The current proposed regulations (18VAC160-20-98. Qualifications for licensure - onsite sewage system operators) suggests the following"

"1. Conventional onsite sewage operator. Each individual applying for an initial conventional onsite sewage system operator license..."

AND

"2. Alternative onsite sewage system operator. Each individual applying for an initial alternative onsite sewage system operator license shall possess a valid conventional onsite sewage system operator license, ..."

My question to the Board is why are we designing the licensure program to make the soils fit the systems?  Shouldn't you be designing the program where the systems fit the soils?  Aren't the soils the underlying foundation for a onsite system?  And isn't the soils system itself and its physical characteristics and geomorphology that SHOULD dictate the type of system?  Therefore, instead of two licenses: one to evaluate soils <36"" and one to evalute soils > 36"...maybe it should be suggested that we have two licenses: one for the soils evaluation and one for the design components.  The soils should be evaluated based on the soil properties, NOT which system do we want to use and how can we make the soils fit the system!!