                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEFINITIONS (§ 54.1-2200)

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#8220;Board&#8221; means the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland
Professionals, and Geologists.
		&#8220;Department&#8221; means the Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation.
		&#8220;Eligible soil scientist&#8221; means a person who possesses the
qualifications specified in this chapter to become licensed.
		&#8220;Eligible wetland professional&#8221; means a person who possesses the
qualifications specified in this chapter to become certified.
		&#8220;Geological mapping&#8221; 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. &#8220;Geological
mapping&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Geologist&#8221; means a person engaged in the practice of geology.
		&#8220;Geology&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Practice of geology&#8221; 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&#8217;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.
		&#8220;Practice of soil evaluation&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Practice of wetland delineation&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Qualified geologist&#8221; means an unlicensed person who possesses all
the qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure.
		&#8220;Soil&#8221; means the groups of natural bodies occupying the
unconsolidated portion of the earth&#8217;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.
		&#8220;Soil evaluation&#8221; means plotting soil boundaries, describing and
evaluating the kinds of soil, and predicting their suitability for and response
to various uses.
		&#8220;Soil science&#8221; means the science dealing with the physical,
chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties of soils as natural bodies.
		&#8220;Soil scientist&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Virginia certified professional wetland delineator&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Virginia licensed professional geologist&#8221; means a person who
possesses all qualifications specified in this chapter for licensure and whose
competence has been attested by the Board through licensure.
		&#8220;Virginia licensed professional soil scientist&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Wetland delineation&#8221; means delineating wetland limits in
accordance with prevailing state and federal regulatory guidance and describing
wetland types.
		&#8220;Wetland professional&#8221; 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.
		&#8220;Wetland science&#8221; means the science dealing with the physical,
chemical, and biological properties of wetland systems integrated through
ecological and morphological relationships.
		&#8220;Wetlands&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in §§
28.2-1300 and 62.1-44.3.

HISTORY: 1987, c. 626, § 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.