HOUSE BILL NO. 2839 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Soil Scientists and Wetland Professionals; requirements for professional wetland delineator certification. ---------- Patron-- Hall ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 54.1-2206.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-2206.2. Requirements for professional wetland delineator certification.

A. In order to be certified as a professional wetland delineator, an applicant shall achieve a score acceptable to the Board on an examination, which may include a field practicum, in the principles and practice of wetland delineation, provide three written references from wetland professionals with at least one from a certified professional wetland delineator, and satisfy one of the following criteria:

1. Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a wetland science, biology, biological engineering, civil and environmental engineering, ecology, soil science, geology, hydrology or any similar biological, physical, natural science or environmental engineering curriculum that has been approved by the Board; have successfully completed a course of instruction, in state and federal wetland delineation methods, that has been approved by the Board; and have at least four years of experience in wetland delineation under the supervision of a certified professional wetland delineator, the quality of which demonstrates to the Board that the applicant is competent to practice as a certified professional wetland delineator;

2. Have a record of at least six years of experience in wetland delineation under the supervision of a certified professional wetland delineator, the quality of which demonstrates to the Board that the applicant is competent to practice as a certified professional wetland delineator; or

3. Have a record of at least four years of experience in wetland science research or as a teacher of wetlands curriculum in an accredited institution of higher education, the quality of which demonstrates to the Board that the applicant is competent to practice as a certified professional wetland delineator.

B. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection A, the requirement for a reference from and supervision by a certified professional wetland delineator shall be waived for the first two six years of the program.

2. That an emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.