Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists | Virginia Department of Professional and Occupati

Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists | Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
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Boards
Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists
Contact Information
Licensing Section
(804) 367-8506
Board Office
(804) 367-8514
FAX
(866) 465-6206
Email
The Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists is composed of three professional soil scientists, three wetland delineators, three geologists, two citizen members, and the State Geologist.
Important Notices
Reduced Call Center Hours:
To facilitate efficient processing of applications, Tuesday and Wednesday call center hours are currently limited. Board telephone call centers will only be available between noon and 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call center hours for Monday, Thursday, and Friday are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fee Adjustment Effective August 1, 2025:
The PSSWPG Board is adjusting licenses, certifications, renewals, and reinstatement fees. The Board must establish fees adequate to support the costs of the Board’s operations and a proportionate share of DPOR’s operations. By the close of fiscal year 2025, fees will not provide adequate revenue for those costs. Soil Scientists and Geologists' fees have not been increased since 2004, with Wetland Professionals not having an increase since 2015. For additional information regarding the fee adjustment, please visit the
Town Hall Webpage
. Updated fee amounts are
available at this link in PDF form
Transition from Certification to Licensure for Geologists Effective July 1, 2025:
The Commonwealth of Virginia has transitioned from a voluntary certification program to a mandatory licensure requirement for professional geologists. This change was enacted by the Virginia General Assembly through House Bill 1835. Please visit the Legislative Information System for full bill details,
HB1835 Bill Details
. To view a summary and explanation of the impact of House Bill 1835, please see:
Geologist HB1835 Notification.
Go to:
Most Requested Forms
(address change, criminal conviction reporting, certification request, etc.)
Applicants must read and understand the Board Regulations. Application fees are not refundable.
DPOR Boards only accept the most recent versions of the applications provided below. DPOR Boards are not responsible for processing delays associated with forms that do not conform to this requirement.
Professional Soil Scientists
License
Application
(for
NEW
applicants)
Universal License Recognition (ULR)
Application
Experience
Log
Wetland Delineators
Certification
Application
Universal License
Recognition
ULR Wetland Experience
Form
Experience
Log
Reference
Form
Geologists
Core Requirements Information
Sheet
License/Reinstatement
Application
Universal License
Recognition
Geologist-In-Training Designation
Application
Experience
Log
Renewal
RENEW ONLINE
Return
the RENEWAL CARD received in the mail
along with your payment.
Submit a
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT FORM
by mail or FAX, with a statement indicating that the payment is for the renewal of a license.
You MUST include your license number(s).
Renewals
cannot
be processed over the phone.
If your license has been expired for
more than 30 days
, you must contact Board staff at (804) 367-8506 or
psswpg@dpor.virginia.gov
Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by
registering here
Statutes
Chapter 22 of Title 54.1
of the
Code of Virginia
Regulations
Pending regulatory action
(proposed changes, public hearings, etc.)
Soil Scientists
Regulations
online
Wetland Delineators
Regulations
online
Geologists
Regulations
online
Guidance Documents
on Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by
registering here
The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
provides access to the board's meeting schedule, agendas, and past meeting minutes.
Visit the
Town Hall:
Soil Scientists and Wetland Delineators Exams
Geologist Exam
Soil Scientists and Wetland Delineators
Applicants must obtain approval from the Board prior to taking the exam.
SOIL SCIENTISTS
WETLAND DELINEATORS
Exam Administrator
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)
DPOR Examinations Section
Frequency and Dates of Exams
Information about frequency and dates
here.
February 6, 2026
August 7, 2026
Application and Fee Deadlines
No application deadline. Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis.
For February 2026 exam:
Application deadline is November 6, 2025
Exam fee deadline is January 6, 2026
For August 2026 exam:
Application deadline is May 7, 2026
Exam fee deadline is July 7, 2026
Application Fee
$110 application fee
$110 application fee
Exam
Fees
$260 for
each
exam
$150
Exam Location
Internet based testing with remote proctoring
Dept. of Professional & Occupational Regulation
Perimeter Center, Suite 400
9960 Mayland Drive
Richmond, VA 23233
Questions About Exam Scheduling or Registration?
Additional exam information is available
here
Only applicants approved by the Board should contact the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) at (608) 273-8085 or
certification@soils.org
Exam FAQs are available
here
Remote proctor information is available
here
Remote proctor FAQs are available
here
Candidate Information Bulletin (PDF)
(08/13/2024)
Only applicants approved by the Board should contact the DPOR Examinations Section at (804) 367-8544 or
exams@dpor.virginia.gov.
Other Questions?
For application information, contact the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8506.
For application information, contact the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8506.
Geologists
The Virginia Board uses the national examination developed by the
National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG)
Applicants must obtain approval from the Board prior to taking the exam.
Exam Administrator
Prometric
Frequency and Dates of Exams
2026
Information about dates
here
Application and Fee Deadline
For Spring 2026 exam:
December 19, 2025
For Fall 2026 exam:
July 3, 2026
Submit application and application fee directly to Board before registering with Prometric for the exam.
Exam Fees and Deadlines*
Payable to Prometric
$110 Application Fee
$325 Practice of Geology
$275 Fundamentals of Geology
Prometric will send an email approximately 6 weeks before the exam administration with payment and scheduling information.
Exam Locations
All Prometric test sites in Virginia
Questions About Exam Scheduling or Registration?
Only applicants approved by the Board will register with Prometric. Contact the Board for information at 804-367-8506 or
Geology@dpor.virginia.gov
New Online Prep Course
ASBOG introduces a new online preparatory course designed to aid candidates in their preparations for the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam.  The 8-hour modular program was developed by a distinguished panel of licensed academic professional geologists from across the nation.  The course provides an overview of topics tied to FG exam domains as well as interactive quizzes. Participants will have the flexibility to select one of three course packages to best suit their individual needs. Options include the Full Course (including all eight study modules), or one of the more focused study courses - the Core Domain Bundle (including five study modules) or the Applied Domain Bundle (four study modules).
Candidates interested in the Prep Course can
view a free comprehensive overview video
of the FG Prep Course contents.  Additional information can also be found on the
ASBOG website.
Other Questions?
To check on application status or for other questions, contact the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8506 or
Geology@dpor.virginia.gov
Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by
registering here
Board News
The Geology of Virginia
is now available for purchase from the Virginia Museum of Natural History's online store for $35 each. The 538-page book is the first comprehensive review of Virginia's geology published in more than a century and describes, in depth, the geological features and history of all regions of the Commonwealth. Learn more at the
VMNH website
Information about
VDH Stakeholder Facilitation (SHIFT)
Overview, meetings, and documents related to transition and private-sector participation in onsite sewage program administration and oversight.
BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS,
WETLAND PROFESSIONALS and GEOLOGISTS
FAQS
SOIL SCIENTISTS FAQS
Question:
I’ve already taken the Fundamentals exam (or both the Fundamentals and the Professional Practice Exam), how do I get my exam scores to you?
Answer:
Please send confirmation of your exam scores from the Soil Science Society of America in with your completed application.
Question
I teach a college course or give seminars where CE is earned, can I use that towards my eight contact hours of continuing education per year requirement for renewal?
Answer:
Most likely, please submit any documentation you have showing you were the lecturer and how much credit students or persons otherwise instructed received and it will be reviewed.
Question
I have a degree but I don’t know if it counts as a soil science curriculum or related natural science degree. Will my education be enough?
Answer:
Your degree may meet the requirements if a certain amount of semester hours have been earned in certain areas, please check regulation 18VAC145-20-91 for more information.
WETLAND PROFESSIONALS FAQS
Question:
Do all of my references have to be certified wetland delineators?
Answer:
While all 3 references have to be wetland professionals, only one has to be certified.
Question
Can a reference also verify my experience?
Answer
: No. References may not verify experience and vice versa.
Question:
I have a degree but I do not know if it counts as a similar biological, physical, natural science, or environmental science degree. Will my education be enough?
Answer
: Your degree may meet the requirement if it has a certain number of semester hours earned in certain areas, please check regulation 18VAC145-30-60 for more information.
Question:
Does the course in state and federal wetland delineation methods need to contain an instructor-led field component?
Answer:
The course must have a field component.  It is strongly recommended that a course with an instructor-led field component is taken to ensure appropriate procedures are learned.
GEOLOGISTS FAQS
Question:
Do I actually need the GIT Designation?
Answer:
The designation itself is optional and not a requirement for PG licensure.
Question:
Should I submit both the GIT Designation Application and the PG
Licensure
Application at the same time?
Answer:
If you only qualify for the GIT Designation, please only submit the Designation Application. If you qualify for the PG Licensure, please only submit the Licensure Application. Because the GIT Designation is not a requirement, there is no need to submit both applications at the same time if you qualify for the PG Licensure.
Board Roster
Board Executive Director
Kathleen (Kate) R. Nosbisch
Licensing Operations Administrator
Ecila R. Williams
Regulatory Operations Administrator
Kyle Mathews
Administrative Coordinator
Davon Jones
Member Roster
Board Member Roster
John Pollard
Richmond
First four-year term ends June 30, 2029
Licensed Professional Geologist
Emily C. Drahos
Midlothian
First four year term ends June 30, 2029
Wetland Professional
Emily Salkind
First four-year term ends June 30, 2028
Wetlands Professional
Justin T. Brown
| Chair
Glen Allen
Second four-year term ends June 30, 2026
Wetland Delineator
Shannon G. Lukens
Harrisonburg
First four-year term ends June 30, 2026
Licensed Professional Geologist
Steven Yob
Glen Allen
First four-year term ends June 30, 2026
Citizen Member
Cayman Lowe
Powhatan
First four-year term ends June 30, 2028
Citizen Member
Richard Michniak
Chesterfield
First four-year term ends June 30, 2029
Professional Soil Scientist | Soil Suitability and Land Use
Jay Conta
North Chesterfield
First four-year term ends June 30, 2028
Professional Soil Scientist
Matt Heller
State Geologist (ex officio member)
VACANT
Citizen Member
Alexis E. Jones
| Vice Chair
Greensville County
First four-year term ends June 30, 2028
Professional Soil Scientist
Ernest "Bubba" Beasley
Charlottesville
First four-year term ends June 30, 2028
Licensed Professional Geologist
Board members are appointed by the
Governor
. To learn more about the gubernatorial appointment process, visit the
Secretary of the Commonwealth's website
DPOR stands ready to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel as they maintain or transition to civilian careers requiring professional credentials.
Active-duty
military personnel and their spouses having served outside the U.S., as well as certain diplomatic service members and veterans, may be eligible to receive up to a five-year
extension for meeting license renewal
requirements (pursuant to
Section 54.1-117
of the
Code of Virginia
).
Spouses
of active-duty military personnel assigned to a duty station in Virginia are eligible for
expedited processing
using the
Military Spouse Expedited License Application
. A
temporary, non-renewable 12-month license
for certain military spouses licensed in another state who need more time to meet Virginia-specific requirements is also an option if necessary. [
Section 54.1-119
Military spouses also can
get help covering the costs
of transferring their professional licenses or certifications when they experience a permanent-change-of-station move with their service member spouse
For honorably discharged veterans
, “substantially equivalent” military training, education, or experience may be credited toward certain license requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-118). The Virginia Department of Veteran Services does not reimburse for exam costs. However, Veterans can be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The link for the information is here:
(Please check back periodically as we modify transactions in the future.)
Address change
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Renew a credential
ALL license/certificate types
Go to
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