-163","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-163\/"},{"id":72754,"section_number":"54.1-204","catch_line":"Prior convictions not to abridge rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-204\/"}],"permalink":{"id":240247,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84560,"identifier":"54.1-2301","token":"54.1\/II\/23\/54.1-2301","url":"\/54.1-2301\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2301\/","token":"54.1\/II\/23\/54.1-2301","dublin_core":{"Title":"Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals; membership; terms; duties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2301","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Board<\/span> for Waterworks<\/span> and Wastewater Works<\/span> Operators<\/span> and Onsite Sewage System<\/span> Professionals shall consist of 11 members as follows: the Director of the Office of Water Programs of the State Department of Health, or his designee, the Executive Director of the State Water Control Board<\/span>, or his designee, a currently employed waterworks<\/span> operator<\/span> having a valid license of the highest classification issued by the Board<\/span>, a currently employed wastewater works<\/span> operator<\/span> having a valid license of the highest classification issued by the Board<\/span>, a local or regional representative of the Department of Health, a representative of an owner<\/span> of a waterworks<\/span>, a representative of an owner<\/span> of a wastewater works<\/span>, a licensed alternative onsite sewage system<\/span> operator<\/span>, a licensed alternative onsite sewage system<\/span> installer, a licensed onsite soil evaluator, and one nonlegislative citizen member. The alternative onsite sewage system<\/span> operator<\/span>, alternative onsite sewage system<\/span> installer, and onsite soil evaluator shall have practiced for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to appointment. No owner<\/span> shall be represented on the Board<\/span> by more than one representative or employee operator<\/span>. The term of Board<\/span> members shall be four years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> 1. The Board<\/span> shall examine waterworks<\/span> and wastewater works<\/span> operators<\/span> and issue<\/span> licenses. The licenses may be issued in specific operator<\/span> classifications to attest to the competency of an operator<\/span> to supervise and operate waterworks<\/span> and wastewater works<\/span> while protecting the public health, welfare, and property and conserving and protecting the water resources of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall, upon application by an individual, and without examination pursuant to subdivision 1, recognize licenses or certificates issued by another state<\/span> as fulfillment of qualifications for licensure in the Commonwealth if the following conditions are met:\n\t\t\t\ta. The individual holds a current and valid professional or occupational license or government certification in another state<\/span> in a profession or occupation with a similar scope of practice, as determined by the Board<\/span>;\n\t\t\t\tb. The individual has held the professional or occupational license or government certification in the other state<\/span> for at least three years;\n\t\t\t\tc. The other state<\/span> or state of original licensure required the individual to pass an examination and to meet certain standards related to education, training, or experience;\n\t\t\t\td. There are no pending investigations or unresolved complaints against the individual, and the other state<\/span> holds the individual in good standing;\n\t\t\t\te. The individual does not have a disqualifying criminal record as determined by the Board<\/span> in accordance with § 54.1-204<\/a>;\n\t\t\t\tf. No other state<\/span> has imposed discipline on the licensee, except for discipline involving only a financial penalty<\/span> and no harm to the health or economic well-being of the public; and\n\t\t\t\tg. The individual pays all applicable fees. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> For the purposes of this subsection, “other state<\/span>” or “another state<\/span>” means any state, territory, possession<\/span>, or jurisdiction<\/span> of the United States. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall establish a program for licensing individuals as onsite soil evaluators, onsite sewage system<\/span> installers, and onsite sewage system<\/span> operators<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Board<\/span>, in consultation with the Board<\/span> of Health, shall adopt regulations for the licensure of (i) onsite soil evaluators; (ii) installers of alternative onsite sewage systems<\/span>, as defined in § 32.1-163<\/a>; and (iii) operators<\/span> of alternative onsite sewage systems<\/span>, as defined in § 32.1-163<\/a>. Such regulations shall include requirements for (a) minimum education and training, including approved training courses; (b) relevant work experience; (c) demonstrated knowledge and skill; (d) application fees to cover the costs of the program, renewal fees, and schedules<\/span>; (e) the division of onsite soil evaluators into classes, one of which shall be restricted to the design of conventional onsite sewage systems<\/span>; and (f) other criteria the Board<\/span> deems necessary. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall permit any wastewater works<\/span> operator<\/span> to sit for the conventional onsite sewage system<\/span> operator<\/span> examination. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBOARD FOR WATERWORKS AND WASTEWATER WORKS OPERATORS AND ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM\nPROFESSIONALS; MEMBERSHIP; TERMS; DUTIES (\u00a7 54.1-2301)\n\nA. The Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage\nSystem Professionals shall consist of 11 members as follows: the Director of the\nOffice of Water Programs of the State Department of Health, or his designee, the\nExecutive Director of the State Water Control Board, or his designee, a\ncurrently employed waterworks operator having a valid license of the highest\nclassification issued by the Board, a currently employed wastewater works\noperator having a valid license of the highest classification issued by the\nBoard, a local or regional representative of the Department of Health, a\nrepresentative of an owner of a waterworks, a representative of an owner of a\nwastewater works, a licensed alternative onsite sewage system operator, a\nlicensed alternative onsite sewage system installer, a licensed onsite soil\nevaluator, and one nonlegislative citizen member. The alternative onsite sewage\nsystem operator, alternative onsite sewage system installer, and onsite soil\nevaluator shall have practiced for at least five consecutive years immediately\nprior to appointment. No owner shall be represented on the Board by more than\none representative or employee operator. The term of Board members shall be four\nyears.\n\nB. 1. The Board shall examine waterworks and wastewater works operators and\nissue licenses. The licenses may be issued in specific operator classifications\nto attest to the competency of an operator to supervise and operate waterworks\nand wastewater works while protecting the public health, welfare, and property\nand conserving and protecting the water resources of the Commonwealth.\n\n 2. The Board shall, upon application by an individual, and without examination\n pursuant to subdivision 1, recognize licenses or certificates issued by\n another state as fulfillment of qualifications for licensure in the\n Commonwealth if the following conditions are met:\n \t\t\t\ta. The individual holds a current and valid professional or occupational\n license or government certification in another state in a profession or\n occupation with a similar scope of practice, as determined by the Board;\n \t\t\t\tb. The individual has held the professional or occupational license or\n government certification in the other state for at least three years;\n \t\t\t\tc. The other state or state of original licensure required the individual\n to pass an examination and to meet certain standards related to education,\n training, or experience;\n \t\t\t\td. There are no pending investigations or unresolved complaints against\n the individual, and the other state holds the individual in good standing;\n \t\t\t\te. The individual does not have a disqualifying criminal record as\n determined by the Board in accordance with § 54.1-204;\n \t\t\t\tf. No other state has imposed discipline on the licensee, except for\n discipline involving only a financial penalty and no harm to the health or\n economic well-being of the public; and\n \t\t\t\tg. The individual pays all applicable fees.\n\n 3. For the purposes of this subsection, “other state” or\n “another state” means any state, territory, possession, or\n jurisdiction of the United States.\n\nC. The Board shall establish a program for licensing individuals as onsite soil\nevaluators, onsite sewage system installers, and onsite sewage system operators.\n\nD. The Board, in consultation with the Board of Health, shall adopt regulations\nfor the licensure of (i) onsite soil evaluators; (ii) installers of alternative\nonsite sewage systems, as defined in § 32.1-163; and (iii) operators of\nalternative onsite sewage systems, as defined in § 32.1-163. Such\nregulations shall include requirements for (a) minimum education and training,\nincluding approved training courses; (b) relevant work experience; (c)\ndemonstrated knowledge and skill; (d) application fees to cover the costs of the\nprogram, renewal fees, and schedules; (e) the division of onsite soil evaluators\ninto classes, one of which shall be restricted to the design of conventional\nonsite sewage systems; and (f) other criteria the Board deems necessary.\n\nE. The Board shall permit any wastewater works operator to sit for the\nconventional onsite sewage system operator examination.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 768, \u00a7\u00a7 54-573.1, 54-573.3; 1981, c. 447; 1988, c. 765;\n1989, c. 97; 2007, cc. 892, 924; 2008, c. 67; 2012, cc. 677, 704; 2013, c. 731;\n2023, cc. 192, 632, 633.","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}}