Board of Licensure of Geologists and Soil Scientists - Licensing - Geologists, Soil Scientists

 

Geologist

A Geologist is a person engaged in the practice of geology. Practice of Geology means the performance of geological work or service for the public, including, but not limited to, consultation, investigation, surveys, evaluation, planing, mapping or inspection of geological work, wherein the performance is related to the public welfare or the safeguarding of life, health, property and the environment.

How to apply

Fees

  • License fee of $170.00
  • Criminal background check fee of $21.00

Term

  • Annual (December 31st)

Requirements

  • Be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a major in geological sciences, or have completed 30 credits in geological sciences at an accredited college or university, or have at least 7 years of professional geological work which shall include either a minimum of 3 years of professional geological work under the supervision of a qualified geologist or a minimum of 5 years of responsible charge of geological work;
  • Have acquired 7 years of experience in responsible charge of geological work, toward which an undergraduate degree with 30 credits hours or more in geological science courses shall count as 2 years of training and each year of graduate study in the geological sciences shall count as 1/2 year of training, up to a maximum of 2 years of credit; and
  • Receive credit toward the experience requirement subject to the evaluation of the board. Applicants with less than 30 credit hours in geological science courses may be given proportional work-experience credits for such academic credit hours as they may have acquired.

Renewal fees and information

Fees

  • Annual renewal fee $170.00

Terms

  • Renews annually on December 31st

Renew Now

  • Fill out the online renewal application and submit.

    The Department must verify that you have met all the conditions for renewal before your license is renewed. Online submission of your renewal application should not be construed as automatic renewal of your license.

Requirements

  • A late fee of $50.00 is assessed for licenses renewed after the license expiration date.
  • Any person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the expiration date shall be subject to all requirements governing new applicants.

Soil Scientist

A Soil Scientist is a person engaged in the practice of soil science. Practice of Soil Science means any professional service, which requires the application of pedological principles and data. Such professional service includes identification and mapping of soils according to the standards of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, consultation or evaluation.

How to apply

Fees

  • License fee of $170.00
  • Criminal background check fee of $21.00

Term

  • Annual (December 31st)

Requirements

  • Be a graduate of an approved 4-year college curriculum leading to a Baccalaureate Degree, in which the applicant has successfully completed a minimum of 15 credit hours of soil or soil-related courses of a pedological nature and have a specific record of an additional 3 years or more of experience in soil science of a grade and character that indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice as a soil scientist and be otherwise qualified. Teaching pedological courses in a college or university offering an approved 4-year soil science or agronomic curriculum must be considered as experience in soils investigations.
  • Applicants may sit for the General Practice examination upon graduation from an approved 4-year college and may sit for the Professional Practice examination upon completion of the experience requirement.
  • 3 years experience in soil science. The 3 years experience does not imply a sequence of obtaining a degree and then experience. Experience time may not be granted for time while enrolled in courses, but summer employment must be counted even though a degree may not have been obtained. Actual field experience in an acceptable apprenticeship program counts as experience time. Each degree beyond the bachelor's degree counts as one year of experience.

Renewal fees and information

Fees

  • Annual renewal fee of $170.00

Term

  • Annually December 31st

Renewal Procedure

  • Fill out the online renewal application and submit.

    The Department must verify that you have met all the conditions for renewal before your license is renewed. Online submission of your renewal application should not be construed as automatic renewal of your license.

Requirements

  • A late fee of $50.00 is assessed for licenses renewed after the license expiration date.
  • Any person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the expiration date shall be subject to all requirements governing new applicants.