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.
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 three years
of experience in wetland delineation, 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, 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 three 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.