Chapter 9 Oregon Laws 2005

AN ACT

SB 80

Relating to geologists; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 672.555 and 672.565.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 672.555 is amended to read:

672.555. (1) An application for registration as a geologist [or certification in a specialty] shall show the applicant’s education and a detailed summary of the [applicant’s geologic work] geological work performed by the applicant.

(2) To be eligible for a certificate of registration, an applicant shall meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

(a) Have either:

(A) Graduated from an accredited college or university with [either] a major in geology, engineering geology, [or] geological engineering[,] or related geological [sciences] science approved by the State Board of Geologist Examiners; or

(B) [have] Completed and passed 45 quarter hours or the equivalent in geological science courses. [leading to a major in geology, of which at least 36 hours or the equivalent were taken in the third or fourth year, or in graduate courses. The State Board of Geologist Examiners shall waive academic requirements for a person already practicing geology on July 21, 1977, provided application for registration is made not later than one year after appointment of the board, and the applicant can provide evidence to satisfy the board that the applicant is competent to practice public geology.]

(b) Have at least seven years of geological work [which shall include] that includes a minimum of three years of geological work under the supervision of a registered geologist or a minimum of five accumulative years’ experience in responsible charge of geological work. [However, prior to the date one year after the appointment of the board, professional geological work shall qualify under this subsection if it is under the supervision of a qualified geologist. The following criteria of education and experience qualify toward accumulation of] The applicant may demonstrate or receive credit for the required seven years of professional geological work in the following ways:

(A) Each year of completed undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one year of training up to a maximum of two years, and each year of completed graduate study shall count as [a] one year of training up to a maximum of three years.

(B) Total credit for undergraduate and graduate study [shall in no event] may not exceed a total of four years toward meeting the requirement for at least seven years of geological work.

(C) The board may consider in lieu of geological work required, the cumulative total of geological work or geological research [of] completed by persons teaching at the college or university level, provided such work or research is equivalent to the professional requirements specified in this subsection.

[(D) The ability of the applicant shall have been demonstrated by having performed the work in a responsible position as determined by the board. The adequacy of the required supervision and experience shall be determined by the board in accordance with standards set forth in rules adopted by it.]

(D) The board shall determine the applicability of geological work by reviewing the applicant’s documented and referenced geological work history in a responsible position. The board shall determine the adequacy of the required supervision and experience in accordance with standards adopted by rule by the board.

(c) [Successfully pass such examinations] Have successfully fulfilled the examination requirements, established by the board, designed to demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skill to exercise the responsibilities of the public practice of geology. [The board shall waive the examination requirement for registration as a geologist or certification in a specialty of an applicant who makes a written application to the board not later than one year after appointment of the board and who otherwise meets the qualifications of this subsection.]

(3) A certificate of registration as a “geologist in training” may be granted to a person [who is certified as a “geologist in training” and] who has fulfilled the requirements [as] described in subsection (2)(a) and (c) of this section.

(4) The board shall, by rule, adopt the minimum coursework requirements that an applicant must meet in order to satisfy subsection (2)(a) of this section.

SECTION 2. ORS 672.565 is amended to read:

672.565. (1) In addition to registering as a geologist, qualified persons also may be eligible for certification in a specialty. [Such specialties] A specialty may be created by the State Board of Geologist Examiners by rule, with the rules to contain any required additional qualifications. Only a registered geologist is eligible for certification in a specialty. Application may be submitted for both registration as a geologist and for certification in a specialty at the same time, but the applicant must be approved for registration as a geologist before being considered for certification in a specialty.

(2) An applicant for certification in a specialty shall meet all of the requirements of a registered geologist and [such] any special requirements as the board may establish by [regulation, normally] rule, including a written examination. [and,] In addition, the applicant’s seven years of geological work shall include one of the following:

(a) A minimum of three years performed under the supervision of a registered geologist [registered and] who is certified in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification [with the exception on timing noted in ORS 672.555 (2)(b)]; or

(b) A minimum of five years’ experience in responsible charge of geological work in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification.

(3) The board shall establish professional affairs committees, as needed, to represent each of the specialties into which the board determines certification of registration may be divided. Membership of each committee shall include geologists certified or qualified in the particular specialty involved. Each committee shall:

(a) Establish qualifications, which shall include a written examination, for certification in its specialty[, and shall];

(b) Establish a definition of that specialty, subject to approval of the board; and [shall]

(c) Advise the board on professional affairs in which the committee is concerned. [Membership of each committee shall be made up exclusively of geologists certified or qualified in the particular specialty involved.]

(4) Engineering geology shall be one of the specialties requiring certification.

[(5) Certification as a geologist in training shall require graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in geology or geological sciences as prescribed under ORS 672.555 (2)(a) and the passing of a written, or written and oral examination on geological subjects.]

(5) The board may establish by rule criteria for exempting persons applying for a certification in a specialty from a written examination requirement.

SECTION 3. The amendments to ORS 672.555 and 672.565 by sections 1 and 2 of this 2005 Act apply to applications for registration or certification submitted to the State Board of Geologist Examiners on or after the effective date of this 2005 Act.

Approved by the Governor March 29, 2005

Filed in the office of Secretary of State March 29, 2005

Effective date January 1, 2006

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