Does VDH have amnesia?

Virginia Department of Health
Office of Environmental Health Services, Division of Onsite Sewage and Water Services,
Environmental Engineering and Marina Programs
June 10, 2010

Talking points for the Emergency Regulations for Alternative Onsite Sewage Systems
(12VAC5-613, Effective April 7, 2010)

Practice of Engineering:
Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia addresses the practice of engineering and prescribes those
activities that require a license as a professional engineer. VDH does not have authority to
interpret that law or determine when engineering plans are required. 

According to the law, in order to design AOSSs in Virginia, a person must either be a licensed
professional engineer or a licensed onsite soil evaluator acting under an exemption from the
licensing requirement. VDH does not advise designers regarding their individual licensing
requirements. 

VDH will require that all plans and specifications for AOSSs show a PE seal or contain a
certification statement from a licensed onsite soil evaluator stating that the plans and
specifications were prepared under an exemption from the engineering licensing requirements of
Title 54.1. 

In these talking points the term “designer” is used generically to refer to either a licensed
professional engineer or a licensed onsite soil evaluator. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) is responsible, through its regulatory boards, for implementing these licensing requirements. Questions should be directed to the appropriate regulatory board at DPOR.