The AOSE Regulations (12 VAC 5-615-10 et. sec) provide four ways to become an AOSE.
1.) A person holding a current certificate as a Virginia Certified Professional Soil Scientist from the Board of Professional Soil Scientists shall be eligible to receive a certificate as an AOSE upon passing the AOSE written and field tests.
2.) A person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the division that he has at least four years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions for onsite sewage systems in Virginia in accordance with the Board of Health’s regulations (12 VAC 5-610- 20 et seq.) and a related four-year college degree such as science or engineering shall be eligible to receive a certificate as an AOSE provided:
a.) The applicant successfully completes a training course or courses designated and approved by the division; and
b.) The applicant successfully completes the AOSE written and field tests approved by the division.
3.) A person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the division that he has at least six years of full-time experience evaluating site and soil conditions for onsite sewage systems in Virginia in accordance with the Board of Health’s regulations (12 VAC 5-610-20 et seq.) and a two- or four-year college degree shall be eligible to receive a certificate as an AOSE provided:
a.) The applicant successfully completes a training course or courses designated and approved by the division;
b.) The applicant passes the AOSE written and field tests; and
c.) The applicant provides a written statement signed by a current or former supervisor or an AOSE with a current certification stating that the person is sufficiently experienced to become an AOSE.
4.) A person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the division that he has at least eight years of experience evaluating site and soil conditions for onsite sewage systems in Virginia in accordance with the Board of Health’s regulations (12 VAC 5-610-20 et seq.) shall be eligible to receive a certificate as an AOSE provided:
a.) The applicant successfully completes a training course or courses designated and approved by the division,
b.) The applicant successfully completes the AOSE written and field tests approved by the division, and
c.) The applicant provides a written statement signed by a current or former supervisor or an AOSE with a current certification stating that the person is sufficiently experienced to become an AOSE.
The application fee to become an AOSE is $100. Additional fees are assessed for Department sponsored training and for the written and field tests based on the actual costs incurred. Complete information on how to qualify as an AOSE is contained in the AOSE Regulations.