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CS/CS/SB 404 — Professional Geology
by Rules Committee; Regulated Industries Committee; and Senator Grimsley
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Regulated Industries Committee (RI)
The bill revises requirements for licensure by examination of professional geologists. The bill changes the geological work experience necessary for licensure by examination from seven years of professional geological work experience to five years of “verified” professional geological work experience. The bill removes the ability of an applicant to have teaching experience and credit for undergraduate and graduate education considered as qualified work experience. Candidates must have five years of verified work experience, three of which are under a licensed or qualified geologist or licensed engineer, or they must have five years of verified work experience in “responsible charge” of geological work as determined by the Board of Professional Geologists.
The bill creates requirements for registration as a geologist-in-training (GIT). Geologist-in-training candidates must satisfy all requirements of a candidate under licensure by examination, apart from work experience. Geologist-in-training candidates will be permitted to take the fundamentals of geology portion of the licensing examination prior to gaining work experience. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (department) will be required to register each candidate who successfully completes the fundamentals of geology portion of the examination as a geologist-in-training. Application as a GIT is voluntary and is not required to become a licensed geologist.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect January 1, 2015.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 115-0