                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

BOARD FOR WATERWORKS AND WASTEWATER WORKS OPERATORS AND ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM
PROFESSIONALS; MEMBERSHIP; TERMS; DUTIES (§ 54.1-2301)

A. 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.

B. 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.

   2. 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:
   				a. 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;
   				b. The individual has held the professional or occupational license or
   government certification in the other state for at least three years;
   				c. 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;
   				d. There are no pending investigations or unresolved complaints against
   the individual, and the other state holds the individual in good standing;
   				e. The individual does not have a disqualifying criminal record as
   determined by the Board in accordance with &#xA7; 54.1-204;
   				f. 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
   				g. The individual pays all applicable fees.

   3. For the purposes of this subsection, &#8220;other state&#8221; or
   &#8220;another state&#8221; means any state, territory, possession, or
   jurisdiction of the United States.

C. The Board shall establish a program for licensing individuals as onsite soil
evaluators, onsite sewage system installers, and onsite sewage system operators.

D. 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 &#xA7; 32.1-163; and (iii) operators of
alternative onsite sewage systems, as defined in &#xA7; 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. The Board shall permit any wastewater works operator to sit for the
conventional onsite sewage system operator examination.

HISTORY: 1970, c. 768, §§ 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.