7840-7855
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
SECTION 7840-7855
7840. An application for registration as a geologist or for registration as a geophysicist shall be made to the board on a form prescribed by it and shall be accompanied by the application fee fixed by this chapter. 7841. An applicant for registration as a geologist shall have all the following qualifications: (a) Not have committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. (b) Graduation with a major in geological sciences from college or university. (c) Have a documented record of a minimum of five years of professional geological experience of a character satisfactory to the board, demonstrating that the applicant is qualified to assume responsible charge of this work upon licensure as a geologist. This experience shall be gained under the supervision of a geologist or geophysicist licensed in this or any other state, or under the supervision of others who, in the opinion of the board, have the training and experience to have responsible charge of geological work. Professional geological work does not include routine sampling, laboratory work, or geological drafting. Each year of undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one-half year of training up to a maximum of two years, and each year of graduate study or research counts as a year of training. Teaching in the geological sciences at college level shall be credited year for year toward meeting the requirement in this category, provided that the total teaching experience includes six semester units per semester, or equivalent if on the quarter system, of upper division or graduate courses. Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, and teaching, individually, or in any combination thereof, shall in no case exceed a total of three years towards meeting the requirement for at least five years of professional geological work as set forth above. The ability of the applicant shall have been demonstrated by the applicant having performed the work in a responsible position, as the term "responsible position" is defined in regulations adopted by the board. The adequacy of the required supervision and experience shall be determined by the board in accordance with standards set forth in regulations adopted by it. (d) Successfully pass a written examination that incorporates a national examination for geologists created by a nationally recognized entity approved by the board, and a supplemental California specific examination. The California specific examination shall test the applicant's knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations, and of seismicity and geology unique to practice within this state. 7841.1. An applicant for registration as a geophysicist shall have all of the following qualifications. This section shall not apply to applicants for registration as geologists. (a) Not have committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480. (b) Meet one of the following educational requirements fulfilled at a school or university whose curricula meet criteria established by rules of the board. (1) Graduation with a major in a geophysical science or any other discipline which in the opinion of the board is relevant to geophysics. (2) Completion of a combination of at least 30 semester hours, in courses which in the opinion of the board are relevant to geophysics. At least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, shall be in the third or fourth year, or graduate courses. (c) Have at least seven years of professional geophysical work which shall include either a minimum of three years of professional geophysical work under the supervision of a professional geophysicist, except that prior to July 1, 1973, professional geophysical work shall qualify under this subdivision if it is under the supervision of a qualified geophysicist, or a minimum of five years' experience in responsible charge of professional geophysical work. Professional geophysical work does not include the routine maintenance or operation of geophysical instruments, or, even if carried out under the responsible supervision of a professional geophysicist, the routine reduction or plotting of geophysical observations. Each year of undergraduate study in the geophysical sciences referred to in this section shall count as one-half year of training up to a maximum of two years, and each year of graduate study or research counts as a year of training. Teaching in the geophysical sciences referred to in this section at a college level shall be credited year for year toward meeting the requirement in this category, provided that the total teaching experience includes six semester units per semester, or equivalent if on the quarter system, of third or fourth year or graduate courses. Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, and teaching, individually, or in any combination thereof, shall in no case exceed a total of four years towards meeting the requirements for at least seven years of professional geophysical work as set forth above. The ability of the applicant shall have been demonstrated by his or her having performed the work in a responsible position, as the term "responsible position" is defined in regulations adopted by the board. The adequacy of the required supervision and experience shall be determined by the board in accordance with standards set forth in regulations adopted by it. (d) Successfully pass a written examination. 7842. An applicant for certification in a specialty in geology shall meet all of the requirements of Section 7841 and, in addition, his seven years of professional geological work shall include one of the following: (a) A minimum of three years performed under the supervision of a geologist certified in the specialty for which he is seeking certification or under the supervision of a registered civil engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as an engineering geologist or under the supervision of a registered petroleum engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as a petroleum geologist, except that prior to July 1, 1970, professional geological work shall qualify under this subdivision if it is performed under the supervision of a geologist qualified in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification or under the supervision of a registered civil engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as an engineering geologist or under the supervision of a registered petroleum engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as a petroleum geologist. (b) A minimum of five years' experience in responsible charge of professional geological work in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification. 7842.1. An applicant for certification in a specialty in geophysics shall meet all of the requirements of Section 7841.1 and in addition, his seven years of professional geophysical work shall include one of the following: (a) A minimum of three years performed under the supervision of a geophysicist, certified in the specialty for which he is seeking certification. (b) A minimum of five years' experience in responsible charge of professional geophysical work in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification. 7843. (a) An applicant for certification as a geologist-in-training shall, upon making a passing grade in the National Association of State Boards of Geology's Fundamentals of Geology examination be issued a certificate as a geologist-in-training. A renewal or other fee, other than the application fee, may not be charged for this certification. The certificate shall become invalid when the holder has qualified as a professional geologist as provided in Section 7841. (b) A geologist-in-training certificate does not authorize the holder thereof to practice or offer to practice geology, in his or her own right, or to use the title specified in Section 7804. (c) It is unlawful for anyone other than the holder of a valid geologist-in-training certificate issued under this chapter to use the title of "geologist-in-training" or any abbreviation of that title. 7844. Examination for registration shall be held at the times and places within the state as the board shall determine. The scope of examinations and the methods of procedure may be prescribed by rule of the board. 7845. Examinations for registration as a geologist or registered certified specialty geologist shall test the applicant's knowledge of geology and of any established specialty for which he or she applies and his or her ability to apply that knowledge and to assume responsible charge in the professional practice of geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology. 7845.1. Examinations for registration as a geophysicist or registered certified specialty geophysicist shall test the applicant' s knowledge basic to geophysics and his ability to apply that knowledge and to assume responsible charge in the professional practice of geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics. 7846. An applicant failing in an examination may be examined again upon filing a new application and the payment of the application fee fixed by this chapter. 7847. The board, upon application therefor, on its prescribed form, and upon the payment of the application and registration fees fixed by this chapter, which fees shall be retained by the board, may issue a certificate of registration as a geologist or as a geophysicist to a person holding an equivalent certificate of registration as a geologist or as a geophysicist, issued to him or her by any state or country when the applicant's qualifications meet the other requirements of this chapter and the rules established by the board. 7848. A temporary authorization for the practice of geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology, may be granted, for a specific project, upon application and payment of the fee prescribed in Section 7887 for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days in any calendar year if the applicant complies with all of the following: (a) The applicant maintains no office for the practice of geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology, other than for the authorized project, in this state. (b) The applicant is qualified to practice geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology for others, and is not legally prohibited from so doing, in the state or country where he or she maintains an office for that practice. (c) The applicant demonstrates by means of an individual appearance before the board, or before a committee appointed by the board for that purpose, satisfactory evidence of adequate knowledge in that phase of geology for which the applicant proposes to practice under the temporary authorization. If the applicant can satisfy the board that the completion of the specific project for which the authorization is granted will require more than 60 consecutive calendar days, the board may extend the authorization to a period not to exceed a total of 120 days. Upon completion of these requirements as necessary, the executive officer on direction of the board shall issue a temporary authorization to the applicant. 7848.1. A temporary authorization for the practice of geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics, may be granted, for a specific project, upon application and payment of the fee prescribed in Section 7887 for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days in any calendar year if the applicant complies with all of the following: (a) The applicant maintains no office for the practice of geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics, other than for the authorized project, in this state. (b) The applicant is qualified to practice geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics for others, and is not legally prohibited from so doing, in the state or country where he or she maintains an office for that practice. (c) The applicant demonstrates by means of an individual appearance before the board, or before a committee appointed by the board for that purpose, satisfactory evidence or adequate knowledge in that phase of geophysics for which the applicant proposes to practice under the temporary authorization. If the applicant can satisfy the board that the completion of the specific project for which the authorization is granted will require more than 60 consecutive calendar days, the board may extend the authorization to a period not to exceed a total of 120 days. Upon completion of these requirements as necessary, the executive officer on direction of the board shall issue a temporary authorization to the applicant. 7850. Any applicant who has passed the examination and has otherwise qualified hereunder as a geologist, upon payment of the registration fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate of registration issued to him or her as a professional geologist. 7850.1. Any applicant who has passed the examination and has otherwise qualified hereunder as a geophysicist, upon payment of the registration fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate of registration issued to him or her as a professional geophysicist. 7850.5. An applicant who has passed the examination for a certified specialty geologist and has otherwise qualified under this chapter in the specialty, upon payment of the fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate issued to him or her as a certified specialty geologist. A certificate of certified specialty geologist shall be signed by the president and executive officer and issued under the seal of the board. 7850.6. An applicant who has passed the examination for a certified specialty geophysicist and has otherwise qualified under this chapter in the specialty, upon payment of the fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate issued to him or her as a certified specialty geophysicist. A certificate of certified specialty geophysicist shall be signed by the president and executive officer and issued under the seal of the board. 7852. (a) Each geologist registered under this chapter may, upon registration, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate, and the legend "professional geologist." (b) Each specialty geologist certified under this chapter may, upon certification, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate, and the legend "certified specialty geologist." 7852.1. (a) Each geophysicist registered under this chapter may, upon registration, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate, and the legend "professional geophysicist." (b) Each specialty geophysicist certified under this chapter may, upon certification, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate and the legend "certified specialty geophysicist." 7853. A duplicate certificate of registration to replace one lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules and regulations of the board. The duplicate certificate fee fixed by this chapter shall be charged. 7854. An unsuspended, unrevoked and unexpired certificate and endorsement of registry made under this chapter is presumptive evidence in all courts and places that the person named therein is legally registered. 7855. Any applicant who is denied registration or authorization shall, in writing, be so notified and informed of the reason therefor. Within 30 days after receipt of notice, such applicant may make written request to the board for a hearing which, if granted, shall be conducted as specified in Section 7861.