SB 492 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Geologists; added to definition of "professional services," continuing education.

Summary
Professions and occupations; regulation of geologists. Adds geology to the definition of "professional services" as used in the Virginia Public Procurement Act. The bill also eliminates the option for the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists to waive the examination requirement for licensure as a professional geologist for an applicant who has at least 12 years of geological work. The bill also requires the Board to promulgate regulations governing continuing education requirements for geologists licensed by the Board that require the completion of eight hours annually in continuing education for any license renewal or reinstatement. This bill is identical to HB 1289.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
SB 492 was officially enacted into law as Chapter 463 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The text includes the full statutory language for regulating geologists, specifically adding new requirements for continuing education and amending existing waiver provisions for licensure.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new section (54.1-2208.5) mandating that geologists complete eight hours of continuing education annually to renew or reinstate their license, with specific rules on content, credit calculation, and carryover limits.

TECHNICAL

Added official chapter metadata including the chapter number (463), approval date (April 8, 2026), and formatting consistent with enacted Virginia legislation.

Converted the bill text from a draft format to the final enacted format, removing editorial markers and standardizing line breaks and spacing.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 23, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2026

How they voted

380
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 39
Jan 23, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
10
Committee
4
Apr 8, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 463 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB492ER)
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from General Laws (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Stella Pekarsky
Stella Pekarsky
DDemocratic
VA
36