Virginia HB1291: Exempts federal geologists from state licensing

Detected March 30th, 2026

Summary

The Virginia General Assembly has passed HB1291, which exempts federal geologists practicing solely as such from state licensing requirements. This bill has progressed through legislative readings and is awaiting gubernatorial action.

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What changed

Virginia House Bill 1291, passed by the General Assembly, introduces an exemption to the state's professional geologist licensing requirements. Specifically, it exempts officers, employees, agents, or contractors of the United States when practicing geology solely in their federal capacity. This change aims to streamline operations for federal geological work within the state.

Regulated entities, particularly those employing or contracting with federal geologists in Virginia, should note this exemption. While the bill has passed both houses and is awaiting gubernatorial action, compliance officers should ensure their internal policies and licensing verification processes reflect this new exemption once it becomes law. No specific compliance deadline is provided, but the bill is expected to become effective upon the Governor's approval.

What to do next

Review internal policies regarding professional geologist licensing to incorporate the federal exemption.
Update any relevant contractor or employee verification processes to account for federal geologists.

Source document (simplified)

VA HB1291 | 2026 | Regular Regular Session

Virginia House Bill 1291

VA State Legislature page for HB1291
- Summary
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Status

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: Enrolled on March 14 2026 - 75% progression
Action: 2026-03-25 - Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [HTML]

Summary

Professions and occupations; regulation of geologists; exemptions. Exempts the practice of geology by any officer, employee, agent, or contractor of the United States of America when practicing solely as such from the licensing requirements for professional geologists.
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Title

Geologists; regulations, exemptions.

Roll Calls

2026-03-09 - Senate - Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Y: 40 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2026-03-06 - Senate - Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Y: 39 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 1) [PASS]
2026-03-04 - Senate - Reported from General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N) (Y: 15 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2026-02-09 - House - Read third time and passed House (95-Y 1-N 0-A) (Y: 95 N: 1 NV: 0 Abs: 4) [PASS]
2026-02-03 - House - Reported from General Laws (21-Y 0-N) (Y: 21 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 1) [PASS]
2026-01-29 - House - Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N) (Y: 9 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 1) [PASS]

History

| Date | Chamber | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-25 | | Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 |
| 2026-03-25 | House | Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026 |
| 2026-03-16 | House | Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1291) |
| 2026-03-14 | Senate | Signed by President |
| 2026-03-14 | House | Signed by Speaker |
| 2026-03-14 | House | Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1291ER) |
| 2026-03-14 | House | Enrolled |
| 2026-03-09 | Senate | Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) |
| 2026-03-09 | Senate | Read third time |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | Rules suspended |
| 2026-03-04 | Senate | Reported from General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N) |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) |
| 2026-02-09 | House | Read third time and passed House (95-Y 1-N 0-A) |
| 2026-02-06 | House | Read second time and engrossed |
| 2026-02-05 | House | Read first time |
| 2026-02-03 | House | Reported from General Laws (21-Y 0-N) |
| 2026-01-29 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N) |
| 2026-01-28 | House | Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1291) |
| 2026-01-26 | House | Assigned HGL sub: Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process |
| 2026-01-14 | House | Referred to Committee on General Laws |
| 2026-01-14 | House | Presented and ordered printed 26101526D |

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