Virginia delegate Wiley files legislation to amend geology licensing and procurement standards

State Del. Bill Wiley, as sponsor, has introduced a bill seeking to update professional standards and licensing processes for geologists in Virginia, according to the Virginia State House.

The measure, known as HB1289, was submitted on Jan. 14, 2026, during the 2026 regular session, and officially titled: “Geologists; added to definition of ‘professional services,’ continuing education.”

Here is a summary based on the bill text, with some interpretive detail for clarity.

The bill proposes to include geology in the definition of professional services under Virginia’s public procurement law and revise licensing regulations for geologists. It empowers the Board for Geology to waive examination requirements for applicants with at least 12 years of relevant geological experience or those holding current geology licenses from other U.S. jurisdictions with equivalent standards. Additionally, the bill instructs the board to establish a continuing education requirement of 8 hours each year for license renewal or reinstatement, defining course topics, instructor qualifications, assessment, documentation, and credit-hour calculations.

Rep. Bill Wiley (Republican-32nd District) introduced the measure along with co-sponsors Rep. Shelly A. Simonds (Democrat-70th District) and Rep. Amy J. Laufer (Democrat-55th District).

Since the session began, Wiley has sponsored 3 additional bills.

Wiley holds a Bachelor of Science from George Mason University, earned in 1993.

The Republican lawmaker was elected to the Virginia State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 32nd House district, succeeding David Reid.

In Virginia, the legislative process starts with a bill’s introduction in either the House of Delegates or the Senate. After referral to one or more committees for review and possible amendment, a bill may advance for debate and votes in both legislative chambers. If approved by both, it proceeds to the governor, who may sign, veto, or permit the bill to become law without signature. The Virginia General Assembly convenes for its regular session each year beginning the second Monday in January. Lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills per session, but only a fraction become law.