Proposed Text Changes (Part II of II, split #03 due to 3000 word limit)

Please find these proposed text additions and deletions respectfully submitted to address the Proposed Text to Amend regulations to license onsite sewage system professionals.

Please carefully consider the following text additions (underlined and marked up with yellow highlighter) and text deletions (using a strikeout font and marked out with black highlighter). Colored fonts were added for organization and emphasis in certain cases.

These text amendments and deletions are proposed to facilitate continuity of onsite services for the stakeholder occupations and the public.  It does allow for the creation of a future Class "A" Onsite Soil Evaluator designation which would allow for expanding the design priviledges of qualified individuals beyond the current exemptions to the practice of engineering. 

Thank you for the opportunity to respond on this forum and your consideration of these matters.

18VAC160-20-97

18VAC160-20-97. Qualifications for licensure - Onsite Sewage System Installers.

B. Specific entry requirements.

1. Conventional Onsite Sewage System Installer.  Each individual applying for an initial conventional Onsite Sewage System Installer license shall pass a board-approved examination and shall meet one of the following requirements:

a. Two years experience obtained during the last four years under a sewage disposal system (SDS) contractor licensed by the Virginia Board for Contractors installing alternative onsite sewage systems or conventional onsite sewage; or

b. Certification by three Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluators (AOSE) or professional engineers that the applicant is competent to install conventional onsite sewage systems.

2. Alternative Onsite Sewage System Installer.  Each individual applying for an initial alternative Onsite Sewage System Installer license shall pass a board-approved examination and shall meet one of the following requirements:

a. 1. Provide contractor completion statements and associated operation permits issued by the VDH, which shall be certified by Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluators (AOSE) or professional engineers a licensed individual, for work performed prior to after the effective date of this chapter.  The statements and permits must verify that the applicant had successfully installed 36 onsite sewage systems during the preceding five three years, six of which must be alternative systems, three of which must include absorption field designs other than a gravity subsurface drainfield; or

b. 2. Provide contractor completion statements and associated operation permits issued by the VDH, which shall be certified by Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluators (AOSE) or professional engineers a licensed individual, for work performed before the effective date of this chapter verifying that the applicant successfully installed 12 alternative onsite sewage systems, six of which must include absorption field designs other than a gravity subsurface drainfield during the past three years.

3. Two years experience obtained during the last four years under a sewage disposal system (SDS) contractor licensed by the Virginia Board for Contractors installing onsite sewage systems and certification by three Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluators (AOSE) or professional engineers that the applicant is competent to install onsite sewage systems.

If an individual is not listed on the completion statement but did perform the installation, then the individual named on the contractor's completion statement and associated operation permit issued by the VDH may certify an individual's work performed on an alternative onsite sewage system that was installed prior to the effective date of this chapter provided that the application is received by the department no later than 12 months after the effective date of this chapter.

18VAC160-20-98

18VAC160-20-98. Qualifications for licensure - Onsite Sewage System Operators.

B. Specific entry requirements.

1. Conventional Onsite Sewage System Operator onsite sewage operator.  Each individual applying for an initial conventional Onsite Sewage System Operator license shall pass a board-approved examination and shall meet one of the following requirements:

a. 1. Have no high school diploma, at least one year of full-time experience as a sewage handler, or one year of full-time experience working under the direct supervision of a licensed conventional Onsite Sewage System Operator or of a licensed alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator; or

b. 2. Have a high school diploma or GED and satisfactorily completed an Onsite Sewage System Operator course approved by the board or have six months of full-time experience working under the direct supervision of an Onsite Sewage System Operator licensee.

c. 3. Have a bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology, or in physical, biological or chemical science or hold a bachelor's degree and satisfactorily completed an Onsite Sewage System Operator course approved by the board.

4. Possess a valid interim license for Onsite Site Evaluator and satisfactorily completed an Onsite Sewage System Operator course approved by the board.

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, shall pass a board-approved examination, and shall meet one of the following requirements:

a. Have no high school diploma and 24 months of full-time experience working under the direct supervision of an alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator licensee;

b. Have a high school diploma or GED and 12 months of full-time experience working under the direct supervision of an alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator licensee; or

c. Possess a valid Class IV or higher wastewater works operator license and Have satisfactorily completed an Onsite Sewage System Operator course approved by the board or have six months of full-time experience working under the direct supervision of an alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator licensee